Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Thai Chicken Salad featuring a crunchy coleslaw mix, tender shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and a creamy peanut dressing with a perfect balance of tangy lime, sweet honey, and savory soy. This quick and easy salad is ideal for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 pound coleslaw mix
- 3 cups shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh scallions
- 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 and pepper, to taste
Peanut Dressing
- 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons water (or more as needed)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, water, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, toasted sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and garlic powder until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more lime juice for acidity or honey for sweetness. If the dressing is too thick due to the peanut butter consistency, add additional water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, shredded cooked chicken, chopped scallions, chopped red bell pepper, chopped peanuts, cilantro, and basil. Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss and Serve: Toss the salad well to ensure all components are evenly coated with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh, crunchy textures and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and added flavor.
- Adjust water quantity in the dressing to achieve desired thickness.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro and basil are optional but add authentic Thai flavor.
- Could substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for variation.
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of chili flakes or fresh chopped chili to the dressing.
