Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe

Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe

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This vibrant, flavor-packed salad is a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory. With tender shredded chicken, crisp veggies, juicy mandarin oranges, and a rich, tangy peanut dressing, it’s a refreshing yet satisfying dish. It’s great for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal. Plus, it comes together in just 15 minutes—making it a hassle-free, delicious option for any day of the week!

 Prep Time: 10 minutes

 Assembling & Tossing: 5 minutes

 Total Time: 15 minutes

This refreshing salad combines shredded chicken, crunchy veggies, citrusy mandarin oranges, and a creamy peanut dressing for a perfect mix of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)

1 cup shredded purple cabbage

1 cup shredded green cabbage

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 cup mandarin orange segments

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup roasted peanuts (for crunch!)

Lime wedges (for garnish)

For the Peanut Dressing:

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for spice)

2 tablespoons warm water (to thin out the dressing)

Instructions:

Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and sriracha. Add warm water and whisk until smooth.

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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, cucumber, mandarin oranges, green onions, and cilantro.

Add Dressing: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss well to coat everything evenly.

Top It Off: Sprinkle roasted peanuts on top and garnish with lime wedges.

Serve & Enjoy! You can eat it immediately or let it sit for 10-15 minutes for the flavors to meld.

Tips for the Best Thai Peanut Chicken Salad

Use Rotisserie Chicken for Convenience – Shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and absorbs the dressing beautifully. You can also use grilled or poached chicken.

Adjust Dressing Consistency – If the peanut dressing is too thick, add a little warm water or lime juice to thin it out to your liking.

Make it Vegetarian/Vegan – Swap chicken for chickpeas, tofu, or tempeh. Use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing.

Add Extra Crunch – Roasted peanuts, cashews, or crispy wonton strips make great toppings for extra texture.

Make it Spicy – Add more sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños to the dressing for a kick.

Let it Sit for More Flavor – Allowing the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld together.

Store Properly – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store dressing separately if making ahead.

Nutritional Value (Per Serving, Approximate)

(Based on 4 servings per recipe, with dressing included.)

Calories: ~350

Protein: ~28g

Carbohydrates: ~25g

Fiber: ~5g

Fat: ~18g

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Saturated Fat: ~3g

Sugar: ~10g

Sodium: ~600mg