Description
This Thai Cucumber Salad with Chicken is a fresh, protein-packed meal made with crisp cucumbers, tender shredded chicken, green onions, and a creamy peanut dressing. Finished with sesame seeds and chili crisp, it’s the perfect quick lunch, light dinner, or meal-prep recipe for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 1½ cups shredded chicken
- 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts)
Toppings
- Chili crisp, for serving
- Toasted sesame seeds, for serving
Peanut Dressing
- ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1–2 tablespoons water or coconut milk, if needed
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Using a mandolin or sharp knife, thinly slice the cucumbers into even rounds.
- Place cucumber slices between paper towels and let them sit for a few minutes to absorb excess moisture.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, chili crisp, garlic, sesame seeds, and water or coconut milk until smooth.
- Add the sliced cucumbers, shredded chicken, and green onions to the bowl.
- Toss everything until evenly coated with the peanut dressing.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and chili crisp.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for a quick shortcut.
- Patting the cucumbers dry helps prevent a watery salad.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- Add shredded carrots, cabbage, or chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili crisp.
- Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 295 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg