Description
A vibrant and flavorful Thai Peanut Chicken Salad combining shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, spicy peanut dressing. This easy-to-make salad offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors with a crunchy texture from peanuts and cabbage, ideal for a quick lunch or light dinner.
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
- Make the peanut dressing: Add all of the ingredients for the Thai peanut dressing—creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), chili garlic sauce, fresh lime juice, and water—to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, and optional Thai chili peppers or jalapenos for extra spice. Toss everything gently to mix evenly.
- Combine salad and dressing: Pour the creamy peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing. Serve the salad immediately, accompanied by lime wedges on the side for squeezing over to add fresh citrus brightness.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked shredded chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust the number of chili peppers according to your heat preference or omit for a milder salad.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to a day; store dressing separately to prevent sogginess.
- Use natural peanut butter with no added sugar for a healthier dressing option.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a little more water while blending.
