Thai Chicken Salad

This Thai Chicken Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish packed with lean protein, crunchy veggies, and a tangy dressing. It’s light, easy to make, and perfect for hot days when you want something healthy without turning on the stove.

This Thai Chicken salad is an easy summer meal packed with protein and fresh vegetables. A tangy and vibrant dressing tossed in with some shredded chicken breast, crunchy peanuts, cabbage, and so much more.

Why We Love This Recipe

When the weather heats up and the last thing you want is to turn on the stove, this Thai Chicken Salad is the answer. It’s bright, refreshing, and loaded with crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a zesty, tangy dressing that pulls it all together.

We love how quick and easy it is to throw together — especially if you use pre-cooked or leftover chicken. You get a full, satisfying meal without heating up your kitchen. It’s the kind of salad that makes you feel good after eating it: light but filling, clean but packed with flavor.

And let’s not forget the peanuts — they add the perfect crunch and a nutty finish that makes every bite exciting.

One of Our Picnic Favourite Recipe

This salad travels so well, which makes it a top pick for picnics, potlucks, and even lunch on the go. The veggies stay crisp, and the flavours actually get better as they sit and marinate a bit in the dressing.

You can keep the dressing on the side until you’re ready to serve, or toss everything together right before heading out — it holds up beautifully either way.

Why we love it as a family is that it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with lean protein, so it works for almost everyone at the table.

Thai Chicken Salad Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Cooked chicken – Shredded or sliced. Use grilled, poached, or rotisserie.
• Shredded cabbage or lettuce – Crunchy and fresh as the salad base.
• Carrots – Julienned or shredded for sweetness and colour.
• Fresh cilantro and mint – These herbs give the salad that unmistakable Thai freshness.
• Chopped peanuts – For crunch and a nutty contrast.
• Tangy dressing – Usually made with lime juice, a touch of honey or sugar, fish sauce or soy sauce, garlic, and a little chili for heat

Other Food to Pair with This Salad

This Thai Chicken Salad is a meal on its own, but here are some delicious sides or extras to serve with it:

• Sticky rice or jasmine rice – A great way to turn it into a heartier dinner.

• Fresh spring rolls – Another no-cook favourite with rice paper and veggies or boiled shrimps (optional).

• Grilled corn or skewers – If you’re firing up the BBQ, a few grilled additions pair perfectly.

• Thai iced tea or cucumber water – Something cool and refreshing to drink alongside it.

A Summer Meal

Whether you’re hosting a backyard lunch, prepping meals for the week, or just trying to avoid heating up the stove, this Thai Chicken Salad checks all the boxes: easy, healthy, and seriously delicious.

This Thai Chicken salad is an easy summer meal packed with protein and fresh vegetables. A tangy and vibrant dressing tossed in with some shredded chicken breast, crunchy peanuts, cabbage, and so much more.

Other Recipes You May Also Like

• Chicken Shawarma Wrap with Caesar Salad
• Mexican Chicharron Salad
• Cured Salmon Gravlax
• Roasted Lemon Garlic Chicken

Thai Chicken Salad

We love how quick and easy it is to throw together — especially if you use pre-cooked or leftover chicken. You get a full, satisfying meal without heating up your kitchen. It’s the kind of salad that makes you feel good after eating it: light but filling, clean but packed with flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: Asian, Salad, Thai

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Salad

• 3 cups poached chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
• 3 cups shredded white cabbage
• 3 cups shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cups shredded carrots
• ½ cup shredded red onion
• ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• ½ cup roasted peanuts, chopped

Lime and Fish Sauce Dressing (Nuoc Cham)

• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 red chili, finely minced (optional)

Method

 

Salad

1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, red onion, mint, and cilantro. Toss well to mix.

Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, honey or sugar, garlic, and chili (if using) until the sugar dissolves.
2. When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat everything evenly.
3. Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls. Top with the chopped peanuts. Serve immediately and enjoy!