Description
This Thai Peanut Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, spicy peanut dressing. It’s a quick, easy, and healthy meal perfect for lunch or a light dinner with a balance of crunchy texture and zesty, rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 2 cups cabbage (shredded)
- 1 cup carrots (shredded)
- ½ cup peanuts (chopped)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped)
- 2 Thai chili peppers or jalapenos (optional – for spice)
- 1 lime (sliced into wedges)
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Dressing: Add all of the dressing ingredients—creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup or honey, chili garlic sauce, fresh lime juice, and water—into a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are well combined for a flavorful dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, and sliced Thai chili peppers or jalapenos if using. Toss gently to mix all the fresh ingredients evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss the salad thoroughly so that every ingredient is coated with the flavorful dressing. Serve the salad immediately with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the top for an added zesty brightness.
Notes
- For extra spice, keep the seeds in the chili peppers or add more according to taste.
- Use maple syrup as a vegan substitute for honey if desired.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a bit more water while blending to reach desired consistency.
- Substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- To make it gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
