Name: Thai Cucumber Salad with Chicken and Peanut Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1.5 cups shredded chicken; 2 English cucumbers; 3 green onions, sliced (green and white parts); Toppings: chili crisp, toasted sesame seeds; 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil; 1 tablespoon chili crisp; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1-2 tablespoons water or coconut milk if needed; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

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Introduction

This Thai Cucumber Salad with Chicken is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for warm days or as a light meal. Crisp cucumbers and tender shredded chicken are tossed in a creamy peanut dressing, delivering a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors.

A close-up of a fork lifting a bite of food from a white bowl on a white marbled surface. The dish has several layers: the bottom layer looks soft and creamy with a light orange color, appearing to be scrambled eggs or tofu, mixed with slightly browned bits. On top, there are bright green slices of cooked zucchini with a slightly glossy texture, sprinkled with finely chopped green onions. The food is coated with a shiny, reddish-brown sauce that adds a rich and spicy look. The background is softly blurred to focus on the detailed texture of the food on the fork. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1.5 cups shredded chicken
2 English cucumbers
3 green onions, sliced (green and white parts)
Toppings: chili crisp, toasted sesame seeds

Peanut Dressing:

1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon chili crisp
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 tablespoons water or coconut milk, if needed
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 1: Use a mandolin or a sharp kitchen knife to slice the cucumbers into uniform, thin slices. Lay them in a single layer between paper towels, roll them up, and set aside to remove excess moisture for a few minutes.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add all the peanut dressing ingredients. Whisk together until smooth.
Step 3: Add the cucumbers, shredded chicken, and green onions to the bowl and toss to coat everything evenly in the dressing.
Step 4: Garnish the salad with additional green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and drizzles of chili crisp before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a meat-free version, omit the chicken and add an extra 1.5 cups of sliced cucumbers.
If you have a peanut allergy, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
To control spice levels, adjust the amount of chili crisp or omit it altogether.
Using coconut milk instead of water in the dressing adds a subtle richness.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Due to the cucumbers’ moisture, some liquid may collect at the bottom—simply pour off the excess water before tossing the salad again and serving.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl filled with a creamy orange sauce mixed with soft scrambled eggs and sliced green zucchini. The top layer shows glossy green zucchini rounds with a slight char, mixed with chopped green onions and red chili flakes scattered around. A gold fork lifts a bite showing the soft scrambled eggs coated in the sauce and zucchini slices wrapped around. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead. Just keep it refrigerated and toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing, as cucumbers release moisture over time.

What can I substitute for chili crisp?

If you don’t have chili crisp, you can substitute with a drizzle of chili oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the dressing for a bit of heat.