Thai Peanut Noodle Salad With Chicken
Thai Peanut Noodle Salad with Chicken is a fresh and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, noodles, crisp vegetables, and a creamy peanut sauce with a hint of lime and spice. It's an easy, satisfying meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 ounces rice noodles spaghetti, or linguine
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or sliced
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber thinly sliced
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro optional
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
For the Peanut Dressing
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha optional
- 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water as needed to thin the dressing
For Topping
- Extra chopped peanuts
- Lime wedges
- Extra cilantro optional
- Sesame seeds optional
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the noodles
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain them, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool them down.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables
- While the noodles cook, slice the bell pepper, cucumber, and green onions. Shred the carrots if needed.
Step 3: Make the peanut dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and sriracha if using.
Step 4: Thin the dressing
- Add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is smooth and pourable. It should be creamy but easy to toss with the noodles.
Step 5: Combine the salad
- In a large bowl, add the cooled noodles, cooked chicken, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, and peanuts.
Step 6: Add the dressing
- Pour the peanut dressing over the salad. Toss well with tongs until the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated.
Step 7: Taste and adjust
- Taste the salad and add more lime juice, soy sauce, or sriracha if needed.
Step 8: Serve
- Top with extra peanuts, lime wedges, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.