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Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe

4.8 from 55 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add Cashews: Toss in the roasted unsalted cashews to add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the salad.
  4. 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.
  5. Combine Ingredients: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to ensure all components are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
  6. Add Chicken: Gently fold in the sliced grilled chicken until it is evenly distributed throughout the salad, infusing it with protein and heartiness.
  7. Top with Noodles: Just before serving, sprinkle crispy chow mein noodles over the salad for an extra layer of crunch and texture contrast.
  8. Garnish: If desired, add chopped fresh cilantro on top to add a fresh, herbal note that brightens the flavors.
  9. 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