If you’re craving something that’s vibrant, satisfying, and bursting with flavor, let me introduce you to my absolute go-to: Asian Peanut Chicken Salad. This stunning medley of tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a luscious peanut dressing makes for the kind of salad you’ll actually crave (promise!). It’s as quick to throw together as it is pretty to serve, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, or impressing your friends at your next potluck. Salty, sweet, tangy, and nutty, every bite is like a little celebration of freshness and crunch!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to bring this Asian Peanut Chicken Salad together, but each ingredient has its moment to shine. The colors, crunch, and big flavors all play a part, and with a few kitchen staples, you’ll have a bowlful of irresistible deliciousness!
- Cooked chicken breast: Shred or chop for protein-packed bites that soak up the dressing nicely.
- Green cabbage: Brings that fresh, satisfying crunch—plus a wholesome base.
- Purple cabbage: Adds gorgeous color and a slightly earthier flavor profile.
- Carrots: Sweet and vibrant, they add both texture and visual appeal.
- Red bell pepper: Crisp and juicy, these strips bring subtle sweetness.
- Green onions: Lend a fresh, zippy bite that balances the richness of the dressing.
- Fresh cilantro: Brings all the herby freshness and an unmistakable fragrance.
- Roasted peanuts: Nutty and crunchy, they’re both a tasty topping and textural must.
- Sesame seeds (optional): Sprinkle for a toasty finish and extra visual flair.
- Creamy peanut butter (for dressing): The star of the sauce, providing that craveable peanutty base.
- Soy sauce: Delivers the essential salty depth with major umami power.
- Rice vinegar: Brings a bright, subtle tang that makes the flavors pop.
- Honey or maple syrup: A touch of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Lime juice: Zesty and fresh, it keeps things light and lively.
- Sesame oil: Just a drizzle for irresistible toasty aroma.
- Minced garlic: Packs the punchy flavor that ties it all together.
- Warm water: Helps thin out the dressing for that perfectly pourable consistency.
How to Make Asian Peanut Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prep the Veggies and Chicken
Start by shredding or chopping your cooked chicken breast and prepping all those colorful veggies—green and purple cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and green onions. Getting everything chopped and ready makes the final assembling step truly a breeze, and you’ll love watching the colors build up in your salad bowl.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), lime juice, sesame oil, and minced garlic until velvety smooth. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, whisking as you go, to reach your desired consistency—thick and creamy, or a little thinner for easy drizzling.
Step 3: Combine the Salad
Now for the fun part: in a large mixing bowl, toss together the chicken, both types of cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and roasted peanuts. Pour the peanut dressing over the top and toss until everything is deliciously coated. Every forkful should pick up a bit of everything!
Step 4: Add Final Touches
If you’re feeling fancy, finish your Asian Peanut Chicken Salad with an extra sprinkle of roasted peanuts, a scatter of sesame seeds, or a few more vibrant cilantro leaves for that perfect finishing touch. That’s it—salad perfection has arrived!
How to Serve Asian Peanut Chicken Salad
Garnishes
Go wild with garnishes! A shower of chopped roasted peanuts adds crunch right before serving, while sesame seeds provide a pop of texture and a hint of nutty aroma. Extra cilantro or even thinly sliced fresh chilies give the Asian Peanut Chicken Salad a restaurant-worthy presentation and another layer of excitement.
Side Dishes
This salad is both filling and balanced on its own, but if you want a little extra, serve it alongside steamed jasmine rice, rice noodles, or even crispy wonton chips for scooping. A light miso soup or simple edamame make fantastic starters if you’re serving this for a more complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stuffing the Asian Peanut Chicken Salad into lettuce cups for a fun finger-food twist, or pile it into a wrap for an on-the-go lunch. You can also serve it in a large shallow platter, family-style, topped with extra peanuts and herbs—this turns it into a truly eye-catching centerpiece that always gets people talking!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The cabbage holds up surprisingly well and stays crisp, making this Asian Peanut Chicken Salad ideal for meal prep or a make-ahead lunch.
Freezing
Unfortunately, this salad is not freezer-friendly—fresh cabbage and veggies get watery and limp after freezing. If you want to prep in advance, mix the chicken and veggies and keep the dressing on the side until you’re ready to toss and serve.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat; this dish is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer your chicken warm, you can microwave it separately for a few seconds and then toss it with the salad and dressing just before serving.
FAQs
Can I make this Asian Peanut Chicken Salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap the chicken for crispy baked tofu or tempeh. The peanut dressing is plant-based, and all those veggies work beautifully for a vegetarian version.
What’s the best chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and gives the salad wonderful tenderness. Leftover grilled or poached chicken breast works great too—just shred or chop it for the best texture.
Can I prep the salad ahead of time?
You can prep the veggies and chicken up to a day in advance and keep them separate from the dressing. Right before serving, toss everything together for max freshness and crunch.
Will the peanut dressing separate if stored?
The peanut dressing may thicken or slightly separate after chilling. Just give it a quick stir or whisk in a splash of warm water before using to bring it right back to creamy perfection.
Is Asian Peanut Chicken Salad gluten-free?
It’s easy to make gluten-free! Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce, and check your remaining ingredients to ensure no cross-contamination.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to shake up your lunch routine or serve something truly special for dinner, Asian Peanut Chicken Salad is a total winner. I hope you’ll give this colorful, satisfying dish a try and make it a beloved staple in your kitchen. Enjoy every crunchy, peanutty, flavor-packed bite!
Print
Asian Peanut Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Asian Peanut Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with crunchy vegetables and a creamy peanut dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
Main Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Peanut Dressing:
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1–2 tablespoons warm water to thin
Instructions
- Main Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and peanuts.
- Peanut Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, sesame oil, and garlic until smooth. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach your desired dressing consistency.
- Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Garnish with extra peanuts, sesame seeds, or more cilantro if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- This salad is great for meal prep and holds up well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Add cooked noodles for a heartier version or swap chicken for tofu to make it vegetarian.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
