Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce | YumAndJoy

Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce

This Thai Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish featuring shredded chicken, crisp cabbage, crunchy peanuts, and a creamy homemade peanut dressing. It’s a refreshing, protein-rich meal that can be served as a light dinner or a side dish for any occasion. With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, this salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make – Uses simple, fresh ingredients with minimal prep.
  • Flavorful dressing – The peanut-lime dressing is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced.
  • Great texture – A mix of crunchy cabbage, nuts, and tender chicken.
  • Versatile – Enjoy it as a main dish, side, or meal prep option.
  • Make-ahead friendly – Keep the salad and dressing separate until ready to serve.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dressing:

  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha (or hot sauce)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

For the Salad:

  • 4 cups shredded chicken
  • 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup honey roasted peanuts
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds

Optional Toppings:

  • Chow Mein noodles
  • Crispy wonton strips
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Make the dressing – In a food processor or mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken broth, lime juice, honey, sriracha, garlic powder, sesame oil, and ground ginger until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Prepare the salad – In a large bowl, toss together shredded chicken, cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, mandarin oranges, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, and almonds.
  3. Assemble & serve – Add the peanut dressing in increments and toss to coat the salad until desired consistency is reached. Garnish with optional toppings and serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 6
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

  • Make it vegetarian – Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas.
  • Spicy version – Add extra sriracha or red pepper flakes for heat.
  • Nut-free option – Use sunflower butter and toasted seeds instead of peanuts.
  • Low-carb alternative – Replace carrots and mandarin oranges with more leafy greens.
  • Extra crunch – Top with crispy wonton strips or crushed peanuts before serving.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerator – Store salad and dressing separately for up to 3 days.
  • Do not freeze – The fresh ingredients lose texture after thawing.
  • Refreshing leftovers – Toss with additional dressing before serving if needed.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Keep the salad and dressing separate and mix just before serving to keep it fresh.

2. What type of chicken is best?

Shredded rotisserie chicken or poached chicken breasts work well.

3. Can I use coleslaw mix instead of fresh cabbage?

Yes! A 16 oz. coleslaw mix is a great time-saving option.

4. How do I make this gluten-free?

Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

5. What can I use instead of peanut butter?

Almond butter or sunflower seed butter are great alternatives.

6. Can I use fresh oranges instead of canned?

Yes! Fresh mandarin or navel orange segments work beautifully.

7. How do I make this dressing thinner?

Add a little extra chicken broth or lime juice to reach your desired consistency.

8. Can I make this salad without nuts?

Yes! Simply omit peanuts and almonds or replace them with crispy chickpeas.

9. What other vegetables can I add?

Cucumber, edamame, shredded Brussels sprouts, or snow peas add extra crunch.

10. How long does the dressing last?

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Conclusion

This Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing is a delicious, vibrant, and crunchy dish that’s easy to make and packed with bold flavors. Whether served as a light meal, side dish, or meal prep option, it’s a refreshing and satisfying recipe that’s sure to impress. Try it today and enjoy a burst of Thai-inspired flavors in every bite!

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Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce


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  • Author: asma
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Thai Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish made with crisp cabbage, shredded chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a creamy homemade peanut dressing. Perfect as a light dinner, lunch, or side dish, this salad offers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Quick to prepare and packed with fresh ingredients, it’s a must-try for Thai food lovers!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp sriracha (or hot sauce)
  • 3/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger

For the Salad:

  • 4 cups shredded chicken
  • 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup carrots, julienned
  • 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained & patted dry
  • 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds

Optional Toppings:

  • Chow Mein noodles
  • Crispy wonton strips
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Make the Dressing:
    • Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor or whisk together in a bowl until smooth.
    • Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  2. Prepare the Salad:
    • In a large bowl, toss together shredded chicken, green & red cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, mandarin oranges, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, and almonds.
  3. Assemble & Serve:
    • When ready to serve, add the dressing in increments, tossing until the salad is well coated.
    • Garnish with optional toppings like crispy wonton strips or sesame seeds. Serve immediately!

Notes

  • Easy Chicken Prep:
    • Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or poach 3 chicken breasts in simmering water for 15-20 minutes before shredding.
  • Save Time:
    • Use pre-packaged coleslaw mix instead of slicing cabbage and carrots.
  • Best Served Fresh:
    • Store the salad and dressing separately and toss just before serving to keep it crisp.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Main Course
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Thai, Asian
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