Description
This isn’t your average sad desk salad. Thai Chicken Salad is a texture-packed, flavor-exploding combo of crunchy cabbage, juicy shredded chicken, fresh herbs, crisp veggies, roasted peanuts, and the real star—a creamy, tangy, slightly spicy peanut dressing that brings it all together. It’s light but filling, fresh but rich, and somehow even better the next day. Whether you serve it as a meal prep lunch or dinner on a hot day, this salad brings serious satisfaction without ever touching a boring lettuce leaf.
Ingredients
For the Salad
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (grilled, rotisserie, or poached works)
3 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage (or just more green if that’s what you’ve got)
1 large carrot, julienned or shredded
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (optional but really nice)
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
For the Peanut Dressing
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice (plus more to taste)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1–2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for heat)
1–2 tablespoons warm water, to thin
Instructions
Step 1: Make That Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and sriracha. Add warm water a little at a time until it’s smooth and pourable. Taste and adjust the balance—more lime if it needs brightness, more honey if it needs sweetening, or more sriracha if you want a kick.
Step 2: Toss the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, herbs, and green onions. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the top and toss everything together until it’s nicely coated.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and extra herbs for that final fresh crunch.
Notes
Serve chilled or at room temp
Wrap it up in rice paper rolls or lettuce leaves for a fun hand-held version
Add rice noodles or quinoa to bulk it up into a grain bowl
Top with a jammy egg or crispy tofu for extra protein
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~490 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~25g per serving
- Protein: ~34g per serving