Description
A vibrant and refreshing Vietnamese Chicken Salad featuring shredded chicken and a colorful mix of fresh vegetables and herbs, all tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet fish sauce dressing. This light and healthy salad offers a perfect balance of flavors with the crunch of peanuts and the zest of lime, making it an ideal dish for warm days or as a flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (napa or green)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup julienned cucumber
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (chopped)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small red chili (finely chopped, optional for spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, mint, cilantro, basil, and red onion. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly without bruising the fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and chopped red chili if using. Continue whisking until the sugar is fully dissolved and the dressing is well combined, ensuring a balanced tangy and sweet flavor.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss everything together thoroughly until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts on top for added crunch and texture. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately to enjoy the freshest taste and crispness.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding thinly sliced red chili for a mild kick.
- Adjust the sugar in the dressing according to taste preference to balance the acidity and saltiness.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and herbs.
- Cooked chicken breast can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for convenience.
- Roasted peanuts can be omitted or replaced with toasted cashews for a different crunch.
