Description
Zesty Thai chicken salad brings explosive flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine to your plate. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and tangy peanut dressing create a perfect balance that refreshes palates and transports you to Bangkok’s street markets.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
Fresh Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 pound coleslaw mix
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- Small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional but recommended)
- Small handful of fresh basil, sliced thin or torn (optional)
Dressing and Garnish:
- 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup chopped peanuts
- 3 tablespoons water, or more as needed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon pure sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft a silky, aromatic peanut dressing by whisking creamy peanut butter with warm water, soy sauce, fresh lime juice, honey, sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, and garlic powder until achieving a smooth, well-integrated consistency.
- Fine-tune the dressing’s flavor profile by gradually adding more lime juice for tanginess or honey for sweetness, and adjust the liquid to create a pourable texture that coats ingredients evenly.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine shredded coleslaw mix, cooked and chopped chicken breast, thinly sliced scallions, julienned red bell pepper, roasted chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro leaves, and torn fresh basil leaves.
- Gently toss the ingredients to ensure a harmonious distribution of colors, textures, and flavors throughout the salad.
- Drizzle the prepared peanut dressing over the salad, carefully coating each component while maintaining the salad’s structural integrity.
- Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the overall taste, adjusting according to personal preference.
- Serve immediately for optimal freshness, or chill for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify before presenting.
Notes
- Customize your dressing by adjusting lime juice and honey for a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and reduce last-minute kitchen stress.
- Swap chicken with tofu or shrimp for a delightful protein variation that keeps the dish exciting.
- Enhance texture by toasting peanuts before adding them to the salad for a deeper, nuttier crunch.
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making meal prep a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg