Thai Chicken Salad

Juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and a flavorful dressing make this Thai Chicken Salad unforgettable, but what's the secret ingredient?

flavorful thai chicken salad

Craving a flavor explosion that's both healthy and incredibly delicious?

Look no further than this Thai Chicken Salad recipe, a vibrant mix of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a sensational dressing you'll want to bottle.

Get ready to discover a dish that's surprisingly simple to make and guaranteed to impress!

Key Ingredients

essential components for success

Let's explore the key ingredients for this Thai Chicken Salad, shall we? First, you're gonna need about 1.2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs—cut 'em into cute little pieces, about 4/5 of an inch each. Why thighs? 'Cause they're super juicy!

Now, for the marinade, grab 1 tablespoon of curry powder—any kind will do—a teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of red curry paste, and a teaspoon of salt. Don't skimp on that curry paste! It's what makes it Thai.

And for the Thai peanut sauce, that's where the MAGIC happens: 3/4 cup of natural peanut butter—the kind with just peanuts in it. We're also gonna use 2 tablespoons of red curry paste, a quarter cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons of dark soy sauce, a teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar, and 3/4 cup of water!

Preparation Instructions

cooking instructions for preparation

Alright, let's jump into prepping this awesome Thai Chicken Salad! First, mix the chicken with the marinade – that's curry powder, sugar, red curry paste, and salt. After it sits for at least 20 minutes, thread the chicken onto skewers, about 4-5 pieces each.

Now, heat up 1.5 tablespoons of oil in a big pan. You don't want things sticking! Cook those skewers in batches for about 3 minutes on each side until they look beautifully golden – almost like a little sunshine on a stick. Some people prefer using pre-cooked chicken to save time on this step.

For the peanut sauce, grab a saucepan and toss in the remaining coconut milk with all the sauce ingredients. Stir it well! Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring now and then. It's like a mini spa treatment—but for sauce! Add water to get the right thickness. Keep it warm with a lid while you finish the skewers.

Serving Suggestions

food pairing recommendations provided

With the skewers cooked to perfection and the peanut sauce simmering away, I've got some killer serving suggestions for you.

First, plop a generous dollop of that peanut sauce into a bowl. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts on top – stir some in if you're feeling wild! It's like a peanut party in your mouth.

Pile those satay skewers high on a platter. Now, for extra credit, sprinkle with more peanuts, some fresh coriander, and a bit of sliced red chili if you're brave. This salad offers a similarly refreshing and satisfying experience like the Chinese Chicken Salad.

Serve the skewers with the peanut sauce on the side for dipping. I like to offer some Jasmine rice or even Thai fried rice to make it a complete meal. You're basically a Thai food wizard now! Don't be surprised if your friends start calling you Chef.

Storage Information

storage details and information

Storage is key, and I've got you covered! For the Thai Chicken Salad and its components, I suggest storing them separately to keep everything fresh.

The cooked chicken is good in the fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container – that's if you don't eat it all first!

As for the peanut sauce, you're in luck; it lasts for about a week in the fridge, perhaps, longer. If that's the case, you could freeze it. If you do freeze it, it'll last for around 2-3 months. It could last longer, but the quality goes down after 2-3 months!

I don't think you'll have any leftovers once you taste this salad. But if you do, pop each component into separate containers – no soggy salads here!

Short Recipe Version

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup peanuts
  • 1/4 cup Thai peanut dressing

Instructions:

  1. Cook chicken breast and shred.
  2. Combine shredded chicken, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, cilantro, and green onions in a bowl.
  3. Pour Thai peanut dressing over the salad and mix well.
  4. Sprinkle with peanuts.
  5. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 35g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g