Raise your hand if you’re craving something fresh, healthy, and NOT made entirely from butter and/or sugar?
Man I love the holidays but over the past few weeks I have eaten crazy amounts of sugar cookies, plenty of Puppy Chow and boatloads of bark. It’s been fun for sure but right now all I want to do is eat a MASSIVE salad. The little boys and I were at my parent’s house yesterday where I made Lincoln a healthy snack of sliced apples and peanut butter…then sat down and chowed down on Lay’s potato chips. #WHY My point is, unhealthy habits beget unhealthy habits and this freight train needs to be stopped.
Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing is just the thing to do it!
Crispy coleslaw mix is combined with green onions, red bell pepper, cilantro, peanuts, and chicken then tossed with an easy Thai Peanut Dressing that I had to double the amounts for in the final recipe because I spoon drank too much and didn’t have enough left to dress the salad with. What can I say, self control is not one of my strengths!
This healthy salad recipe is super crunchy and filling, plus if you’re a fan of mason jar salads – these work beautifully! Scoop several Tablespoons of the dressing into the bottom of a 16oz mason jar then layer in coleslaw > red pepper > chicken > green onions > peanuts > cilantro. Pour onto a plate at lunchtime, and you’re set. Let’s do this!
How to Make Thai Crunch Salad
Start by adding bagged coleslaw mix (green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots,) chopped cilantro, peanuts, and green onions, plus red bell pepper cut into matchsticks, and shredded chicken breast into a large bowl. I poached my chicken breast for about 10 minutes before shredding, but you can cook it any way you like and/or use rotisserie chicken.
How to Make Peanut Dressing
To a mason jar or small bowl add peanut butter, honey, warm water, gluten-free Tamari, rice vinegar, lime juice, toasted sesame seeds, sesame oil, ground ginger, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper, (and a partridge in a pear tree) then shake or whisk to combine. Whew! Sounds like a lot of ingredients but I always have everything in the house.
Drizzle the dressing on top then toss well and scoop into two bowls with extra lime wedges for drizzling.
I hope you love this fresh and healthy, yet fun and filling salad. One more week of holiday baking madness you guys – enjoy it, then enjoy THIS!
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Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing
Description
Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing is a light and healthy salad recipe that's packed with craveable flavor and crunch!
Ingredients
- 3 cups coleslaw mix (green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot mix)
- 1/2 red pepper, sliced into thin matchsticks
- 1 chicken breast, cooked then shredded
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 Tablespoons peanuts, finely chopped
- 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- For the Thai Peanut Dressing:
- 4 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter (I used Smucker’s Natural)
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons warm water
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using traditional soy sauce)
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- juice of 1/2 large lime (slice remaining 1/2 lime into wedges)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 large or 2 small cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Add ingredients for Thai Peanut Dressing into a mason jar or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Taste then adjust lime juice and/or add water to thin if necessary.
- Add remaining ingredients into a large bowl. Drizzle desired amount of dressing on top then toss well to combine. Scoop into bowls then serve with lime wedges.
Notes
- This recipe would make great mason jar salads! To the bottom of a 16oz mason jar, scoop in several Tablespoons dressing then layer salad ingredients in the order listed in the recipe above (coleslaw mix, red pepper, chicken, etc.)
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Hi! How long do you think the dressing would be good for if made in advance?
THIS. I need some veggies in my life. Looks amazing. Have a merry Christmas!
This is just what we need next week to get out of the sugar coma we’ll be in from all the Christmas treats!
Reminds me of the Luau salad at Cheesecake Factory – which is SO yummy!
I was thinking the exact same thing!!! But this looked like a much healthier and cheaper version of the luau salad – win win!
This looks so good! It looks pretty easy to make too, which is a bonus around this busy time of year.
I woke up this morning to the thought “I need some veg in my life!” Too much Chex Mix lately, so this is PERFECTION. Thanks!
This is EXACTLY what I need in my life right now!
Hey Kristin! I love the idea of this salad, and can’t wait to make it soon. Quick question. I see what appear to be crispy wonton strips in your photos, but don’t see them listed in the ingredients list or in the recipe steps. Please advise at your convenience. Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas!
Hi Lynn, Merry Christmas to you too!! Maybe what appears to be wonton strips is larger strips of cabbage? The only ingredients in the photos are the ones in the recipe. I hope that helps!
Got it! Thanks so much for getting back to me! I still might add a few of those (or your chili lime crunchies – delicious!) for added crunch and texture! 🤗
OMG, this is fantastic! I love this dressing!!!! I just made this for my dinner as my husband and son are out Christmas shopping. I used coconut aminos instead because that’s what I use. Will definitely be making this alot more.
Looks amazing and is definitely going on my meal plan for next week! This reminds me of the Chinese chop salad at noodles & co which is one of my favorites. Thanks so much and happy Christmas to you and your family!
This looks so delicious! I cannot wait to try it.
With all the treats I’m trying to get in as much produce as possible but it can definitely be challenging!
great alternative salad for me, thank you, I need a new and totally different salad to add to my regular recipes for a little more variety, yes I know how it goes, Lays potato chips have been the source of my downfall too! It’s also funny how you fall into stuff like that when you go somewhere where you developed a lot of habits, like your parents house!
[…] Thai Crunch Salat mit Erdnuss Dressing […]
My family loved this and my kids ages 17, 15 and 10 are terribly picky. Thank you for this amazing recipe.
Can’t wait to make it tonight.
What would the calorie intake per serve be ?
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[…] Tuesday: Thai Crunch Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing […]
[…] threw together a Thai Crunch Salad which was initially supposed to be our dinner but the flavors of the Thai peanut dressing called to […]
so excited to try this! i have the dressing prepped and chicken shredding in the crockpot <3
[…] threw together a Thai Crunch Salad which was initially supposed to be our dinner but the flavors of the Thai peanut dressing called to […]
I am drooling over this salad. We have 3 with Celiacs in our home. Thank you so much for the recipes!
This salad was so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)
[…] Tuesday’s blog post, I mentioned my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad. It’s truly one of the BEST blogger recipes I’ve ever made and you MUST try it ASAP if you […]
[…] Tuesday’s blog post, I mentioned my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad. It’s truly one of the BEST blogger recipes I’ve ever made and you MUST try it ASAP if you […]
This sounds right up my alley. Can’t wait to try it!
SERIOUSLY almost drank the last drops of dressing from the jar. Your take-out recipes are some of my absolute favorites! In my area we do not have a huge amount of Asian restaurant choices and this hands-down beat what I’ve had. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your great review, Jenn! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
[…] Thursday: Thai Crunch Salad […]
I made this for dinner last night and it turned out great! I swapped stir-fry sauce for the soy sauce as I didn’t have any. Brought leftovers to lunch and really enjoyed it again. Will be making this again soon!
Aaaaand you’ve done it again, another winner! Made this as a mason jar salad for my work lunches and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s lunch! I used cashew butter and cashews instead of peanuts, as we have an allergy in the house, but this is Definitely going in the regular rotation!
My son is allergic to sesame. do you recommend any substitute? would it taste good if i skip sesame completely..it looks so yummm
Oh darn it! I would give it a try without the sesame oil – it should still taste good!
I have been following Iowagirleats.com for the last 6 years… And you have yet to disappoint.
This was easy, good, quick, AND I already had all the ingredients in my fridge!
My husband loved it because it was filling and the dressing tasted like his favorite dish from Big Bowl = score!
Thanks again!
Amazing!
[…] know I’ve talked at length on this blog about my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad but if you haven’t made it yet, please add it to your must-try list ASAP. I have my whole family […]
[…] know I’ve talked at length on this blog about my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad but if you haven’t made it yet, please add it to your must-try list ASAP. I have my whole family […]
[…] know I’ve talked at length on this blog about my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad but if you haven’t made it yet, please add it to your must-try list ASAP. I have my whole family […]
[…] This is on the menu for next week as I keep hearing such great reviews on it. […]
This recipe is seriously so good! I always wanted to learn the secret of a Thai dressing. This is now one of my regulars. Thanks so much for sharing!
I am not a fan of raw veggies so I sauteed the chicken and lightly sauteed the veggies with the dressing. This was wonderful warm too!!!
Hi, I’m wondering what brand peanuts you use? I have three children with Celiac and I’m always afraid about finding nuts that are GF. Would love to be able to buy peanuts, cashews, etc. at the grocery store instead of online which I know a lot of people do.
GF peanuts are so hard to find! I use the peanuts from Nuts.com’s GF line!
[…] know I’ve talked at length on this blog about my love for Kristin’s Thai Crunch Salad but if you haven’t made it yet, please add it to your must-try list ASAP. I have my whole family […]
I just made this recipe for lunch and its delicious! My 14 month can’t get enough. Definitely taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Just doubled this recipe to take for lunches this week! So good! I also added edamame and snow peas for some added green! yum!
This was great! I had to add a little more water since I prefer a more liquid consistency. I would also recommend making ahead of time so flavors could marinade
[…] Thai Salad Crunch recipe, it was really good, but very very peanut buttery. As a side salad, it would be great rather than a whole meal in my opinion. […]
This is incredible! My husband doesn’t care for peanut sauces so I used almond butter instead of peanut butter and chopped walnuts. New favorite dinner recipe for us!
Made this salad tonight and it was delicious! Instead of just 3 cups though of coleslaw mix, I added the whole 14oz. Bag I had with a little more cilantro and peanuts and it was perfect with the amount of dressing this recipe called for. My husband said it’s a keeper!
[…] Iowa Girl Eats Thai Crunch Salad with chicken<—SO […]
This is so amazing. It changed my life. I love peanut dressings and sauces. This one is the best I’ve ever had! Thank you!