Crunchy Vietnamese-Inspired Chicken & Rice Salad + Spicy Lime Dressing
This Vietnamese inspired salad features a serrano-spiked dressing, cooked shredded chicken (this is a great way to use up leftovers), cabbage, and carrots, along with loads of mint, cilantro, and peanuts.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Spicy Lime Dressing:
- 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil (such as grapeseed)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce, as desired (I use 3 tablespoons of Red Boat brand, which is milder than others)
- 1-2 serrano chiles, thinly sliced, as desired (depending on how spicy you like it)
Bowls:
- Neutral vegetable oil (such as grapeseed), for frying (optional)
- 2 large shallots, very thinly sliced (optional)
- Salt
- 1 batch cooked rice, preferably black (cooled)
- ¼ medium green cabbage, very finely sliced (about 4 cups)
- 2 large carrots, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- ½ cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
- ½ cup coarsely chopped roasted peanuts
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Dressing:
- Combine the garlic, oil, vinegar, lime juice, honey, and fish sauce in a mini food processor or small blender. Blend until smooth. Stir in the chiles
Build the bowls:
- If you’re frying the shallots (good for you!), heat ¼ inch of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Set a strainer over a bowl (this will be to drain the shallots later). Add a single shallot ring to the hot oil — if it starts bubbling immediately, you’re good to add the rest (if not, let the oil continue to heat). Cook, stirring constantly, until the shallots are golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the shallots in the strainer over the bowl and then transfer them to paper towels to drain further. Season with salt to taste.
- Combine the rice, cabbage, carrots, chicken, cilantro, mint, and peanuts in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the fried shallots, if using, and serve with lime wedges.