Summers sizzle with vibrant flavors that dance across your palate, and this Thai chicken salad recipe brings zesty excitement to every bite.
Crisp vegetables mingle with tender, spice-rubbed chicken in a refreshing blend of traditional Southeast Asian ingredients.
Bright herbs and a tangy dressing create a symphony of tastes that transport you to bustling street markets.
Each forkful offers a perfect balance of cool crunch and warm, savory notes.
The recipe combines simple ingredients with bold seasonings that awaken your senses.
Lime, cilantro, and a hint of chili spark an unforgettable culinary journey you won’t want to miss.
Dive into this delightful dish that promises to become your new summer favorite.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20min
Cook Time:
Total Time: 20min
Calories: 210 kcal
Servings: 7
Ingredient Rundown for Thai Chicken Salad
For Salad Base:
Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage: Crisp, colorful foundation that adds crunch and nutrients to the salad.
Carrot: Brings vibrant orange color and sweet, earthy flavor to complement the other ingredients.
Chicken: Lean protein that makes the salad hearty and satisfying for a complete meal.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Cilantro: Fresh herb that adds bright, citrusy notes and authentic Thai-inspired taste.
Green Onions: Provides a mild, sharp bite and aromatic depth to the salad.
Cashews: Adds delightful crunch and rich, buttery texture with a subtle nutty flavor.
For Dressing:
Peanut Butter: Creates creamy, rich base for the dressing with deep nutty undertones.
Soy Sauce: Brings umami and salty complexity to balance the other flavors.
Lime Juice: Adds zesty brightness and helps tenderize the ingredients.
Sesame Oil: Introduces a distinctive toasted, nutty aroma typical in Asian cuisine.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Delivers sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy kick to the dressing.
Fish Sauce: Provides authentic Southeast Asian depth and saltiness.
Brown Sugar: Balances the savory elements with a subtle caramel-like sweetness.
Ginger: Offers warm, spicy undertones with a zingy freshness.
Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that grounds the entire dressing.
Tool Needed to Make Thai Chicken Salad
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all salad ingredients and tossing with dressing.
Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and creating a well-mixed sauce.
Cutting board: Needed for chopping chicken, vegetables, and herbs with ease.
Sharp knife: Crucial for precise chopping of cilantro, green onions, and slicing cashews.
Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients for balanced flavor.
Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements for the dressing.
Assembly Instructions for Thai Chicken Salad
Tantalizing Thai Fusion
Flavor Foundation Dressing blends zesty and creamy elements into a mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary adventure. Whisk together nutty peanut butter, tangy lime, salty soy sauce, and aromatic ginger to create a dressing that tingles taste buds.
Veggie and Protein Prep transforms fresh ingredients into vibrant salad components. Shred crisp cabbage varieties, slice tender chicken, julienne crunchy carrots, and chop fragrant herbs for a colorful mix of textures and flavors.
Salad Assembly brings all elements together in a beautiful harmony. Combine shredded cabbage, sliced chicken, carrots, and herbs in a spacious bowl, creating a visually stunning and nutritious base that promises a delightful eating experience.
Final Toss creates magic by coating every ingredient with the sensational dressing. Gently mix salad components until each morsel is lovingly embraced by the complex, rich sauce, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors in every single bite.
Customization Tips for Thai Chicken Salad
Replace chicken with grilled tofu, shrimp, or sliced beef for a quick flavor transformation that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
Add sliced Thai bird chilies or a drizzle of sriracha sauce to increase heat levels and give the salad a fiery kick that awakens taste buds.
Prepare dressing and chop vegetables separately, storing them in sealed containers to keep ingredients crisp for up to 2 days before combining.
Experiment with different nuts like almonds or peanuts instead of cashews, or add crispy wonton strips for an extra textural dimension that elevates the salad's complexity.
Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for a safe, delicious alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.
Serving Guide for Thai Chicken Salad
Picnic Perfect Platter: Spread the Thai chicken salad on a large wooden board with extra cashews, lime wedges, and fresh herbs scattered around for a stunning presentation.
Protein Power Bowl: Layer the salad over warm quinoa or brown rice, creating a hearty meal that keeps you satisfied and energized throughout the day.
Lettuce Wrap Delight: Use crisp butter lettuce leaves as individual serving vessels, allowing guests to create their own handheld salad packages with the vibrant Thai chicken mixture.
Garnish Galore: Top the salad with additional chopped cashews, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro leaves to add extra crunch and visual appeal.
Storage Strategy for Thai Chicken Salad
Refrigerator Ready: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing and salad ingredients separate to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy vegetables.
Lunch Prep Strategy: Chop ingredients in advance and store them in separate containers. Mix just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy, perfect for quick work or school meals.
Smart Protein Swap: Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or edamame for versatile meal options. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile while keeping the salad nutritionally balanced.
Dressing Durability: Homemade dressing stays fresh in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Store in a sealed glass jar and give it a quick shake before using to remix separated ingredients.
Spicy Thai chicken salad brings zesty Southeast Asian flavors to your plate. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and tangy dressing combine for a refreshing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups (475 ml) chicken, cooked and shredded
3 cups (710 ml) green cabbage, shredded
3 cups (710 ml) red cabbage, shredded
1 ½ cups (355 ml) carrot, shredded
½ cup (120 ml) cashews, salted and roughly chopped
½ cup (120 ml) cilantro, chopped
½ cup (120 ml) green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
Dressing Preparation: Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, sweet chili sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in a mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
Vegetable and Protein Preparation: Shred green and red cabbage into fine strands, dice cooked chicken into uniform pieces, julienne carrots into thin strips, finely chop cilantro leaves, roughly break cashews, and thinly slice green onions.
Salad Assembly: In a large mixing bowl, combine cabbage, chicken, carrots, cilantro, cashews, and green onions, creating a colorful and textural base.
Dressing Integration: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad, using tongs to thoroughly coat and mix all ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
Serving: Plate immediately to preserve the crisp texture and vibrant freshness of the Thai chicken salad, presenting a dynamic and appetizing dish.
Notes
Optimize Dressing Balance: Whisk ingredients thoroughly, tasting and adjusting sweet, tangy, and savory elements for perfect flavor harmony.
Texture is Key: Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent crunch and even dressing distribution throughout the salad.
Protein Preparation Matters: Use cooled, freshly cooked chicken and cut into precise, bite-sized pieces for optimal taste and mouthfeel.
Serve Fresh and Fast: Dress the salad just before serving to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain crisp, vibrant ingredients.
Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.
Mia Reynolds
Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist
Expertise
Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners
Education
New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont
Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.