Description
This Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining shredded rotisserie chicken with fresh vegetables and herbs, all tossed in a creamy, tangy peanut dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, it offers a delightful crunch from peanuts and optional chow mein noodles, balanced by a savory, slightly spicy dressing with lime and ginger notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 3–4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (approximately 1 entire rotisserie chicken)
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup red cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrots, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup peanuts, crushed
- 1/4 cup cilantro or Thai basil, or both, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chow mein noodles (optional, for crunch)
Peanut Dressing
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (natural or regular)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chili crisp/crunch
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1–2 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar, to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 small garlic clove, grated or minced
- 3 tablespoons warm water (plus more as needed)
- Optional heat: sriracha or red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, mayonnaise, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, chili crisp, ginger, and garlic until smooth. Gradually whisk in warm water until the dressing becomes creamy and pourable. Adjust flavors by adding more lime juice for brightness, honey for sweetness, or soy sauce for saltiness. Incorporate sriracha or red pepper flakes if additional heat is desired.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped scallions, finely chopped celery, chopped red cabbage, roughly chopped shredded carrots, crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro or Thai basil, and sesame seeds. Season lightly with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Dress the salad: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad gradually, tossing gently to coat the ingredients evenly. Use as much dressing as needed to achieve your preferred consistency. Keep extra dressing on the side if you desire a lighter coating or for later use.
- Finish and serve: Just before serving, top the salad with chow mein noodles for an added crunchy texture. This salad can be enjoyed on its own or wrapped in a wrap or tortilla for a satisfying meal. For meal prepping, store salad, dressing, and chow mein noodles separately to prevent sogginess.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for the best flavor and ease.
- Adjust the honey and lime juice in the dressing to balance sweetness and acidity according to taste.
- Chow mein noodles are optional but add a delightful crunch when served fresh.
- For meal prep, keep dressing and crunchy toppings separate until ready to serve to maintain texture.
- To increase heat, add sriracha or red pepper flakes as preferred.
- This salad is versatile and can be served as-is or wrapped in tortillas for a quick handheld meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Thai chicken salad, peanut dressing, rotisserie chicken salad, easy Thai salad, healthy chicken salad
