Description
A vibrant and crunchy Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad featuring shredded chicken breast, toasted cashews, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Asian-inspired sesame dressing. This salad is topped with crispy wonton strips and optional peanuts for extra texture, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 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
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
Nuts
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 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 the Cashews: In a small pan over medium heat, lightly toast the raw cashews, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown and release a fragrant aroma. Once toasted, set them aside to cool.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded chicken breast, mixed salad greens, thinly sliced red bell pepper, shredded carrots, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro, and the cooled toasted cashews.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic until well combined. Season the dressing with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss all ingredients to ensure they are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: For added texture and crunch, sprinkle the crispy wonton strips and optional chopped peanuts over the salad.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad right away to enjoy its fresh, vibrant flavors and crisp textures.
Notes
- Toasted cashews add a warm, nutty flavor—be careful not to burn them during toasting.
- Use cooked chicken breast leftover from previous meals or quickly poach fresh chicken for this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing for more or less sweetness based on your preference.
- Crispy wonton strips add great texture but can be omitted for a gluten-free version.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a dash of chili flakes to the dressing.
