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Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad

Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad
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★★★★★

4.8 from 17 reviews

Chicken Cashew Crunch Salad is a vibrant, protein-packed dish featuring grilled chicken breast, fresh crunchy vegetables, roasted cashews, and crispy chow mein noodles tossed in a flavorful Asian-inspired dressing. This salad offers a satisfying combination of textures and savory-sweet flavors, perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
  • 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 1 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews, roasted
  • ½ cup crispy chow mein noodles
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Grill your chicken breasts over medium heat until fully cooked through and juices run clear, about 6-8 minutes per side. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice into strips.
  2. Chop the Vegetables: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, diced bell pepper, julienned carrot, and sliced green onions, creating a fresh, crisp base for the salad.
  3. Add Cashews: Toss in the roasted unsalted cashews to introduce a nutty crunch that complements the veggies.
  4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well blended. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
  5. Combine Ingredients: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to evenly coat all the components with the savory-sweet dressing.
  6. Add Chicken: Gently fold in the sliced grilled chicken strips to distribute protein evenly through the salad.
  7. Top with Noodles: Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy chow mein noodles on top to provide a delightful crunchy texture contrast.
  8. Garnish: Optionally, add chopped fresh cilantro for a bright, fresh herbal note.
  9. Serve Immediately: Plate the salad promptly to enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy, fresh, and savory elements at their best.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before grilling.
  • Use unsalted cashews to control sodium levels in the salad.
  • Chow mein noodles should be added just before serving to keep them crisp.
  • Adjust honey and soy sauce in the dressing to taste for desired sweetness and saltiness.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce is tamari or gluten-free and use gluten-free chow mein noodles or omit them.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken salad, cashew salad, crunchy salad, Asian salad, healthy salad, grilled chicken, cashews, chow mein noodles

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/chicken-cashew-crunch-salad/