There’s no shortage of crispness and crunch in this Asian-inspired chicken salad! Between the romaine lettuce, red cabbage, cucumber, edamame, and more this is one salad that you’ll never get bored of eating! The creamy peanut dressing comes directly from my gold star Thai peanut salad. It’s been a reader favorite for years, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I could eat this peanut dressing by the spoonful. If you love peanut sauce as much as I do, make sure to check out the recipes below the recipe card which are all made with homemade peanut sauce or peanut dressing. This dressing is neither too sweet, nor too savory. It has a distinct peanut flavor, but the addition of sesame oil adds further nuttiness and depth of flavor. There’s also some honey in the dressing for sweetness and apple cider vinegar for tang. This peanut chicken salad is a very flexible recipe that can be made using pretty much any type of cooked chicken you have on hand. Between the chicken and the edamame, this is a protein-packed salad that will actually keep you full! If you meal prep on weekends, cook the chicken, slice up the veggies, and whisk together the peanut sauce dressing in advance. This recipe makes four generous servings when eating as a main dish (and more if you’re serving it as a side salad) and can be enjoyed all week long!
Salad Ingredients
Both the salad and the Asian peanut dressing are a cinch to prepare and use simple ingredients, including the following: For the Peanut Dressing:
Creamy peanut butter – I use a traditional no-stir variety like Jif or Skippy because I find that natural peanut butter creates an overly runny dressing Honey Toasted sesame oil Apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar) Ground ginger Salt and pepper Garlic Cayenne pepper – optional, adds a kick of heat
For the Salad: Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make an Asian Peanut Chicken Salad
Since the Asian peanut salad calls for pre-cooked chicken, you don’t have to turn on the oven or stove to prepare the recipe. The steps are very simple:
Make-Ahead Instructions
Once the peanut dressing is tossed with the chicken and vegetables, you need to eat the salad immediately. However, you can prepare elements of this peanut chicken salad recipe in advance.
Storage Instructions
Chicken: Can be cooked, then shredded or sliced and refrigerated until ready to use. Extra chicken will keep for 3-5 days, approximately. Dressing: Can be whisked together and refrigerated for up to 1 week. Extra dressing will keep for up to 1 week. Salad: One dressed and tossed, I suggest consuming the salad right away. You could do this a few hours ahead such as for an event or for a work lunch that you mix everything up in the morning before you leave the house, but of course, salads get soggier as time passes so use your judgment here. Extra veggies or lettuce will keep refrigerated for up to 3-5 days, depending on how fresh they were going in.
More Recipes Using Peanut Sauce:
Thai Peanut Noodles with Homemade Peanut Sauce — These peanut noodles are easy, ready in 20 minutes, and packed with so much flavor from the peanut butter, ginger, and sesame oil! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken — Juicy chicken is coated in the most incredible peanut sauce! Serve it over rice for an easy meal, and garnish with green onions and extra peanuts for added crunch! Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, HEALTHY, and the peanut sauce is the BEST!! Great flavors and textures in every bite of these IRRESISTIBLE wraps!! Easy Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce — Look no further from this FAST and EASY recipe for authentic-tasting Thai chicken satay. The chicken is so tender and juicy and there’s plenty of homemade PEANUT SAUCE to dip it into! Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad with Chicken — Crispy fried chicken with crunchy cabbage, carrots, peanuts, cilantro and the EASIEST and BEST homemade peanut sauce that coats every bite!! A salad that you’ll CRAVE over and over! 15-Minute Spicy Peanut Noodles – Drenched in spicy peanut sauce, this EASY recipe for peanut noodles is faster than calling for takeout! Homemade peanut sauce is amped up with sesame oil, ginger, soy, sriracha, and tossed with rice noodles for a great quick and easy lunch or busy weeknight dinner.
