Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe
Bright, crunchy Vietnamese chicken salad tossed in a zesty lime–fish sauce dressing with herbs and peanuts. Fresh, light, and weeknight fast.
Pin This Recipe For Later!
Share The Yum On Facebook
Print
Servings:
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.25 lb cooked chicken breast, shredded poached or rotisserie
- 4.5 cup green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1.25 cup carrots, cut into thin matchsticks
- 0.5 cup red onion, very thinly sliced rinse if sharp
- 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
- 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 0.5 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- 0.33 cup fresh lime juice
- 3.5 tbsp fish sauce
- 2.5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2.5 tsp garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp red chili, thinly sliced to taste
- 1 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or avocado
- 0.5 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp kosher salt optional
- 0.33 cup crispy fried shallots for topping
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Poach chicken if needed: simmer breasts in lightly salted water until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Cool, then shred.
- Whisk the dressing: combine lime juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili, neutral oil, sesame oil, pepper, and salt.
- Toss the vegetables: in a large bowl mix cabbage, carrots, and red onion until evenly combined.
- Add chicken and half the peanuts to the bowl. Pour in dressing and toss until everything is glossy and coated.
- Fold in mint and cilantro. Let the salad rest 5 minutes to mellow and absorb flavors.
- Finish with fried shallots and remaining peanuts. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if you like.
Notes
Variation: Add thinly sliced cucumber or shredded purple cabbage for extra color and crunch. Short on time? Use warm rotisserie chicken and double the herbs. For a spicier kick, stir in a touch of chili garlic sauce.
Make-ahead tip: Toss veggies and herbs, keep chicken and dressing separate, and combine just before serving. Leftovers keep well for 1 day, though the cabbage will soften.
This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.