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Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

This vibrant Asian Chicken Salad with Peanut Sauce features tender marinated chicken cooked on skewers, either air fried or grilled, paired with a crunchy cabbage-based salad. Tossed in a flavorful peanut dressing and garnished with roasted peanuts and edamame, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors with a satisfying texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk (stirred before measuring)
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seed oil
  • 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced ginger
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Peanut Sauce for Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons minced ginger

Salad

  • 3 cups shredded cabbage (mixed purple and green)
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
  • 1/2 cup shelled edamame

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a bowl, combine the stirred canned coconut milk, lime zest, lime juice, soy sauce, toasted sesame seed oil, sweet chili sauce, and minced ginger. Mix well to fully combine all marinade ingredients.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken pieces into the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
  3. Prepare the Peanut Sauce for Cooking: While the chicken marinates, mix together the creamy peanut butter, sugar-free maple syrup, soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, sweet chili sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger in a bowl. Set aside.
  4. Cook the Chicken Using Air Fryer Method: When ready, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 6-inch metal skewers. Discard any remaining marinade. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3 minutes. Place skewers in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the skewers and brush with peanut sauce. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Alternative Chicken Cooking Using Grill Method: If grilling, thread the chicken onto 6-inch metal skewers and discard marinade. Preheat grill to 375°F. Place skewers on hot grill grates and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the skewers, brush with peanut sauce, and cook another 2-3 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  6. Make the Salad Dressing: Combine the peanut dressing ingredients (same as peanut sauce ingredients) in a jar and secure with a lid. Shake vigorously until the dressing is completely combined and smooth.
  7. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the shredded purple and green cabbage, chopped red bell pepper, shredded carrot, and chopped green onion.
  8. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly until everything is well coated.
  9. Add Final Garnishes and Serve: Fold in the chopped roasted peanuts and shelled edamame. Serve the salad immediately alongside or topped with the cooked chicken skewers.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken longer (up to 24 hours) will enhance the flavors significantly.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result or chicken breast for leaner meat.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer or grill, cooking the skewers under a broiler or in a skillet would be possible but will change texture slightly.
  • Adjust the amount of sweet chili sauce in the marinade and peanut sauce for spiciness preference.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Keywords: Asian chicken salad, peanut sauce, air fryer chicken skewers, healthy salad, coconut milk marinade, grilled chicken salad

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/asian-chicken-salad-with-peanut-sauce-recipe/