Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded and cubed
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted or raw)
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tbsp ginger, grated
- Water (to thin if needed)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded green and red cabbage, cooked chicken, matchstick carrots, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and drained mandarin oranges. Toss gently to mix all the ingredients evenly without bruising the delicate vegetables.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, lime juice, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. Gradually add water, one teaspoon at a time, to achieve your desired dressing consistency—either thick for coating or slightly thinner for a lighter dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure that all elements are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing without crushing the fresh vegetables.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle toasted or raw sesame seeds over the salad for a nutty crunch, and if desired, sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts to add extra texture and flavor.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest texture and taste, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dressing to soak into the salad for a more developed taste.
Notes
- Optionally toast the sesame seeds for enhanced nutty flavor.
- Roasted peanuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted or substituted with cashews for variation.
- Use cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup based on your preferred sweetness level.
- This salad is best eaten within 2 hours of preparation for optimal texture.
- Gluten-free soy sauce or tamari can be used to make the salad gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten Free