Description
A slightly spicy Thai peanut chicken salad loaded with crunchy veggies, marinated chicken, chickpeas, and cashews, doused in a delicious peanut sauce. Go-to summer salads, here we come.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the chicken:
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (natural/drippy kind works well here)
- 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon red chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste (or 1/2-inch fresh ginger, grated)
- 3-4 tablespoons of water to thin
- 1 pound chicken thighs (boneless & skinless), cut into cubes
For the salad:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage (or purple, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup thinly slice green onions with tops
- 2 large carrots, peeled and grated (or sliced into ribbons)
- 1 cup cucumber, seeded and diced
- large handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Make the chicken marinade. Whisk together peanut butter, tamari, rice vinegar, garlic, chili paste, honey, ginger paste, and water until smooth. Place chicken thigh cubes in a glass container or bowl with a lid, and pour 1/2 cup of the marinade over them, reserving the rest for the salad dressing. Let sit for 15 minutes while you make the salad.
- Make the salad. While the chicken marinates, combine all the salad veggies into one big bowl. If you'd like, you can also use this time to chop everything if you hadn't already.
- Sauté the chicken. Heat some olive or sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chicken thigh cubes and sauce to the pan and sauté until cooked through and tender.
- Assemble the salad. Divide salad and chicken into bowls for however many are eating, and drizzle any remaining peanut dressing over the top.
Notes
- Storage instructions: Store in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy within 3-4 days.
- Leftover rice: I love adding leftover rice or grains to this salad for a heartier meal!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Salad
- Method: Combine
- Cuisine: Thai