Description
Thai Peanut Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken with crunchy cabbage and carrots, all tossed in a creamy, spicy Thai peanut dressing. This quick and easy salad offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal ideal for warm days or light lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 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
Thai Peanut Dressing
- 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 Thai peanut dressing: Add all 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 flavors are well combined.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, and optional Thai chili peppers or jalapenos for added spice.
- Dress the salad: Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Plate the salad and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the salad to add a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken if short on time.
- Adjust the level of chili peppers to your spice preference or omit for a milder salad.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.
- This salad can be prepared in advance without the dressing; add the dressing just before serving to keep ingredients crisp.
- Peanut butter can be swapped for almond butter for a different flavor profile.
