Chopped Thai Chicken Salad – Easy Kitchen Guide

I’ll be honest. Chopped Thai Chicken Salad is one of those dishes that made its way into my kitchen during a hot summer day when I craved something light yet fulfilling. After all, when the sun is shining, nobody wants to spend hours in the kitchen. 

You want something that feels fresh, bright, and packed with flavor. The vibrant colors and textures of this salad are enough to draw anyone in.

This delightful dish is not just a feast for the eyes; it’s a harmonious blend of fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and a phenomenal peanut dressing that will have you raving long after your last bite. 

I’ve gathered insights, tips, and tricks along the way to make this salad not just delicious but also easy to prepare. Let’s dive deep into the wonderful world of Chopped Thai Chicken Salad!

What is Chopped Thai Chicken Salad?

Chopped Thai Chicken Salad takes inspiration from traditional Thai flavors. The core ingredients include shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy, nutty dressing. The salad is a medley of textures and tastes, combining crisp cabbage, crunchy peanuts, and fragrant herbs. It’s immensely satisfying, not just as a meal but also as a side dish for gatherings or picnics.

What I love about this salad is its versatility; it can be a main course, a side, or even a satisfying snack. The sweet, spicy, and salty notes from the peanut dressing unite with the freshness of the veggies to create a lively dish that’s utterly addicting.

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Why You’ll Love Chopped Thai Chicken Salad

Imagine this: you step into your kitchen after a long day, and all you want is something quick. Enter Chopped Thai Chicken Salad. You have a wholesome meal ready in a snap.

1. Flavor Explosion: Each bite delivers a punch of flavor thanks to the balance of ingredients. You’ll find crunch from the peanuts, freshness from the herbs, and satisfaction from the chicken.

2. Nutrition Packed: It’s loaded with vitamins from the veggies and protein from the chicken, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

3. Make-Ahead Magic: This salad can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge. It’s perfect for meal prepping or a big gathering.

4. Adjustable Ingredients: Whether you have a specific dietary need or simply want to use what’s in your fridge, this salad can adapt to whatever ingredients you have on hand.

5. Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just enjoying a casual evening at home, this salad can fit into practically any setting.

The Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to whip up this delightful salad. It’s probably a lot simpler than you think, and you might have most of the ingredients on hand already!

• Salad Base:
  
  • 1 to 2 large carrots, grated (around 2 cups)
    
  • 3 to 4 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
    
  • 1 medium head green cabbage, finely shredded (about 3 to 4 cups)
    
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
    
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions (scallions)
    
  • 1 green papaya or ripe mango, peeled and grated (optional, for sweetness)
    
  • 3 to 4 red serrano chilies, thinly sliced
    
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
    
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
    
• Peanut Dressing:
  
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
    
  • 2 tablespoons sambal oelek (or sriracha chili sauce, for a kick)
    
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
    
  • 1/4 cup water (for adjusting consistency)
    
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    
  • 1 small knob fresh ginger, peeled and minced
    
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
    
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
    
  • 1/3 cup toasted sesame oil (or substitute with dark sesame oil)
    
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, adds savory depth)
    

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cooking your chicken if you haven’t already. It can be grilled, poached, or baked. I prefer shredding roasted chicken for an added depth of flavor. Once cooked, let it cool, and then shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Grate the Veggies

Grab those fresh veggies! Grate the carrots and slice the cabbage finely. The goal here is to ensure that each bite has a bit of everything, so keep things small and manageable. Don’t forget to chop the cilantro and green onions; they add brightness to the dish.

Step 3: Optional Additions

If you’re using papaya or mango, peel and grate them now. These fruits play well with the savory components, giving a lovely sweetness to the salad.

Step 4: Toss the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, grated carrots, finely shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and optional fruits. Add the red serrano chilies for that spicy kick. Toss everything well until mixed.

Step 5: Whisk the Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, water, sugar, minced ginger, minced garlic, creamy peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, and fish sauce if using. Adjust the consistency with more water if necessary for your preferred drizzling style.

Step 6: Dress the Salad

Pour the peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss to combine thoroughly, ensuring every bit of the salad is coated in that tangy, nutty goodness.

Step 7: Let It Chill

If time allows, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld beautifully. If you can wait longer, even better!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Before serving, toss in the chopped roasted peanuts and sesame seeds for extra crunch. Plate it up and get ready for compliments!

Tips & Tricks

• Batch it Up: Make a double batch if you’re feeding a crowd. This salad is always a hit!
  
• Flavor Options: Feel free to experiment with other protein options like tofu or shrimp.
  
• Add Crunch: Throw in other toppings like crispy wonton strips or sunflower seeds for additional texture.
  
• Adjust Spice Levels: If you’re not a fan of spice, omit the serrano chilies or reduce the amount of sambal oelek.
  
• Dressing Storage: Store any leftover dressing separately in the fridge for up to a week. You can use it as a dip for veggies too!
  

Nutrition Information

Let’s break down the nutrition facts for chopped Thai chicken salad. This is a balanced dish that provides protein, healthy fats, fiber, and a wealth of vitamins. A typical serving loaded with all the ingredients above can contain approximately:

• Calories: 300 (depending on added ingredients)
  
• Protein: 30g
  
• Carbohydrates: 18g
  
• Fats: 15g
  
• Fiber: 5g
  
• Sodium: 600mg (varies based on low-sodium soy sauce choice)
  

These figures may vary based on specific brands or additional ingredients included. Always be conscious of your portion sizes!

Can I Store Chopped Thai Chicken Salad?

Absolutely! In fact, this salad gets better with time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep the peanuts and dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain their crunch and freshness. Remember, keeping the elements separated can ensure the salad retains its delightful textures!

What Can I Serve with Chopped Thai Chicken Salad?

This salad is fantastic on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, consider these options:

• Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Light and full of flavor.
  
• Thai Spring Rolls: They complement the salad and add extra texture.
  
• Rice Paper Wraps: Make it fun! Fill with additional veggies or shrimp.
  
• Steamed Jasmine Rice: A perfect base for this salad if you want to add more starch.
  
• Chilled Cucumber Soup: A refreshing side that pairs well with your salad’s zest.
  

Variations

There are so many ways you can customize your Chopped Thai Chicken Salad to fit your tastes or dietary needs.

• Spicy Tempeh: Swap chicken for marinated and pan-fried tempeh for a vegan twist. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with the dressing.
  
• Mango Coconut Delight: Add coconut flakes and additional mango for a tropical version. It brings out a sweetness that harmonizes with the spicy elements.
  
• Kale Edition: Use shredded kale instead of cabbage for a nutrient powerhouse. Kale adds a hearty texture and can be enjoyable even after a day in the fridge.
  
• Crunchy Quinoa: Toss in some cooked and cooled quinoa to make this salad more filling. It also adds a wonderful nutty dimension.
  
• Colorful Bell Peppers: Add in some diced bell peppers for a sweet crunch. Mixing colors can make the dish even more visually appealing.
  

Chopped Thai Chicken Salad

I’ll be honest. Chopped Thai Chicken Salad is one of those dishes that made its way into my kitchen during a hot summer day when I craved something light yet fulfilling.

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: Thai

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 6

Calories: 300kcal

Equipment

• bowls

Ingredients

Salad Base:

• 1 to 2 large carrots grated (around 2 cups)
• 3 to 4 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
• 1 medium head green cabbage finely shredded (about 3 to 4 cups)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions scallions
• 1 green papaya or ripe mango peeled and grated (optional, for sweetness)
• 3 to 4 red serrano chilies thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds optional

Peanut Dressing:

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sambal oelek or sriracha chili sauce, for a kick
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup water for adjusting consistency
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 small knob fresh ginger peeled and minced
• 1 garlic clove peeled and minced
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup toasted sesame oil or substitute with dark sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce optional, adds savory depth

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

• Start by cooking your chicken if you haven’t already. It can be grilled, poached, or baked. I prefer shredding roasted chicken for an added depth of flavor. Once cooked, let it cool, and then shred it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Grate the Veggies

• Grab those fresh veggies! Grate the carrots and slice the cabbage finely. The goal here is to ensure that each bite has a bit of everything, so keep things small and manageable. Don’t forget to chop the cilantro and green onions; they add brightness to the dish.

Step 3: Optional Additions

• If you’re using papaya or mango, peel and grate them now. These fruits play well with the savory components, giving a lovely sweetness to the salad.

Step 4: Toss the Salad

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, grated carrots, finely shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and optional fruits. Add the red serrano chilies for that spicy kick. Toss everything well until mixed.

Step 5: Whisk the Dressing

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, water, sugar, minced ginger, minced garlic, creamy peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, and fish sauce if using. Adjust the consistency with more water if necessary for your preferred drizzling style.

Step 6: Dress the Salad

• Pour the peanut dressing over the salad mixture. Toss to combine thoroughly, ensuring every bit of the salad is coated in that tangy, nutty goodness.

Step 7: Let It Chill

• If time allows, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld beautifully. If you can wait longer, even better!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

• Before serving, toss in the chopped roasted peanuts and sesame seeds for extra crunch. Plate it up and get ready for compliments!

Notes

• Batch it Up: Make a double batch if you’re feeding a crowd. This salad is always a hit!
• Flavor Options: Feel free to experiment with other protein options like tofu or shrimp.
• Add Crunch: Throw in other toppings like crispy wonton strips or sunflower seeds for additional texture.
• Adjust Spice Levels: If you’re not a fan of spice, omit the serrano chilies or reduce the amount of sambal oelek.
  
• Dressing Storage: Store any leftover dressing separately in the fridge for up to a week. You can use it as a dip for veggies too!

Keyword: Chopped Thai Chicken Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

There you have it! Chopped Thai Chicken Salad is not just another salad; it’s a celebration of flavors, colors, and nourishment all packed into one harmonious dish. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself, this recipe allows you to enjoy a delightful meal in a matter of minutes. 

With variations that keep it exciting, this salad can become a staple in your home. Give it a whirl and discover why it’s a crowd-pleaser. Happy cooking!

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Author Profile

Lori Walker, MS, RD

My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more