Bright & Zesty Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe to Refresh

Crisp summer afternoons call for a refreshing chicken salad with Vietnamese-inspired zest that dances across your taste buds.

Bursting with bright herbs and crunchy vegetables, this salad delivers an authentic flavor profile straight from the streets of Hanoi.

Tender shredded chicken mingles with delicate cabbage and carrots, creating a harmony of textures and colors.

Fragrant mint and cilantro add an extra layer of complexity to each bite.

The tangy dressing, packed with lime juice and fish sauce, provides a perfect balance of sour and savory notes.

Toasted peanuts sprinkled on top offer a delightful crunch that elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to tantalize your senses with this vibrant and incredibly satisfying meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 193 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into This Bright Chicken Noodle Salad

• Rice Noodles: Silky strands that provide a light, refreshing foundation for the salad, best chosen fresh and without clumping.
• Chicken: Tender protein that adds substance and flavor, preferably cooked and shredded from a recent roast or grilled chicken.

• Carrots, Cucumber, Cabbage: Vibrant vegetables that deliver crisp texture and natural sweetness, choose seasonal and firm produce for maximum crunch.
• Green Onion: Adds sharp, fresh bite and aromatic depth to the overall salad composition.

• Cilantro, Mint: Bright, fragrant herbs that elevate the salad's complexity, select leaves that are verdant and perky without wilting.

• Fish Sauce: Umami-rich liquid that provides salty depth, opt for high-quality Vietnamese or Thai brands.
• Lime Juice: Tangy citrus element that brings brightness and balances the richness.
• Rice Vinegar: Mild acidic component that adds subtle tang without overwhelming.
• Sugar: Balances the dressing's acidity, helps smooth out sharp flavors.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic that intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Chili: Optional heat source for those wanting a spicy kick.
• Water: Helps dilute and harmonize dressing ingredients.

Tools That Help Pull Off Fresh Asian-Inspired Flavor

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all salad ingredients together.
• Small Bowl or Jar: Perfect for whisking and mixing the dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing components into a well-combined sauce.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping carrots, cucumber, cabbage, herbs, and onion precisely.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing rice noodles after cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients like fish sauce and sugar.

Putting Together a Salad That Pops with Texture

• Boil Noodle Strands

Grab your rice noodles and cook them quickly in bubbling water until they’re soft and silky. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process, then let them rest.

• Craft Zesty Flavor Splash

Whisk together tangy fish sauce, zingy lime juice, bright rice vinegar, sweet sugar, crushed garlic, and optional chili pepper in a small container. Taste and tweak until the flavors dance together.

• Build Your Vibrant Meal

In a large bowl, tumble together your cooked noodles, tender chicken pieces, crisp carrots, crunchy cucumber, leafy cabbage, fragrant herbs, and sharp onion. Drizzle your magical dressing over everything and gently toss until each ingredient is gloriously coated.

• Serve and Celebrate

Transfer your colorful creation to serving plates. Garnish with extra herbs if you’re feeling fancy. This Vietnamese-inspired feast is ready to dazzle your taste buds with its perfect balance of fresh ingredients and bold flavors.

Flavor Swaps That Work Across Seasons

• Prepare chicken and chop vegetables in advance for a quick weeknight dinner. Store components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
• Swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or grilled tempeh for different protein options. Each alternative brings unique flavors and textures to the salad.
• Use tamari instead of fish sauce and ensure rice noodles are certified gluten-free. Double-check ingredient labels to maintain dietary restrictions.
• Adjust chili quantity based on heat preference. Remove seeds for milder taste or add extra for bold, fiery kick. Fresh Thai chilies work best for authentic Vietnamese flavor.
• Replace rice noodles with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carbohydrate version of the salad. Keep all other ingredients consistent for a nutritious alternative.

How to Serve This Dish with Balance and Bite

• Fresh Picnic Platter: Spread this vibrant salad on a large wooden board surrounded by extra herbs, lime wedges, and crushed peanuts for a stunning communal dining experience that invites everyone to dig in and customize their portions.
• Cool Summer Lunch: Serve chilled in individual glass bowls with additional sliced chili on the side, perfect for hot days when you want something light, refreshing, and packed with zesty Vietnamese flavors.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the salad into a hearty meal by adding grilled tofu, extra shredded chicken, or a soft-boiled egg on top, creating a more substantial lunch or dinner option with added nutrition.
• Wrap It Up: Use large lettuce leaves or rice paper wrappers to create fresh spring rolls, letting diners wrap their own salad portions for an interactive and fun eating experience that keeps everything crisp and cool.

Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh & Fun

• Keep salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, preventing soggy textures.
• Prepare dressing and chop vegetables in advance, storing them individually to assemble the salad quickly during busy weekdays.
• Stored without dressing, salad ingredients remain crisp for 3-4 days. Add dressing just before serving to maintain optimal crunch and flavor.
• Divide ingredients into individual meal-prep containers, creating grab-and-go lunches that stay fresh and delicious for easy workplace or travel meals.

Vibrant Vietnamese Chicken Salad

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crisp vietnamese-inspired chicken salad dances with tangy herbs and zesty dressing, creating a symphony of fresh flavors. Crunchy vegetables and tender chicken nestled on silky rice noodles invite you to savor a delightful culinary journey through Vietnamese cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (poached or rotisserie)
• 6 oz (170 g) thin rice noodles
• 1 cup shredded Napa cabbage or romaine
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion or scallions
• ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
• 3 tbsps fish sauce
• 2 tbsps lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps water
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 Thai chili or ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Noodle Preparation: Boil rice noodles according to package guidelines, then thoroughly rinse with cold water and drain completely, ensuring noodles are cool and separated.
2. Dressing Creation: Craft a vibrant dressing by blending fish sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, optional chili, and water in a mixing vessel, tasting and adjusting flavor profile for balanced tanginess and sweetness.
3. Salad Assembly: In a spacious mixing bowl, artfully combine chilled rice noodles, shredded chicken, julienned carrots, crisp cucumber slices, shredded cabbage, fragrant herbs, and thinly sliced onion. Drizzle prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently toss, ensuring every component is evenly coated and harmoniously integrated, creating a refreshing and dynamic Vietnamese-inspired culinary experience.

Notes

• Avoid overcooking rice noodles to prevent a mushy consistency. Cook until just tender, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain a pleasant al dente bite.
• Taste and adjust the dressing carefully. The key is achieving a perfect harmony between tangy, sweet, and savory elements. Start with less sugar and gradually add more to prevent overwhelming the salad’s natural flavors.
• Chop vegetables and herbs in advance to create a quick, refreshing meal. Keep ingredients separately refrigerated to maintain crispness and prevent wilting before final assembly.
• Swap chicken with tofu, shrimp, or grilled tempeh for different dietary preferences. For a vegetarian version, use plant-based protein alternatives while maintaining the salad’s authentic Vietnamese-inspired profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg