This Thai Chicken Salad is filled with all kinds of delicious Thai flavors and is topped with an easy peanut sauce.
Love Thai flavors? Also check out these Thai Peanut Noodles, this Buddha Bowl with Thai Chicken, or this Spicy Thai Chicken.
When I was pregnant with both of my boys, I had one craving that was the same. Salad. But not just any salad. It had to have ranch dressing.
Now, I’m not a food snob and I don’t put my nose up at ranch dressing – I actually do like it – but I used to opt for other choices. But then when I got pregnant with Easton, all I wanted was a big salad with ranch dressing. I tried to eat other dressings, but I just couldn’t. It was the ranch or nothing at all.
When I got pregnant with Camden, I found myself craving salads again. The need for ranch wasn’t quite as strong as it was with Easton, but it was definitely still there, and only ranch would really satisfy.
Luckily, once I gave birth, that need for ranch subsided. But the need for salads? I definitely still get a craving every now and again.
A few months back, I found myself craving a salad. But not just any salad. A chopped salad. A Thai chopped salad.
But the funny thing is – I’ve never had a Thai chopped salad before. But the craving hit, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
So I made one.
And it was good.
So good, in fact, that my husband and I pretty much inhaled this whole thing ourselves. Abbi did have some, (she is a salad addict), but Josh and I really went to town. And I’ve been craving it ever since. It looks like this craving isn’t going to go away any time soon!
And – you could totally leave the chicken out and this would come together pretty quickly. Or even use leftover chicken. But I actually prepared ahead of time and marinated my chicken. Not critical, but still delicious. But this would definitely make a killer meatless meal as well!
More Thai Inspired Recipes
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet Thai Chicken Wings
Thai Beef Salad
Thai Tacos with Lime Cilantro Slaw
Thai Chicken Wraps with Spicy Peanut Sauce
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Thai Chicken Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Thai Chicken Salad is filled with all kinds of delicious Thai flavors and is topped with an easy peanut sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 cup cilantro, chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- dash of salt
- 1 medium boneless, skinless chicken breast (6–8 oz)
Salad
- 4 cups chopped romaine
- 2 cups chopped napa cabbage
- 2 cups chopped red cabbage
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup edamame, cooked
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- peanuts, for topping
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 tablespoons Thai sweet red chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Thai sweet red chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
For the chicken:
- In a ziptop bag, combine all of the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken breast. Marinate for at least 4 hours – up to overnight.
- Heat the oven to 350F. Discard the marinade place the chicken breast in a baking dish. Bake until the internal temperature is 165, about 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle, shred or cut into small pieces.
For the salad:
- In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Add in the chicken.
For the dressing:
- Combine all dressing ingredients and whisk well to combine. Pour over the salad and stir to coat the whole salad.
For the peanut sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar and chili sauce. Slowly whisk in the vegetable oil until the sauce comes together. Drizzle over the salad to serve. Top with peanuts.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 598
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 1497 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 41 mg
Keywords: thai chicken salad
Pamela says
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe. I’ve eaten it 3 days in a row! The only changes I made were to use coleslaw mix instead of cabbages, and I used red onion, and chopped roasted almonds. Really good.
Deborah says
I’m so glad you loved it – and your changes sound wonderful!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
I made this tonight for dinner along side a stir fry. This is the best tasting salad that I’ve had in a long time. The flavors pair so beautifully together.
Deborah says
I’m so glad you loved it! 🙂
Madeline // Style Me Thrifty says
Yum! I made this for dinner — my husband and I both agreed this recipe is a keeper and will be added to our dinner rotation. Totally delish, healthy, and satisfying! I couldn’t find sweet chile sauce so I substituted Sriracha Chile Garlic Sauce (using a bit less). I liked the little kick. We ended up combining the dressing & peanut sauce into one container for leftovers tonight — any reason you have these separate and not as one sauce? Thanks for a great recipe!
Deborah says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Madeline!! I adore this salad. I kept the dressing and the sauce separate because my husband doesn’t care for peanut sauce so it made it easier for each of us to customize our salads. You could definitely combine them!
Joann Knight says
I can’t believe it! My two favorite items from Panera (the Thai Chicken Salad, and the Butternut Squash soup) and you’ve got them both. I was actually looking for a recipe for the peanut sauce they put on the salads; that’s how I found your site. Thank you so much!
Deborah says
I’m so glad you found me! I hope you love them both!
Susan says
I made this today. It was delicious. Thanks for a great recipe!
Natalie says
Made this tonight and it was a HUGE hit. Nothing leftover. Thanks for this amazing recipe!
Gwen says
That’s so funny, when I was pregnant I couldn’t choke down a salad… and I loooveee salad! This looks so dang good, especially the dressings! Pinning this and can’t wait to make and devour!
Vera says
I made this the other night for diner – it was excellent!!!
pamela says
thank you for including a photo of the dish when the recipe is printed! excited to try this thai salad, and the wontons, too!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh, wow! This salad looks so satisfying 🙂 I’d love to have this right now!
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
Confession I am a total salad junkie and I could totally dive head first into that first photo!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
This sounds so delish!!
Melissa Klotz says
This looks so yummy! I LOVE chopped salads. I can’t stand the awkwardness of trying to get as many salad elements as possible onto a fork with large pieces of lettuce and shoving it in your mouth. So much work. Chopped is the way to go!
Anna says
What a gorgeous salad! And I love, love, love the new look!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This looks so delicious and I am loving all of the colors! I will have to try making a vegetarian version with seitan.
Kalyn says
Oh yes, love everything about this.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
What a gorgeous salad Deborah!! I love everything about it and now I’m totally craving this 🙂
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
I love it when I crave salad. And this one is right up my alley. Love it, Deborah!
Emily says
Totally making this soon. We love Thai food and we love salads–perfect combo!
Bree {Skinny Mommy} says
Isn’t it funny what we crave in pregnancy?! For me it was Jimmy Johns. I drove like 35 miles to get one every week ;). This Thai salad looks amazing-straight out of a restaurant!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
Wow! I would eat salad for every meal if they looked this amazing!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
This is such a gorgeous, colorful salad Deborah! I love it!
Joanne says
I’ve yet to meet a thai-inspired dish that I didn’t love and this is no exception! Definitely trying a meatless version of this!
Chels R. says
This looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever had a Thai Chopped Salad before, but I think once the weather stays warmer for longer periods of time, I’ll be trying this salad out!
kristy says
That salad dressing alone is worth craving! This looks delicious and having learned that we enjoy Thai flavors, I know this would go over well here. The kids and I have salad night every Monday evening when Mike is at work. I think I’ll be adding this one to the mix! Thank you for the shout-out as well Deborah. 🙂
Andi says
Oh my gosh!!! Thank you for this – it’s what I ALWAYS order at Panera. I craved it during my whole pregnancy and probably ate it twice a week as there is a Panera within walking distance from my house. My husband will love you forever for saving us the money 😉
marcie@flavorthemoments. says
This is definitely being made very soon! I adore Thai flavors!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love these Thai flavors!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I could eat this by the bowl full! I adore Thai food!!
Kathy says
This sounds wonderful! I need to make this soon!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Ooooh, this salad. Omnomnomnomnomnom 🙂
Danielle says
Going on the menu for next week! Sounds great 🙂
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
FA-BEW-LUSH.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Now that is one awesome looking salad!!!
Tieghan says
Ah!! Duh! Just noticed you think my thai shrimp!! Thank you!! I am so glad you liked it!
carrian says
Gorgeous photos lady!!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
LOVE this salad! I am obsessed with chopped salads.. I can tell this one is gonna go into the rotation 🙂
Tracey says
Such a gorgeous salad, I love it! I’ve never had a Thai chopped salad either, but I really need to remedy that. This is just perfect for summer 🙂
Tieghan says
I love these flavors!! i think this salad we be one a my favorites! YUM!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
This looks absolutely wonderful! Such great flavors!
Rosa says
A scrumptious and colorful salad!
Cheers,
Rosa