Asian Peanut Chicken Cabbage Salad
Experience a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures in this Asian Peanut Chicken Cabbage Salad. Crisp cabbage meets tender chicken, all enveloped in a sumptuous peanut dressing that sings with sweetness and warmth.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup carrots, grated
- 1 piece bell pepper, thinly sliced (red or yellow)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
For the Asian Peanut Dressing
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- Water (to thin, if necessary)
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by washing and shredding the green and red cabbage. Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice the bell pepper thinly. Grate the carrots using a box grater or food processor. In a large mixing bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and sliced bell pepper.
Cook the Chicken
- If you’re not using rotisserie chicken, you can quickly cook chicken breast in a skillet. Heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Once done, let it cool before dicing or shredding.
Make the Dressing
- In a separate bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and lime juice. Whisk until fully combined. If the dressing is too thick, gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Combine Salad and Dressing
- Add the cooked chicken to the bowl of vegetables. Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Serve and Garnish
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual bowls. Top with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro if desired. Enjoy immediately, or chill for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Notes
For extra freshness, chill your salad ingredients in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving. Feel free to swap out peanuts for cashews or add sesame seeds for crunch.