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Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
4.7 from 104 votes

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

This Thai Chicken Salad combines shredded cooked chicken and crunchy coleslaw mix tossed with a creamy peanut dressing made from peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey. Fresh herbs like cilantro and basil add brightness, while chopped peanuts provide texture. The dressing is balanced between savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, creating a refreshing salad with a rich peanut profile. It’s well-suited for a light lunch or side salad that can serve 4 to 6 people.

Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 251 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

  • 1 pound coleslaw mix
  • 3 cups chicken shredded, cooked
  • 1/4 cup scallions chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup peanut chopped
  • cilantro chopped (optional but recommended, small handful, fresh
  • basil sliced thin or torn (optional, small handful, fresh
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Dressing:
  • 5 tablespoons peanut butter see note, creamy
  • 3 tablespoons water or more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil see note, pure
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated, fresh
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the dressing ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk together until smooth. Taste and adjust (e.g. add more lime juice or honey). If your dressing comes out really thick (peanut butter brands can vary), add even more water than suggested.
  2. Prep all the salad ingredients and them add to a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and serve immediately. Season with salt & pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Avoid natural peanut butter for this recipe; use creamy peanut butter to maintain smooth texture and flavor balance.
  • Frozen fresh ginger is easier to grate and reduces waste, so keep ginger frozen until needed.
  • Fresh cilantro and basil add vibrant herbal notes but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • The dressing thickness varies by peanut butter brand; add water gradually to get desired consistency.
  • Serves 4 to 6; adjust quantities if fewer servings are desired.

Nutrition Information

Calories 251kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 434mg (18%) Potassium 423mg (9%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 819IU (16%) Vitamin C 55mg (61%) Calcium 55mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 251

% Daily Value*

Calories 251kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 434mg 18%
Potassium 423mg 9%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 819IU 16%
Vitamin C 55mg 61%
Calcium 55mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.