If you’ve been craving a salad that bursts with layers of vibrant flavors and satisfying textures, you’re absolutely going to adore this Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe. It’s a perfect harmony of tender shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, fresh herbs, and a luscious, creamy peanut dressing that ties everything together with a kick of sweet, tangy, and spicy goodness. Whether you need a quick lunch or a light dinner that feels both nutritious and indulgent, this dish delivers excitement in every bite and is sure to become one of your weeknight favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe lies in its simplicity and the thoughtful selection of ingredients. Each item plays a crucial role, from the crunchy cabbage adding a refreshing bite, to the creamy peanut butter that gives the dressing its signature richness, all balanced by the zing of lime and subtle heat from the chili peppers.
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded): Use leftover roasted chicken or quickly poach some fresh chicken breasts for tender protein.
- 2 cups cabbage (shredded): Adds a crisp texture and mild sweetness to the salad base.
- 1 cup carrots (shredded): Brings natural sweetness and an appealing bright orange color.
- ½ cup peanuts (chopped): Offers crunch and nutty depth—toast them lightly for extra flavor.
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped): Infuses the salad with fresh, herbal notes that are essential in Thai cuisine.
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped): Provides a subtle sharpness and color contrast.
- 2 Thai chili peppers or jalapenos (optional – for spice): Add heat to taste; skip or reduce if you prefer milder dishes.
- 1 lime (sliced into wedges): Fresh lime wedges for squeezing onto the salad bring brightness and acidity.
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient in the dressing, delivering richness and creaminess.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Adds umami and a salty depth to balance the sweetness.
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil: Brings a toasty aroma and subtle nuttiness to the dressing.
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar: Gives a gentle tang without overpowering the other flavors.
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey): Sweetens the dressing naturally and balances the spice and acidity.
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce: Intensifies the spicy kick and adds garlic undertones.
- ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice: Enhances the citrus notes in the dressing for a fresh finish.
- 1 tablespoon water: Helps adjust the consistency of the dressing for perfect coating.
How to Make Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Make the Peanut Dressing
Start by combining all the dressing ingredients—creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, fresh lime juice, and water—into a blender. Blend until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This dressing is the heart of your Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe, bringing everything together with its luscious texture and bold, balanced flavor profile.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base
In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, green onions, and diced chili peppers if you’re adding some heat. Each component adds a new taste and texture, creating a vibrant and colorful mix that’s as satisfying as it is beautiful.
Step 3: Combine and Toss
Pour the freshly prepared peanut dressing over your salad mixture and toss everything together thoroughly until every bite is coated with that irresistible peanut sauce. This is where the magic of the Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe truly comes alive!
How to Serve Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For the perfect finishing touch, garnish your salad with extra chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges on the side so everyone can add a bright splash of citrus just before digging in, elevating the vibrant Thai flavors.
Side Dishes
This salad is lovely all on its own, but if you want to turn it into a more substantial meal, pair it with steamed jasmine rice or some crunchy spring rolls. The mild sides complement the peanut sauce beautifully without overshadowing the freshness of your salad.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe in crisp lettuce cups or inside halved avocado shells. These creative presentations add another layer of texture and make serving a breeze for entertaining guests or family dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combining them just before serving preserves the crispness of the vegetables and the integrity of the peanut dressing.
Freezing
Because this salad features fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing, it’s best not to freeze. Freezing could compromise the texture and flavor of the ingredients, especially the cabbage and peanut dressing.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy warmed chicken from the salad, remove the chicken portion and gently reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before adding it back to the chilled vegetables and dressing for a delightful warm-and-cold combo experience.
FAQs
Can I use peanut butter alternatives in this Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you have allergies or prefer a different nut flavor. Just note that it may slightly change the overall taste but will still keep the creamy texture.
How spicy is this salad? Can I make it milder?
The spice level comes mainly from the Thai chili peppers and chili garlic sauce. Feel free to reduce or omit these ingredients if you want a milder salad. You can always add a pinch of chili flakes to individual servings for extra heat.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep lunches?
Yes, the Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe is fantastic for meal prep. Keep the dressing separate from the salad until you’re ready to eat to maintain freshness and crunchiness throughout the week.
What can I substitute for fresh cilantro if I don’t like its flavor?
If cilantro isn’t your thing, fresh parsley or basil are great alternatives. They will bring a fresh herbaceous note but a bit different profile than cilantro’s citrusy flavor.
Can I add other vegetables to the salad?
Definitely! Feel free to include cucumber slices, bell peppers, or snap peas. These additions will add even more texture and color, making the Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe your own unique creation.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe that makes it a joy to prepare and even more delightful to eat. It’s packed with fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and satisfying textures—all coming together into a simple dish that never feels ordinary. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to add a fresh, fun, and flavorful meal to their rotation. Give it a try and watch it quickly become your new favorite go-to salad!
Print
Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Thai Peanut Chicken Salad that combines shredded chicken and fresh vegetables with a creamy, spicy peanut dressing. This quick and easy recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet notes, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal suitable for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 2 cups cabbage (shredded)
- 1 cup carrots (shredded)
- ½ cup peanuts (chopped)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped)
- 2 Thai chili peppers or jalapenos (optional – for spice)
- 1 lime (sliced into wedges)
Thai Peanut Dressing
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- ½ teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Add all of the ingredients for the Thai peanut dressing—peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and water—into a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring the flavors are well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cooked chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, and optional Thai chili peppers or jalapenos for added spice, mixing well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the freshly blended peanut dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything thoroughly to coat all the salad ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately, accompanied by lime wedges on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over individual servings to add brightness and additional tang.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, replace cooked chicken with crispy tofu or chickpeas.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding or omitting the chili peppers.
- Use natural peanut butter for a healthier dressing.
- Optional: Garnish with extra chopped peanuts or fresh herbs for added texture and flavor.
- Salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day; keep dressing separate until ready to serve.
