This colorful Thai Chicken Salad is filled with fresh veggies and tasty chicken, all tied together with a creamy peanut dressing. It’s both crunchy and smooth—yum!
I love how quick and easy this salad is to whip up, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Plus, that peanut dressing? I might just use it on everything from now on! 🥗
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Shredded cooked chicken is the star here. For a quicker option, using rotisserie chicken works great. You can also swap it for tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian choice.
Cabbage: A mix of green and purple cabbage adds color and crunch! If cabbage isn’t available, try using Romaine lettuce or shredded kale instead to maintain that satisfying texture.
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter gives the dressing its rich flavor. If you’re peanut-free, cashew butter or sunbutter can be fantastic alternatives.
Honey or Maple Syrup: Both sweeteners balance the dressing nicely. If you want to keep it vegan, maple syrup is the way to go!
How Do I Make Sure My Peanut Dressing is Smooth?
Getting a creamy dressing can sometimes be tricky. Here’s how to ensure it’s smooth:
- Start with room temperature peanut butter to make mixing easier.
- Whisk the ingredients together in a separate bowl. This prevents clumps.
- If the dressing is thick, slowly add warm water to help thin it out, one teaspoon at a time.
Mix until it’s a pourable consistency; this guarantees it coats your salad nicely!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
If you have leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from getting soggy. Enjoy it within 2 days for the best freshness!
Easy Thai Chicken Salad With Peanut Dressing
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 3 cups shredded cabbage (a mix of green and purple cabbage works well)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For the Peanut Dressing:
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust for spice preference)
- 2-3 tablespoons warm water (to thin the dressing)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious salad takes about 15 minutes to prepare. There’s no cooking involved if you’re using pre-cooked chicken, just a little chopping and mixing. You might want to chill it for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld, making it even tastier!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cabbage, carrots, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts. Gently toss everything together to mix the ingredients well.
2. Make the Peanut Dressing:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), sriracha, minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons of warm water. Keep whisking until the mixture is smooth. If you find the dressing to be too thick, you can add another teaspoon of warm water at a time until it’s the right, pourable consistency.
3. Combine Everything:
Pour the peanut dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything well to ensure each piece is coated with the creamy dressing.
4. Taste and Adjust:
Taste your salad and season it with salt and pepper as needed. Adjust the spiciness by adding more sriracha if you like it hotter.
5. Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the salad with extra chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro if desired. You can serve it immediately, or for even better flavor, cover and chill it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld together.
Enjoy your vibrant, crunchy, and flavorful Easy Thai Chicken Salad! This dish is perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish at a gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Leftover Chicken for This Salad?
Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken works perfectly for this salad. Just make sure it’s shredded so it mixes well with the other ingredients. This is a great way to use up any rotisserie chicken!
How Can I Make This Salad Vegetarian?
To make this salad vegetarian, simply replace the chicken with either tofu or chickpeas for protein. Both options provide a nice texture and will soak up the delicious peanut dressing!
Can I Prep This Salad in Advance?
Yes, you can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time; just store them separately from the dressing to keep the veggies fresh and crunchy. Combine everything and add the dressing just before serving for the best taste.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep for up to 2-3 days. If you’ve dressed it, it’s best to eat it within a day for freshness; otherwise, separate the dressing until you’re ready to enjoy!
