Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
on Aug 17, 2024
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Asian chicken salad is easy to make and full of flavor. The salad and dressing are packed full of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that will leave the whole family satisfied.
There is no better way to add color to your meal than by making this Asian chicken salad! It is full of vibrant ingredients that are hearty and filled with nutrients. The peanut lime dressing is bright and tangy, perfectly complimenting the flavors of the salad.
I love how easy this recipe is to throw together. You can have the ingredients prepped and ready to go in the fridge for when you are in a hurry. It’s easy to see the salad has a wide variety of colors and textures that create an exciting and delicious dish. I can guarantee you will feel refreshed and satisfied after eating this Asian chicken salad!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a quick and easy option if you need lunch or dinner in a pinch.
- The salad is full of hearty and nutritious ingredients that pair together well.
- The dressing is bright and tangy, and brings all of the flavors together.
Recipe Ingredients
For the Salad
- Cabbage—We use a combination of Napa and red cabbage.
- Red and Orange Bell Pepper—For a mildly sweet flavor.
- Carrot—Grated. You can also grab a bag of shredded carrots from the store.
- Chicken—Make sure it is pre-cooked and shredded or chopped.
- Peanuts—Roasted and salted. You can leave them whole or chop them.
- Jalapenos—Sliced.
For the Dressing
- Peanut Butter—Serves as the base of your dressing.
- Water—To help combine the ingredients.
- Lime Juice—For a fresh, bright tang in the dressing.
- Vinegar—You can either use rice or white vinegar. The acidity balances the peanut butter nicely.
- Ginger—Peeled and chopped.
- Soy Sauce—To add a wonderful, savory depth to the dressing.
- Honey—For a hint of sweetness to counter the acidic vinegar and soy sauce.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Asian Chicken Salad
Step #1. Prep all of the ingredients needed for making Asian chicken salad and dressing.
Step #2. In a large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients.
Step #3. To make the dressing, add all of the ingredients to a small mason jar, add the lid, and shake until well combined.
Step #4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Napa cabbage has very crinkly leaves, an oblong shape, and a light green color. It is often used in Asian-inspired cuisine as it is tender and slightly sweet when raw. Most local grocery stores carry it in the produce section. The reason we use it as a base for this recipe is because it has a nice crunch but is not as tough or strong in flavor as traditional green cabbage. The flavor pairs well with the red cabbage, peppers, and roasted peanuts for this salad!
If you don’t have the salad made or have extra dressing, there are so many great ways you can use it up! I like to drizzle this dressing on bowls made with quinoa, roasted veggies, and chicken. You can also use it as a marinade for turkey or chicken, or as a dip for fresh cut veggies or spring rolls. The bright, tangy flavors of this dressing truly pair well with so many foods.
What else can I serve with this dressing?
If you don’t have the salad made or have extra dressing, there are so many great ways you can use it up! I like to drizzle this dressing on bowls made with quinoa, roasted veggies, and chicken. You can also use it as a marinade for turkey or chicken, or as a dip for fresh cut veggies or spring rolls. The bright, tangy flavors of this dressing truly pair well with so many foods.
How to Serve and Store Asian Chicken Salad
Because this salad is hearty and nutritious, you can serve it as a main dish, but you can also serve it as a side! We love to make it the focus of our meal and add a side of fried rice, dumplings, or Lo Mein. This dish also makes a great, quick lunch if you are in a hurry.
If you plan on having leftovers or keeping this salad in the fridge for an extended amount of time, I recommend keeping the salad and dressing separate. Storing the salad with the dressing already on will cause the ingredients to become soggy the longer it sits. But, if you make the salad ahead of time and plan on eating or serving it in a few hours, you can add the dressing and allow it to marinate. The salad will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days, and the dressing will stay fresh for up to a week!
Expert Tips
- I tend to layer my salad ingredients, just so it looks pretty for the presentation aspect! But you can also just add everything and give it a toss to make it quicker, it’s up to you.
- If your peanut butter is cold or really thick, I would suggest using hot water instead of cold or room temperature water so that the dressing will mix well.
- Using rotisserie or canned chicken is a great way to save some time for this dish!
- We usually use rice vinegar; however, white vinegar can be used as a substitute. It will have a slight effect on the flavor, but the dish will still be delicious!
More Salads To Consider
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Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Lime Dressing
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 small head Napa or savory cabbage finely chopped, about 4 cups
- 2 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
- 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 thinly sliced orange bell pepper
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
- sliced jalapenos, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl add all of the salad ingredients. I like to layer them all so that they look pretty, but you just add them and give them all a toss – it’s up to you.
- To make the dressing, add all of the ingredients to a small mason jar, add the lid, and shake until well combined. If your peanut butter is cold or really thick I would use hot water (the 2 tablespoons called for) instead of cold or room temperature water.
Notes
- I tend to layer my salad ingredients, just so it looks pretty for the presentation aspect! But you can also just add everything and give it a toss to make it quicker, it’s up to you.
- If your peanut butter is cold or really thick, I would suggest using hot water instead of cold or room temperature water so that the dressing will mix well.
- Using rotisserie or canned chicken is a great way to save some time for this dish!
- We usually use rice vinegar; however, white vinegar can be used as a substitute. It will have a slight effect on the flavor, but the dish will still be delicious!
I love a salad like this! So fresh and colorful!