Description
Crisp Vietnamese-inspired chicken salad dances with zesty herbs and silky rice noodles, creating a refreshing harmony of flavors. Light, tangy, and packed with authentic Vietnamese charm, you’ll savor each vibrant bite of this delightful culinary escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (poached or rotisserie)
- ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1 cup shredded Napa cabbage or romaine
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion or scallions
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
Noodles and Dressing Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) thin rice noodles
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
- 1 Thai chili or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Immerse rice noodles in boiling water, following package guidance, ensuring they reach a tender yet slightly firm texture. Immediately shock in cold water to halt cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Create a vibrant dressing by thoroughly blending fish sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, tangy rice vinegar, granulated sugar, minced garlic, and optional chili pepper with a splash of water. Taste and calibrate flavors for perfect balance.
- Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture and maximum flavor absorption.
- Julienne carrots and cucumber into delicate, thin strips, maintaining crisp and refreshing vegetable integrity.
- Finely chop green cabbage and fragrant herbs like mint and cilantro, creating a diverse textural landscape in the salad.
- Slice green onions diagonally for an elegant presentation and sharp, pungent flavor profile.
- Combine noodles, chicken, julienned vegetables, chopped herbs, and onions in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients, gently tossing to ensure every component is evenly coated and seasoned.
- Allow salad to rest briefly, enabling flavors to meld and intensify before serving at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Notes
- Customize noodle texture by slightly undercooking for a firmer bite that holds up better in the salad.
- Enhance protein flexibility by substituting chicken with tofu, shrimp, or grilled tempeh for vegetarian and pescatarian options.
- Control spice levels by adjusting chili quantity or using milder pepper varieties like serrano or jalapeño for personalized heat.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra fresh herbs like mint or Thai basil, which complement the Vietnamese flavor profile and provide additional micronutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 193
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 197 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg