Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
The Ultimate Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
Are you feeling a bit fed up with the usual, uninspired salads? Do you find yourself craving something with real vibrancy, a dish that’s bursting with flavour and has a crunch so satisfying you can’t help but smile? If you’re nodding along, then you’ve certainly come to the right place. Allow us to introduce you to a salad that is set to transform your mealtimes: the most sensational Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing you will ever have the pleasure of making.
This is far more than just a bowl of greens; it’s a delightful symphony of textures and tastes. Picture this: crisp lettuce, finely shredded cabbage, sweet carrots, and tender, juicy chicken, all wonderfully unified by a creamy, tangy, and utterly irresistible peanut dressing. It’s the kind of meal that feels both wholesome and wonderfully indulgent, proving that you never need to sacrifice flavour for the sake of nutrition. We’ve refined this recipe to guarantee that every single forkful is an experience, making it a surefire hit for busy weeknight dinners, perfectly prepped lunches, or as a vibrant centrepiece at your next social gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Symphony of Incredible Flavours: The blend of the savoury peanut dressing, sweet bursts of mandarin, fresh herbs, and zesty lime is nothing short of spectacular. It expertly balances all the key taste profiles—salty, sweet, sour, and umami—for a truly harmonious and exciting culinary experience.
- Wonderfully Satisfying & Wholesome: Filled with lean protein from the chicken and a colourful array of fresh vegetables, this salad is crafted to leave you feeling full and thoroughly nourished. According to the NHS, incorporating a variety of colourful produce into your diet is fantastic for your well-being, and this dish makes doing so an absolute joy.
- A Delightful Medley of Textures: We don’t call it “crunchy” for nothing! The crispness of the cabbage and carrots, combined with crushed peanuts and toasted ramen noodles, creates a superb contrast to the tender chicken and smooth, creamy dressing. It’s a textural journey you’ll want to take again and again.
- Ideal for Meal Preparation: We all know life can get hectic, but that’s no reason to settle for an uninspired midday meal. You can easily prepare all the different elements of this salad in advance and simply assemble it in minutes, making healthy eating effortless throughout your week.
- Endlessly Adaptable: Consider our recipe a fantastic blueprint. Feel free to swap the chicken for succulent prawns or crispy tofu, toss in different vegetables like bell peppers or cucumber, or perhaps add a touch of chilli to the dressing for a fiery kick. This is your salad, so make it your own!
Ingredients for Your Chopped Asian Salad
To put together this culinary masterpiece, we’ll separate the ingredients into two key sections: the salad itself and, of course, that truly show-stopping dressing. Opting for fresh, high-quality ingredients will elevate the final taste to another level.
For the Salad Base
This vibrant combination lays down a beautiful, colourful, and crunchy foundation. Don’t hesitate to alter the amounts based on your personal preferences.
- Lettuce: 1 large head of romaine or iceberg lettuce, sliced into thin ribbons. We prefer romaine for its wonderfully crisp and sturdy leaves.
- Cabbage: Approximately 200g each of red and white cabbage, shredded very finely. A mandoline slicer is a brilliant tool for this job.
- Carrots: 2 medium carrots, cut into julienne strips or coarsely grated.
- Edamame: 150g of shelled edamame beans; if you’re using frozen ones, just be sure to thaw them first.
- Spring Onions: 4-5 spring onions, sliced thinly on a diagonal for a touch of elegance.
- Cooked Chicken: Roughly 400g of shredded or diced cooked chicken. A rotisserie chicken from the supermarket is an excellent time-saving shortcut. If you’re a fan of this flavour combination, we’re sure you’ll also adore our Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles.
- Mandarin Oranges: 1 can (around 300g) of mandarin segments in juice, drained well. These add a delightful pop of sweetness and are a hallmark of a classic Chinese chicken salad with mandarin oranges.
- Fresh Coriander: A generous handful of fresh coriander, given a rough chop.
- For the Crunch: 1 packet (around 85g) of instant ramen noodles, crushed, along with 75g of roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped.
For the Easy Peanut Dressing
This dressing is truly the heart of the salad. It’s creamy, zesty, and perfectly poised. We often make a double batch, as it’s delicious on just about anything!
- Peanut Butter: 120g of a smooth, creamy variety.
- Soy Sauce: 60ml of light soy sauce, or tamari to keep it gluten-free.
- Rice Vinegar: 60ml of rice vinegar, which provides that essential tangy note.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: 2 tablespoons to create a lovely balance of flavours.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon for its deep, nutty fragrance.
- Lime Juice: The freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime (which is about 2 tablespoons).
- Fresh Ginger & Garlic: 1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger and 2 minced cloves of garlic.
- Warm Water: 60-80ml of warm water, used to thin the dressing to your preferred consistency.
Step-by-Step Guide: Assembling Your Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad
Putting this salad together is a beautifully simple process. Our top tip is to keep the crunchy components separate until you’re ready to serve, ensuring everything stays perfectly crisp.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl or a jam jar with a secure lid, combine all the ingredients for the dressing: peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, lime juice, ginger, and garlic. Whisk or shake with gusto until the mixture is completely smooth. Add the warm water, a little at a time, until the dressing has a lovely, pourable texture. This is our foolproof easy peanut dressing for salad that delivers every time.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a very large mixing bowl, add the shredded lettuce, red and white cabbage, carrots, edamame, and spring onions. Give it all a gentle toss to create a vibrant medley. This colourful mix provides the foundation for our fantastic chopped Asian salad.
- Toast the Crunchy Toppings: This step isn’t essential, but we highly recommend it! To enhance the flavour of this classic ramen noodle chicken salad, break the dry ramen noodles into small pieces (you can discard the seasoning sachet). Toast them in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until they turn a light golden brown and smell wonderfully fragrant. Set them aside to cool completely.
- Combine and Serve: Just before serving, add the shredded chicken, drained mandarins, and most of the chopped coriander to the large bowl of vegetables. Pour over about two-thirds of your peanut dressing and toss everything together until it’s evenly coated. You can add more dressing if you feel it needs it.
- Add the Final Crunch: To finish, generously sprinkle the toasted ramen noodles and chopped peanuts over the salad. Garnish with the last bit of coriander and serve straight away. Prepare to enjoy the amazing crunch and flavour!
Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations
One of the finest qualities of this Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing is its versatility. Here are some of our favourite ways to put a personal spin on it.
How to Get Maximum Crunch
The crunch is what it’s all about! To guarantee your salad remains crisp and delightful, only add the dressing right before you plan to eat. If you’re preparing it for meals later in the week, store the toasted noodles and nuts in a separate airtight container at room temperature. Don’t mix them in until you’re ready to enjoy.
Protein Swaps and Vegetarian Options
Don’t fancy chicken today? Not a problem! This salad is just as delicious with grilled prawns, flaky salmon, or some crispy pan-fried tofu. For a completely vegetarian or vegan meal, use tofu or a drained and rinsed can of chickpeas, and simply swap the honey in the dressing for maple syrup.
Make it a Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
To give this dish a little Thai-inspired flair, you only need to make a couple of simple tweaks. Add a handful of fresh mint and Thai basil to the bowl along with the coriander. For the dressing, a tablespoon of fish sauce (or a vegan alternative) and a finely chopped red bird’s eye chilli will introduce a little extra depth and heat. For more delectable Asian-inspired noodle dishes, why not have a look at these Spicy Chili Garlic Oil Noodles?
FAQ
Your New Favourite Salad Awaits
We are truly confident that this Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing will find a permanent place in your recipe repertoire. It strikes the perfect balance between fresh, wholesome ingredients and bold, captivating flavours. It’s a wonderful reminder that a salad can be the most exciting dish on the table, something you will genuinely look forward to making and eating over and over again.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to gather your ingredients, start chopping, and get ready to fall in love with your new go-to meal. We would be delighted to hear how you get on! Please feel free to leave a comment below to let us know if you’ve tried it, and do share any of your own wonderful customisations.
Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
A vibrant and satisfying salad packed with crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a completely addictive creamy peanut dressing. The ultimate healthy meal that doesn’t compromise on flavour!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a jar or bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, lime juice, ginger, and garlic until smooth. Gradually add warm water until you reach a pourable consistency.
- Toast the Toppings: In a dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the crushed ramen noodles for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, cabbages, carrots, edamame, and spring onions. Add the shredded chicken, mandarin oranges, and most of the coriander.
- Dress and Serve: Pour over about two-thirds of the peanut dressing and toss well to coat everything. Top with the toasted ramen noodles and chopped peanuts, garnish with the remaining coriander, and serve immediately.
Calories: 550kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 30g
Fat: 32g
