Most of y’all know that I have a longtime fantasy of being a surfer girl, and yes – this summer I’m still working on bringing it to life with sessions at the surf park, and (who knows?) maybe even in the real ocean hopefully soon. I’m definitely not good at it yet, but you know what? It’s really that laid-back, nature-loving lifestyle that I’m after, and those who live in sunny locations 365 days a year seem to have it mastered.
This Thai Chicken Salad is my homage to those tropical vibes; it feels like just the type of thing that my fave Instagrammers in Bali or Oahu or Bondi Beach might eat for lunch with their toes in the sand. Or at least post on their feed… Anyhoo, my Thai Chicken Salad with spicy peanut dressing comes together in a flash, is the yummiest healthy dinner, and the perfect way to use up a leftover rotisserie chicken. Scroll on for the recipe.
Thai Chicken Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
Serves 4
This Thai Chicken Salad Is My Go-To Dinner Recipe This Summer
Prep
15 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Categories
dairy-free, gluten-free
Ingredients
- 1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, shredded
- extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- 1 heart romaine, shredded
- 2 large carrots, shredded
- 1 bunches scallions cut into ribbons
- 1 grilled garlic chicken breast (or leftover rotisserie chicken)
- 1 mango, diced or cut into matchsticks
- 1 seedless cucumber, cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 small bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
- 2 ripe Hass avocados, halved and sliced (I like to keep the slices together on one end so I can fan them out and make a pretty presentation on top of the salad)
- lime wedges for garnish
for the spicy peanut sauce:
- 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or sambal oelek, to taste
- kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Make the peanut sauce by combining everything in a jar and shaking it up.
- Place the cabbage and kale in a large mixing bowl, drizzle with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, and use both hands to vigorously massage the leaves until they starts to soften and break down, about 1 minute.
- Use two forks to shred the chicken, then add to the bowl along with the romaine, carrots, scallions, and half of the cilantro.
- Drizzle on a couple tablespoons of dressing, and toss everything together to that veggies are all lightly coated.
- Transfer to 4 serving bowls, then top with mango, cucumber, and avocado slices. Sprinkle peanuts and remainder of cilantro over the top, drizzle on a little more peanut sauce, and garnish with a lime wedge. Eat!
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This looks really delicious! But what makes the peanut sauce “spicy”?
1 teaspoon sriracha or sambal oelek, to taste
This looks so delicious, healthy and beautiful! Can’t wait to try it!
Should that say Hot Sauce instead of Hot Water?
Hi Mimi! Hot water is actually correct – it’s to thin out the peanut butter and make the dressing just a bit more pourable.
I’m also curious as Bre is as well, what is the “spice” in the peanut sauce that makes it spicy? I would love to make this but am wondering if it’s siracha, or fresh chile, that gives it the spice…. Any advice would be fab.
Sriracha and Sambal Oelek are both chilli condiments!
Soooo it’s a spicy peanut sauce with no spice? Looks great though, I’m going to add this to my meal prep. I will probably add a bit of sambal oelek to the dressing to taste.
Hey y’all! Good catch – I just updated the recipe with the big squeeze of sriracha or sambal oelek that I always add to the sauce. Adjust the amount to your liking and enjoy! xo
I love anything Thai and spicy. This sounds like the perfect summer salad!
Chicken salad is very delicious, I will definitely go to the restaurant you try
vex 3
Camille,
Beautiful salad and perfect while enjoying my home in Punta Mita MX.
A great surf break just in front….you need to come here to surf!
D
Made your lovely salad ? recipe. Very healthy and delicious ?Thanxs for sharing your recipe. I put in roasted cashew nuts since I don’t like plain peanuts. I don’t like peanut butter in my salad dressing, but now I’ll have to try a different nut butter to seee if I can make your dressing.
How you supposed to shake up 1/2 cup peanut butter?
How well would this recipe hold? Would it work for a few days’ worth of meal prep? Thanks!
Without the dressing, it’ll keep for 3 – 4 days… with the dressing, I’d eat leftovers for up to 1 day after.
so good, made it for dinner tonight, added chopped thai basil and so yummy