Thai Peanut Chicken Salad
This Thai Chicken Salad is bursting with juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, sweet mango, crunchy peanuts, and the most irresistible creamy Thai peanut dressing. It's easy to make, meal-prep friendly, and stays crisp for days. See the post for my make ahead instructions, expert tips, and variations.
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
SALAD
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (like rotiserrie)
- 1/2 Napa cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/4 small red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 3 oz. snow peas, ends trimmed and sliced diagonally (approx. 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned, then halved
ADD JUST BEFORE SERVING
- 1 large mango, chopped or sliced
- 1 cup roasted and salted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/3 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped
- Fresh lime for garnish
DRESSING
- 1 5.3 oz. container Greek coconut yogurt (I use Chobani)
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Asian sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Asian chili sauce (like sambal oelek), more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons red curry paste
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried basil, ground ginger, garlic powder
Instructions
Dressing
- Add all the ingredients to your blender and puree until smooth. Add a couple of tablespoons of milk or water as needed to reach the desired consistency. Chill before serving. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Salad
- Add the salad ingredients up to “Add just before serving” to a large bowl.
- When ready to serve, add the remaining salad ingredients.
- Toss the salad with the dressing, adding it gradually until it reaches your desired level of coating (you likely won't need all of the dressing). Taste and season with additional salt, lime juice, and Asian chili sauce as needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
The right peanut butter makes a smoother dressing
Creamy commercial peanut butter (such as Jif or Skippy) creates the smoothest, most consistent dressing because it's already emulsified. Natural peanut butter can also be used, but because the oil separates, it may produce a thinner or grainier dressing.
Creamy commercial peanut butter (such as Jif or Skippy) creates the smoothest, most consistent dressing because it's already emulsified. Natural peanut butter can also be used, but because the oil separates, it may produce a thinner or grainier dressing.