Description
This Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken with fresh mixed greens, colorful vegetables, and a zesty homemade spicy dressing. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal, it offers a delightful balance of spicy, tangy, and crunchy textures in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
Spicy Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sriracha or hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, sriracha, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined to create the spicy dressing.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens, shredded cooked chicken, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, sliced cucumber, and chopped fresh cilantro.
- Toss the salad: Pour the prepared spicy dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to ensure all components are evenly coated.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts on top of the salad to add a delicious crunchy texture.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors and maintain the crunchy texture of the peanuts.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha or hot sauce in the dressing according to your preferred spice level.
- Use cooked chicken breasts from leftovers, a rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach chicken if preparing fresh.
- For added flavor, chill the salad slightly before serving but add the peanuts just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- This salad pairs well with crusty bread or as a light lunch on its own.
