Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe
This Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a vibrant and crunchy dish featuring grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, roasted cashews, and crispy chow mein noodles tossed in a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal, it combines textures and tastes that delight the palate.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Salad
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup unsalted cashews, roasted
- ½ cup crispy chow mein noodles
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Grill your chicken breasts until fully cooked. Allow them to cool slightly, then slice them into strips to maintain juiciness and texture.
- Chop the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, diced bell pepper, julienned carrot, and sliced green onions, creating a colorful and crisp salad base.
- Add Cashews: Toss in the roasted unsalted cashews to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Season with salt and pepper according to taste to create a balanced, savory, and slightly sweet dressing.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to ensure all components are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Chicken: Gently fold in the sliced grilled chicken until it is evenly distributed throughout the salad, infusing it with protein and heartiness.
- Top with Noodles: Just before serving, sprinkle crispy chow mein noodles over the salad for an extra layer of crunch and texture contrast.
- Garnish: If desired, add chopped fresh cilantro on top to add a fresh, herbal note that brightens the flavors.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the salad and serve it fresh to enjoy the combination of crunchy, savory, and fresh flavors and textures at their best.
Notes
- For added spice, consider mixing a pinch of red pepper flakes into the dressing.
- Can substitute grilled chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Make sure to toss the noodles in last to keep them crispy and avoid sogginess.
- This salad is best eaten the same day to preserve the crispness of ingredients.
- Adjust the honey quantity in the dressing to control sweetness according to preference.
Keywords: Chicken salad, cashew salad, crunchy salad, grilled chicken, sesame ginger dressing, healthy salad, Asian salad