I’ve been obsessed with this Healthy Asian Chicken Crunch Salad lately, and you’re going to understand why after your first bite! Imagine this: tender marinated chicken meets crispy cabbage and carrots, while edamame adds that perfect pop of color and protein. The homemade peanut dressing? It’s absolutely divine and brings everything together in the most satisfying way. But here’s the secret ingredient that transforms this from good to absolutely incredible…
Your Complete Ingredients List
This recipe brings together a beautiful mix of fresh vegetables, perfectly seasoned chicken, and a creamy peanut dressing that ties everything together. The ingredients might seem long at first glance, but don’t worry – most of them are pantry staples you probably already have, and the fresh produce is what makes this salad so vibrant and satisfying.
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
For the Salad:
- 3 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ cup shelled edamame
- ½ cup diced green onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
For the Peanut Dressing:
- 3 tbsp natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 2 tbsp warm water
A few notes about sourcing these ingredients: you can usually find pre-shredded cabbage in the produce section if you want to save time, though freshly shredded always has better crunch. Frozen edamame works perfectly here – just thaw it first. If you can’t find tahini, you can substitute it with an extra tablespoon of peanut butter, though the flavor will be slightly different. The sriracha amounts are suggestions, so adjust based on your heat tolerance.
Cooking Instruction
Let me walk you through turning this gorgeous pile of fresh ingredients into something that’ll make your taste buds do a little happy dance. First up, we’re getting that chicken happy with a marinade that’s basically a flavor bomb in a bowl. Whisk together ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon tahini, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger, 1 tablespoon sriracha, and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds.
Plop that 1 pound of chicken breast right into this magical mixture, make sure every inch gets coated, and let it chill for 15 to 30 minutes. While you’re waiting, your kitchen will start smelling like an amazing Asian restaurant, which is always a good sign.
After the chicken has had its spa treatment, cook it in a skillet until it’s completely done, then let it rest for a few minutes before slicing – this little patience trick keeps all those juices locked in instead of running all over your cutting board. For an even healthier cooking method with incredible crispiness, try using a premium air fryer to achieve perfectly cooked, juicy chicken with a delightful exterior texture.
Now for the fun, crunchy part that makes this salad absolutely addictive. In your biggest bowl, toss together 3 cups shredded purple cabbage, 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1 sliced red bell pepper, ½ cup shelled edamame, ½ cup diced green onion, ½ cup chopped cilantro, and ¼ cup chopped peanuts.
It’s like building a rainbow in a bowl, honestly. The dressing is where things get really exciting – whisk together 3 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 2 teaspoons sriracha, and 2 tablespoons warm water until it’s completely smooth.
That warm water is your secret weapon for getting the peanut butter to play nice with everything else. Add your beautiful sliced chicken to the veggie mountain, drizzle that creamy, slightly spicy dressing all over everything, and toss until every single piece is coated.
Just remember to add the dressing right before you’re ready to eat, unless you’re into soggy salad, which, let’s be honest, nobody really is.
Tips & Variations
While this salad is absolutely perfect as written, you’ve got tons of room to make it your own and solve whatever ingredient challenges life throws your way!
Can’t find edamame? Swap in roasted chickpeas or sliced almonds for that satisfying crunch.
Want more protein? Add hard-boiled eggs or grilled shrimp alongside the chicken.
Vegetarian? Skip the meat entirely and double up on edamame plus some cubed tofu.
You can easily substitute the peanut butter with almond butter if allergies are a concern, and frozen shredded coleslaw mix works perfectly when you’re short on prep time!
Serving Suggestions
Perfect as a standalone meal, this vibrant salad works beautifully for lunch prep, weeknight dinners, or entertaining guests who’ll be seriously impressed by your culinary skills!
I love serving it with warm brown rice or quinoa for extra heartiness. Want to make it party-ready? Arrange everything in separate bowls and let everyone build their own – it’s interactive and fun!
The salad also pairs wonderfully with spring rolls or pot stickers for a complete Asian-inspired feast.
For busy weekdays, I’ll portion it into mason jars with dressing on the bottom for grab-and-go convenience that actually tastes amazing!
Smart Storage Solutions
Smart meal prep starts with knowing exactly how to store each component of this gorgeous salad, and trust me, there’s a science to keeping everything fresh and delicious!
I separate everything into airtight containers – chicken in one, chopped veggies in another, and that amazing peanut dressing gets its own little jar. Why? Because soggy salad is nobody’s friend!
The veggies stay crisp for up to three days, while the chicken keeps perfectly for two. Store dressing separately and give it a good shake before using. This way, you’re always just minutes away from salad perfection!
Nutrition Information
Let’s talk numbers, because this salad isn’t just a feast for your eyes – it’s a nutritional powerhouse that’ll make your body do a happy dance!
Each serving delivers around 380 calories packed with lean protein from chicken breast, healthy fats from peanuts and sesame oil, plus fiber-rich veggies. You’re getting about 35 grams of protein, which keeps you satisfied for hours.
The cabbage and carrots load you up with vitamin C and antioxidants, while edamame adds plant-based protein.
Best part? It’s naturally gluten-free when you use tamari instead of soy sauce!
