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Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe

Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe

Are you looking for a vibrant, satisfying meal that makes healthy eating genuinely exciting? This easy Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad recipe will quickly become your absolute favorite weekday lunch or dinner choice.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American-Asian Fusion
Servings 4
Calories 410 kcal

Equipment

  • Large wooden salad bowl
  • Sharp chef’s knife
  • Sturdy cutting board
  • Small glass mixing bowl
  • Wire whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • Cooked chicken breast – 2 cups, cubed
  • Romaine lettuce – 3 cups, chopped
  • Red cabbage – 1 cup, shredded
  • Matchstick carrots – 1 cup
  • Roasted cashews – 1/2 cup, unsalted
  • Edamame – 1/2 cup, cooked and shelled
  • Green onions – 1/3 cup, sliced
  • Chow mein noodles – 1/4 cup
  • Creamy cashew butter – 3 tablespoons
  • Warm water – 2 tablespoons
  • Low-sodium soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
  • Pure honey – 1 tablespoon
  • Sesame oil – 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh lime juice – 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh ginger – 1 teaspoon, grated

Instructions
 

Whisk the Creamy Dressing

  • Place the smooth cashew butter and warm water into your small glass mixing bowl to start the base. Whisk them vigorously together until the mixture looks completely smooth, light, creamy, and free of any stubborn lumps.

Emulsify the Sauce Flavors

  • Add the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, fresh lime juice, and grated ginger into the bowl. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the dressing achieves a silky texture and a gorgeous, uniform golden-brown color.

Prepare the Salad Greens

  • Chop the fresh Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces on your sturdy cutting board using a sharp knife. Transfer the chopped lettuce into your large wooden salad bowl along with the vibrant, colorful shredded red cabbage.

Toss the Colorful Vegetables

  • Scatter the matchstick carrots, cooked edamame, and thinly sliced green onions evenly over the top of the greens. Toss the vegetable mixture gently using clean hands or salad tongs until the colors blend together beautifully.

Incorporate the Savory Chicken

  • Add the cubed cooked chicken breast directly into the large wooden bowl with your freshly tossed salad base. Drizzle the prepared creamy cashew dressing evenly over all the ingredients to ensure every single bite is flavorful.

Add the Crunchy Toppings

  • Sprinkle the roasted unsalted cashews and crunchy chow mein noodles over the dressed salad just before serving. Toss gently one final time and enjoy this spectacular, texture-packed meal immediately while everything is perfectly crisp.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken: Grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save precious kitchen prep time.
  • Pack elements separately: Store the chopped vegetables, cooked chicken, dressing, and crunchy toppings in independent airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Protect the crunch: Add the roasted cashews and chow mein noodles only when you are sitting down to eat to avoid sogginess.
  • Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce for this recipe.
Keyword Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad Recipe