Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe
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.
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
Saturated Fat: ~3g
Sugar: ~10g
Sodium: ~600mg