💌 Why You’ll Fall In Love With This Salad
Let’s be real.
Salads have a reputation for being boring.
Wilted lettuce. Sad cucumbers. A sprinkle of shredded carrot if you’re lucky.
But this salad?
This salad CRUNCHES back.
It’s sweet, spicy, tangy, nutty, juicy, refreshing, protein-packed, and somehow still low in carbs.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you go back for seconds—not out of guilt, but out of “holy heck this is delicious.”
This Thai-style chicken slaw is my weekday hero.
It:
- Kills cravings with bold flavors
- Packs in lean protein with shredded chicken
- Adds healthy fats from crunchy cashews
- Gets better the longer it sits (hello, meal prep!)
And yes… it’s 100% Facebook-share-worthy. Let’s make it.
đź›’ Ingredients (with Substitutions & Benefits)
🌱 Salad Base:
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
Low in calories, high in fiber, and the perfect crisp base. - 1 cup shredded carrots
Natural sweetness, color, and crunch. - 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Rich in vitamin C and adds juicy texture. - 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast
Lean protein powerhouse – approx. 26g protein per cup. - ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or mint
Herby brightness, optional if you’re not a fan. - ½ cup pickled red onions
Zingy contrast that cuts through richness. - ÂĽ cup chopped green onions
Adds bite and freshness. - ½ cup roasted cashews (or peanuts)
Healthy fats + crunch. Optional for nut-free folks. - ½ cup snap peas, sliced thin (optional)
Adds freshness and more crunch.
🍋 Dressing (Protein-Safe, Balanced):
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp sesame oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp monk fruit or honey (to taste)
- 1 tsp chili flakes or sriracha (optional, for heat)
🔪 Step-By-Step Directions (with Prep Tips)
1. Shred & Chop Everything
- Thinly slice cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and snap peas
- If not pre-cooked, poach or slow-cook chicken, then shred
- Roughly chop herbs, green onions, and cashews
🧠Tip: Use a mandoline or food processor for super fine crunch.
2. Make the Dressing
- In a bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, sweetener, and chili
- Taste + adjust seasoning
3. Assemble the Salad
- Toss all chopped veggies, chicken, and herbs in a big mixing bowl
- Pour over dressing and toss again until coated
- Top with roasted cashews and a few lime wedges
đź’ˇ Tip: Let sit in fridge for 20 mins to absorb flavors
🔄 Make It Your Way (Custom Swaps)
| Swap This | For This | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | Shredded rotisserie or tofu | Lazy day? Use store-bought |
| Cabbage | Shaved Brussels or lettuce | Adds variety |
| Cashews | Sunflower seeds or almonds | Nut-free or lower fat |
| Honey | Monk fruit, stevia, or maple | Adjust sweetness to diet |
| Lime | Lemon juice | If you’re out of limes |
📦 Meal Prep & Storage
- Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge (dressing separately = best texture)
- Tastes BETTER the next day
- Perfect for lunchboxes, bento boxes, or on lettuce wraps
🌿 Batch tip: Double ingredients, store chopped veggies separately from dressing and nuts, and build fresh bowls all week.
🧠Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving — 1 of 4)
- Calories: ~310
- Protein: ~27g
- Carbs: ~9–11g (mostly fiber)
- Fat: ~16g
- Fiber: ~5g
âś… Gluten-Free
âś… Low-Carb
âś… Dairy-Free
âś… High-Protein
âś… Meal-Prep Friendly
❤️ Backstory: “Salad” Didn’t Always Feel Like Freedom
There was a time I equated “salad” with punishment.
A dry plate of lettuce.
A sad side dish you pushed around your plate while everyone else had pizza.
An “I messed up yesterday” meal that you forced yourself through with zero joy.
This salad flipped that story.
One day, I had leftover rotisserie chicken and a cabbage wedge. I was tired. Emotional. Craving something with flavor, with crunch, with energy.
I threw things in a bowl. Lime. Chili. Garlic. Cashews.
I took one bite… and felt ALIVE again.
Now I crave this on Mondays, when I need to reset without restricting.
On Fridays, when my body wants nourishment but my brain wants takeout.
Even on PMS days when all I want is peanut butter and something crunchy.
This is my reset. My rescue bowl. My flavor bomb.
And it’s changed how I define “healthy.”
âť“ FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely. Use tofu, edamame, or tempeh instead of chicken.
Too spicy for my kids!
Leave out chili and offer sriracha on the side.
What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
Use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
Nut allergy?
Swap cashews for roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Can I make it creamy?
Yes! Add 1 tbsp of Greek yogurt or peanut butter to the dressing.
Best way to store it?
Undressed + airtight. Add dressing + nuts right before eating.