Description
This Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish combining tender shredded chicken, toasted cashews, and a mix of crunchy vegetables, all dressed in a flavorful sesame-soy vinaigrette. Topped with crispy wonton strips and optional peanuts, this salad delivers a delightful contrast of textures and an Asian-inspired flavor profile, perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast Cashews: In a small pan, lightly toast the cashews over medium heat until they turn golden brown and emit a fragrant aroma, stirring frequently to ensure even toasting. Once toasted, set them aside to cool.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken breast, mixed salad greens, thinly sliced red bell pepper, shredded carrots, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro leaves, and the cooled toasted cashews.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic until well blended. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mix and gently toss everything together, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Top the salad with crispy wonton strips and sprinkle chopped peanuts on top if desired, adding an extra layer of texture.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad right away to enjoy its fresh, crisp textures and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- For a vegetarian variation, substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this salad gluten-free.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- The salad is best served fresh; however, you can prepare the components ahead and combine just before serving.
- Adjust the honey quantity for desired sweetness.
- Optional peanuts can be omitted or replaced with extra cashews for nut lovers.
