Name: Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 4 cups shredded napa cabbage; 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie preferred); 2 cups grated or matchstick carrots; 1 red bell pepper, julienned; 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1/2 cup green onions, chopped; 1/2 cup wonton crisps or chopped peanuts; 3 Tbsp rice vinegar; 2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 Tbsp honey; 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 3 Tbsp olive oil

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a salad that’s bursting with textures and flavors, right? This Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe hits every note—crisp veggies, tender chicken, and a zingy ginger-sesame dressing that ties it all together beautifully. It’s the kind of salad that makes you excited to eat healthy!

The dish is a colorful salad served in a white oval bowl filled with several layers of food. The base layer has shredded light green cabbage mixed with thin strips of bright orange carrot. On top of this, there are pieces of pale white cooked chicken and thin slices of crispy beige chips or crackers. Scattered over the salad are small rounds of light green spring onions and chopped fresh green herbs like parsley or cilantro. There are also vibrant red slices of bell pepper adding contrast. The whole dish is topped with a sprinkle of black pepper and herbs, giving it a fresh and seasoned look. Two wooden utensils with white handles rest inside the bowl, placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe combines bold flavors and satisfying crunch in a healthy, quick-to-make dish. Every time I whip it up, it feels like a mini escape to my favorite Thai street food market. Plus, it’s super versatile, perfect for busy weeknights or a light lunch with friends.

Vibrant Mix of Textures: The crisp napa cabbage and carrots paired with tender chicken create a salad you’ll crave again and again.
Delicious Ginger-Sesame Dressing: The homemade dressing perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and savory notes that elevate every bite.
Simple to Prepare: Using rotisserie chicken cuts down on prep time, so you can enjoy this salad in about 15 minutes.
Customizable Crunch: Wonton crisps or chopped peanuts add the perfect crunch, and you can switch them out depending on what you have on hand.

A large white bowl filled with a colorful salad consisting of shredded white cabbage as the base layer, topped with thin orange carrot sticks and bright red bell pepper slices scattered throughout. Light yellow thin strips, possibly fried wonton or crispy noodles, are mixed in with the vegetables. The salad is garnished generously with chopped green onions and fresh green cilantro leaves, adding vibrant green touches on top. Two wooden salad utensils with white handles rest inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl is placed on a light wooden board, with a small white plate of chopped cilantro in the top right corner and a wooden spoon with coarse salt visible toward the top left. The setting rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This salad's harmony comes from the freshness of the veggies, the savoriness of the chicken, and the punch of the dressing. Every ingredient plays its part to make this Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe sing. Pro tip: picking super fresh produce and a high-quality soy sauce elevates the flavor even more.

Flat lay of shredded napa cabbage, cooked shredded chicken, grated bright orange carrots, julienned red bell pepper, fresh green cilantro leaves, chopped green onions, crunchy golden wonton crisps, and minced fresh ginger, all beautifully arranged with small piles of garlic cloves and a drizzle of honey nearby, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Napa cabbage: Its delicate crunch and mild flavor make it the perfect base, soaking up the dressing well without overpowering.
Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my shortcut here—juicy, flavorful, and effortless.
Carrots: Grated or matchstick style adds vibrant color and natural sweetness.
Red bell pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch and brightens the salad visually.
Fresh cilantro: This herb gives the salad that signature Thai freshness and a burst of aroma.
Green onions: Adds a gentle oniony sharpness without being overwhelming.
Wonton crisps or chopped peanuts: Provides that addictive crunch to contrast with the tender ingredients.
Rice vinegar: The acid brightens the dressing, balancing the richness of oils and honey.
Reduced sodium soy sauce: Adds umami depth without being too salty.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic packs a punch that warms up the dressing.
Honey: Just the right touch of sweetness to soften the tang of vinegar.
Fresh ginger: That zingy, slightly spicy note that transforms the dressing into something special.
Toasted sesame oil: Infuses the salad with a nutty aroma that’s unmistakably Thai.
Olive oil: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds smoothness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about the Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your tastes or pantry. I often swap the wonton crisps for chopped cashews for a different crunch or add a handful of thinly sliced cucumber for extra freshness. Play around with it!

Variation: When I’m feeling bold, I add a splash of fresh lime juice on top for an extra tangy kick. It really wakes up the flavors.
Vegetarian twist: Swap the chicken for tofu, either crispy fried or grilled, and you’ll still get a beautifully balanced salad.
Spice it up: If you like a bit of heat, toss in some sliced red chili or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes into the dressing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Ginger-Sesame Dressing

I start by combining all the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a lid—it’s super easy to shake everything together until it’s perfectly emulsified. Fresh ginger and minced garlic are musts here for that authentic Thai flavor. I keep any extra dressing in the fridge to drizzle on steamed veggies or grain bowls throughout the week.

Step 2: Mix the Salad Ingredients

In a large bowl, I toss together the shredded napa cabbage, cooked shredded chicken, grated carrots, julienned red bell pepper, chopped cilantro, and green onions. This is when the salad really starts to come alive with all those fresh colors and crunch.

Step 3: Toss with Dressing and Add Crunch

Once your salad components are combined, pour the dressing over and toss everything until each bite is nicely coated. Finally, I sprinkle on a generous handful of wonton crisps for that irresistible crunch. Alternatively, chopped peanuts work beautifully if you want a nuttier texture.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that the secret to this salad’s success is balancing textures and making the dressing from scratch. Here are my favorite little tricks to get it just right every time.

Prep Ahead: Shredding the cabbage and carrots a day in advance means quicker assembly and more flavor as the veggies soak up the dressing.
Dressing Freshness: Always use fresh ginger and garlic for maximum punch—powdered simply won’t cut it.
Crunch Timing: Add the wonton crisps or peanuts just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.
Light Tossing: Be gentle when mixing to avoid bruising the delicate napa cabbage and keep everything crisp.

How to Serve Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

Garnishes

I usually garnish with extra chopped cilantro and a few lime wedges on the side—those fresh lime squeezes add a bright pop of acidity that balances the rich sesame flavor perfectly. Sometimes, I'll also sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds just for a little extra nuttiness.

Side Dishes

This salad is fantastic on its own but pairs beautifully with a simple jasmine rice or even some garlic naan. For something heartier, I love serving it alongside grilled shrimp or sticky coconut rice to keep the Thai vibe going.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun, crowd-pleasing presentation, try serving the salad in individual lettuce cups or hollowed-out bell pepper halves. It’s unexpected, colorful, and makes the meal feel festive—perfect for dinner parties or weekend lunches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers to preserve crunch. Mixed together, the cabbage tends to wilt quickly. When you’re ready to eat, just toss the salad with the dressing and add fresh crunch toppings like peanuts or wonton crisps.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh veggies and dressing, so I recommend enjoying it fresh or within 2-3 days stored properly in the fridge.

Reheating

If you want to reheat leftover chicken from the salad, remove it first and warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Then, toss it back with the cold salad and dressing for the best texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Substitute the chicken with crispy tofu or tempeh, and use soy sauce that's vegan-friendly. Skip the wonton crisps and opt for extra nuts or crunchy veggies instead.

How long does this salad keep in the fridge?

When stored separately from the dressing, the salad can stay fresh for up to 3 days. Toss with dressing just before serving for best texture.

What can I use instead of wonton crisps?

Chopped peanuts or cashews work wonderfully to add crunch, plus they bring a nutty richness that complements the dressing nicely. Sometimes I even use crispy fried shallots for a twist.

Is rotisserie chicken necessary or can I cook my own?

You can definitely cook your own chicken breast or thighs; just shred them after cooking. Rotisserie chicken is just my go-to for convenience and flavor, especially when I’m short on time.

Final Thoughts

I keep coming back to this Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad Recipe because it feels both fresh and satisfying—without any fuss. It’s the kind of dish I’m excited to make again and share with friends, especially on warm days when you want something light but flavor-packed. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your favorites, too!