Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
Description of this Recipe
This Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the convenience of pre-shredded coleslaw mix with the protein power of cooked chicken. It’s tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet peanut dressing, then studded with crunchy peanuts, colorful bell peppers, and aromatic herbs. It’s a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or a potluck.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a winner for so many reasons! First, it’s incredibly easy and fast to make, thanks to the use of coleslaw mix and pre-cooked chicken. Second, it’s packed with flavor and textures – the crispness of the coleslaw, the tenderness of the chicken, the crunch of the peanuts, and the creamy, tangy dressing all work together beautifully. Third, it’s a healthy and satisfying meal that’s high in protein and nutrients. Finally, it’s versatile – you can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables, herbs, and toppings.
Introduction
Thai cuisine is known for its bold and balanced flavors, often combining sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements in one dish. This Thai Chicken Salad captures those essential flavors in a simple and accessible way. The peanut dressing is the star of the show, providing a rich and nutty base that’s complemented by the tang of lime juice, the sweetness of honey, and the umami of soy sauce.
This salad is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy meal, or for meal prepping lunches for the week. It’s also a great option for potlucks and picnics, as it travels well and can be made ahead of time. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking – add more vegetables, use a different type of protein, or adjust the level of spice to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound coleslaw mix
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- Small handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional but recommended)
- Small handful fresh basil, sliced thin or torn (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (see note)
- 3 tablespoons water, or more as needed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon pure sesame oil (see note)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Prep:
- Step 1: Prepare the dressing by whisking together the peanut butter, water, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder in a medium-sized bowl.
- Step 2: Taste the dressing and adjust as needed. If it’s too thick, add more water. If it’s not tangy enough, add more lime juice. If it’s not sweet enough, add more honey.
- Step 3: Chop the scallions and red bell pepper.
- Step 4: Chop the peanuts.
- Step 5: If using, chop the cilantro and basil.
COOK Rating:
- Ease of Preparation: 5/5 (Very Easy)
- Flavor: 5/5 (Excellent)
- Healthiness: 4/5 (Healthy)
- Overall: 5/5 (Highly Recommended)
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the salad immediately after tossing it with the dressing to prevent the coleslaw from becoming soggy.
- Serve it as a light lunch or dinner.
- Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or tofu.
- Serve it in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
- Top it with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a drizzle of sriracha for added flavor.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use a high-quality creamy peanut butter. Avoid peanut butters with added sugar or hydrogenated oils.
- If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger instead.
- If you don’t have sesame oil, you can omit it or substitute it with another oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. However, the sesame oil adds a distinctive flavor that is worth including if you have it.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or canned chicken.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe to serve a larger crowd.
- For a spicier salad, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- To make this salad vegetarian, substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh.
- For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition Information: (per serving, estimated)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Sodium: 500mg
Conclusion
This Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing is a delicious, healthy, and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s packed with flavor and textures, and it’s incredibly versatile – you can easily customize it to your liking. So, gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Write 5 questions and answers about this recipe.
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the dressing and chop the vegetables ahead of time. However, it’s best to wait to toss the salad with the dressing until just before serving to prevent the coleslaw from becoming soggy.
Q2: Can I use a different type of nut butter in the dressing?
A: Absolutely! If you’re allergic to peanuts or simply prefer a different flavor, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter instead. Keep in mind that the flavor of the dressing will change slightly depending on the type of nut butter you use.
Q3: Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
A: Of course! Feel free to add any vegetables you like to this salad. Some great options include shredded carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts, and edamame.
Q4: Can I make this salad spicier?
A: Yes, you can easily add some heat to this salad by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing or by drizzling a little sriracha on top of the salad before serving.
Q5: What’s the best way to store leftovers?
A: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to consume it within 1-2 days, as the coleslaw will become softer over time. If possible, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving.
Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
Method
- Step 1: Prepare the dressing by whisking together the peanut butter, water, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic powder in a medium-sized bowl.
- Step 2: Taste the dressing and adjust as needed. If it’s too thick, add more water. If it’s not tangy enough, add more lime juice. If it’s not sweet enough, add more honey.
- Step 3: Chop the scallions and red bell pepper.
- Step 4: Chop the peanuts.
- Step 5: If using, chop the cilantro and basil.
