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Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free

Treat yourself to the best ever, protein-packed, Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken. Bursting with flavour, it's filled with tender chicken, perfectly seasoned and cooked, crisp spiralized veggies for extra crunch, all smothered in a mouthwatering Thai-style peanut dressing with rich notes of peanut butter, lime, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. This recipe is also versatile, allowing you to cook it in an air fryer, stovetop, or oven, making it incredibly convenient. Let's start cooking!


Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free
Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free

Why Protein-Packed Meals are Important

In today's society, there's a growing awareness of the importance of protein in maintaining overall health and well-being. With an increasing emphasis on fitness, and nutrition, people are seeking out protein-packed meals to support their active lifestyles and dietary goals. Therefore this Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken is a delicious, gluten-free, high-protein option that provides essential nutrients for muscle repair, satiety, and energy levels. Additionally, with the rise of meal prepping and busy schedules, having a ready-made protein-rich dish on hand makes it easier to make healthier choices and stay on track with dietary objectives.


Watch How to Make It


NOTE: Airfryer and Stovetop Instructions in Method


Helpful Tips, Meal Prep and Variations

Prep Ahead: Save time by prepping the chicken and vegetables in advance. Season the chicken and store it in the fridge until ready to cook. You can also spiralize the veggies ahead of time and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.


Double Up: Make extra dressing and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge. It's versatile and can be used as a dip for veggies or drizzled over other salads throughout the week.


Customize Veggies: Don't be afraid to switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand or personal preference. Yellow capsicum, bean sprouts, or shredded kale would all be delicious additions.


Cooking Variations: If you don't have an air fryer, you can also pan-fry or bake the chicken breasts. For vegetarian options, tofu or mushrooms can be used instead of chicken.


Meal Prep: Prep in advance and assemble into individual servings for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week. Simply portion the ingredients, including the flavorful peanut dressing, into containers, and you'll have delicious and nutritious lunches ready to enjoy with minimal effort.


Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free
Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free

Other Protein-Packed Recipes





Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free
Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free

Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken

 

Serves 4

Total Protein: 240g

(60g protein per serving)

 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

 

INGREDIENTS


Chicken:

800g chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthways

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon chilli flakes

Olive oil

 

Salad:

½ head green cabbage, shredded or finely sliced

2 large carrots, into strips/spiralised*

1 large zucchini, into strips/spiralised*

1 large cucumber, into strips/spiralised*

1 red capsicum, sliced into sticks

2 green onions, sliced

1 cup fresh mint leaves, washed


Dressing:

¾ cup peanut butter (or sub with almond butter)

½ cup fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons Tamari Soy Sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce

2 tablespoons ginger, freshly grated

1 large garlic clove, minced

Water (as needed)

1 tablespoon maple syrup is optional for added sweetness

 

Garnish:

½ cup peanuts, crushed (or sub with cashews)

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

1. Prepare the chicken: Begin by patting dry the chicken and slicing each breast in half lengthwise. Then, drizzle olive oil over the chicken and season it with salt, garlic, onion, chili, and pepper. Once the chicken is coated, use your hands to massage the seasoning evenly over each piece, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.


2. Cook the chicken: For those using an AIR FRYER, place the chicken into the preheated air fryer and cook for 6 minutes at 190°C. Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Once cooked, remove it to a plate and allow it to rest before slicing just before serving.


Alternatively, for STOVETOP cooking, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil into a non-stick frying pan and add the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes or until golden, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken is cooked through.


Remove from the pan and allow it to sit before slicing, just before serving.


3. Make the Dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients in a bowl or shake in a jar. If needed, microwave peanut butter for 30 seconds for easier mixing. If the dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency.


4. Prepare the Salad: Slice and grate the salad ingredients and add them to a large mixing bowl. Then, add the cooked chicken and toss everything together to combine.


5. Bring it together: Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add it gradually, and toss to combine. Finally, top the salad with mint, green onions, and peanuts. Serve and enjoy!


Have you tried this recipe?

Please leave me a rating and comment below, or share it with me at @CreateCookShare on

Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free
Peanut Pad Thai Salad with Chicken, gluten-free

Recipe and Photography Margaret Pahos @CreateCookShare   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

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Guest
Nov 21
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

We make this weekly on a friday night. Love it! Wondering whether the chicken can swapped with beef?

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CreateCookShare
Nov 21
Replying to

Hello! Thank you for the comment and review. Yes, the chicken can be swapped with beef, prawns or even pork and tofu. Enjoy!

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