Easy Asian Chicken Crunch Salad Recipe

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Cooked Chicken: Use any cooked chicken you like! Leftover rotisserie chicken works great. For a lighter option, grilled tofu or chickpeas can be delicious too.

Cabbage: Green and purple cabbage add crunch and color. If you’re out, any lettuce like romaine or napa works too. Just keep it fresh!

Edamame: This gives the salad a nice protein boost. If you can’t find it, try green peas or even diced bell peppers for some sweetness.

Peanut Butter: I love using creamy peanut butter, but crunchy adds nice texture too. Almond butter or sunflower seed butter can be good substitutes for nut allergies.

Sesame Seeds: These add a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch. If you’re in a pinch, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are tasty alternatives.

How Do You Make the Perfect Dressing?

Making a great dressing is about balance and freshness. Start by whisking together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. The key is to get it smooth and pourable.

1. Add warm water gradually until you hit your desired consistency—there’s no right or wrong here, just go with your preference!
2. Including fresh ginger and garlic enhances the flavor a lot, but make sure to mince them well to avoid big bites.
3. The red pepper flakes are optional. Adjust the spice level to your liking, or skip them if you prefer a milder taste.

Once your dressing is ready, toss it with the salad just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh! Enjoy!

Easy Asian Chicken Crunch Salad

Ingredients:

Salad Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup edamame, shelled and cooked
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (white or toasted)
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
• 1/4 cup crushed crunchy noodles or chow mein noodles (optional for crunch)

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2-3 tablespoons warm water (to thin dressing as needed)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)

Time Needed:

This delicious salad takes about 20-25 minutes to prepare. You’ll spend around 10 minutes cooking the chicken and mixing the salad, and then you can enjoy it right away or chill it for a brief time to enhance the flavors!

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:

If your chicken isn’t already cooked, heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the chicken breast pieces until they’re fully cooked and golden brown. Once done, set them aside to cool slightly.

2. Mix the Salad Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and cooked edamame. Give it a gentle toss to mix everything together.

3. Add the Chicken:

Add the bite-sized pieces of cooled chicken to the salad mixture. This adds protein and makes the salad even more filling.

4. Prepare the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and if you like spice, the red pepper flakes. Gradually stir in warm water until the dressing reaches a smooth and pourable consistency.

5. Combine Salad and Dressing:

Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well coated. It’s all about that even distribution of flavor!

6. Add Toppings:

Finally, sprinkle the salad with sliced almonds, sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, optional green onions, and optional crunchy noodles for extra texture. These toppings really elevate the salad!

7. Serve and Enjoy:

Serve your Easy Asian Chicken Crunch Salad immediately for the best crunch! If you prefer, you can chill it for about 15 minutes to let all the flavors meld together. Enjoy your fresh, crunchy, and flavorful salad!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I Use Leftover Chicken for This Salad?

Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken you have on hand works perfectly in this salad. Just make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately in advance. Just keep them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to a day. Toss them together right before serving to maintain the crunchiness!

How Do I Store Leftover Salad?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The crunchy toppings might lose some crunch, so consider keeping them separate and adding them just before eating.

What If I Don’t Like Peanut Butter?

No worries! You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even tahini for a different flavor. Just adjust the amount of sweetener if needed, to balance the taste!