Being a native Californian, I love me some CPK! I used to work in Palo Alto, CA where there is a CPK in town and during my 1 hour lunchtime I’d jump in my car and drive 4 blocks, to make sure I have the maximum time in there to savor my Asian slaw and Chicken Ranch sandwich. I bought some napa cabbage recently, solely with the goal of making this recipe. I have been craving their Chinese slaw and this recipe sounded straightforward and tempting. I used my brand new mandolin (yea!) to shred the carrot and cabbage.

I didn’t have romaine lettuce so I didn’t include it, although I am sure it would have been a nice addition. I used ground ginger instead of fresh, which the recipe author said was fine. The dressing was absolutely fabulous and spot-on for the CPK version. YUM!! I added some fried wontons that I usually put on a normal tossed salad, and some bean sprouts, both of which made the salad even more crunchy. I would make this again and again and again…you get the idea. Here’s my CPK knock-off salad:

CPK Knock-Off Chinese Chicken Salad ©EverydayCookingAdventures 2013

Knock-Off California Pizza Kitchen Chinese Chicken Salad

By: Patti Kay, Food.com contributor, 2011

Serves 2 (double for 4 people or leftovers)

Ingredients

Dressing

• 2 1/4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter (or peanut sauce)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon asian chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
• 3/4 teaspoon grated ginger (about a teaspoon of powdered works well)
• 2 1/4 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3/4 tablespoon sesame oil

For Salad

• 1 large, cooked chicken breast, boneless and skinless, chopped into chunks
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/3 head napa cabbage, chopped
• 1/4 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 carrot (peeled and shredded or julienned)
• 3/8 cup peanuts, chopped (or sliced or slivered almonds)
• 1/2 bunch about 8 scallion (white and light green parts chopped crosswise)

Directions
1. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients, whisk and set aside.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine cabbage, lettuce, cilantro and green onions and toss gently.
3. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and peanuts.
4. Add the chicken.
5. Pour in the dressing and toss.