Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe
Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and crunchy toppings tossed in a savory-sweet Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect as a light and satisfying meal, this salad combines textures and tastes beautifully for a nutritious lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the Chicken: Grill the chicken breasts until fully cooked, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Allow the chicken to cool slightly before slicing into strips.
- Chop the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, diced bell pepper, julienned carrot, and sliced green onions to create a colorful vegetable base.
- Add Cashews: Toss the roasted unsalted cashews into the vegetable mixture to add a delightful crunch.
- 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 to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Chicken: Gently fold the sliced grilled chicken into the salad until it is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Top with Noodles: Just before serving, sprinkle crispy chow mein noodles on top of the salad to add extra crunch.
- Garnish: If desired, add chopped fresh cilantro to enhance the salad’s freshness and flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Plate the salad and serve right away to enjoy the combination of crisp textures and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken stays juicy, let it rest for a few minutes after grilling before slicing.
- The crispy chow mein noodles should be added just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- You can roast the cashews yourself if unsalted roasted cashews are unavailable.
- Adjust the honey in the dressing to your preferred level of sweetness.
Keywords: Chicken salad, cashew salad, Asian dressing, grilled chicken, crunchy salad, healthy lunch
