Description

This Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Peanut Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender sautéed chicken, golden crispy jasmine rice, and a medley of fresh vegetables. Tossed in a creamy, tangy peanut dressing with hints of lime, honey, and ginger, it offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Rice

3 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled
400 grams boneless skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)

For the Salad Vegetables

1 cup red cabbage, finely sliced
1 cup carrots, julienned
1 cup cucumber, sliced
3 stalks green onions, sliced
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

For the Peanut Dressing

0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
2 to 4 tablespoons warm water

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place the sliced chicken in a bowl, add soy sauce, cornstarch, and minced garlic, then toss until the chicken is evenly coated. This step ensures the chicken stays tender and flavorful once cooked.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Heat Oil for Rice: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet and allow it to heat evenly over medium heat. This oil will help crisp the rice beautifully.
Crisp the Rice: Spread the chilled jasmine rice evenly in the skillet, pressing slightly to form a layer. Cook without stirring for several minutes until the bottom turns golden and crispy. Carefully flip sections of the rice to crisp the other sides, cooking for another 6 to 8 minutes until multiple sides are crispy and golden.
Prepare the Peanut Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, fresh lime juice, honey, grated ginger, and warm water until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Adjust the water quantity to reach desired consistency.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the crispy rice, cooked chicken, red cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced cucumber, green onions, and chopped cilantro.
Toss with Dressing: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated, ensuring each bite is flavorful and colorful.

Notes

Use chilled rice for crisping to prevent clumping and achieve better texture.
For extra flavor, you can toast the peanut butter lightly before mixing the dressing.
Adjust the lime juice and honey to taste depending on your sweetness and acidity preference.
You may substitute chicken breast with firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
Serve immediately for the best contrast of crispy rice and fresh vegetables.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Keywords: chicken crispy rice salad, peanut dressing, asian salad, crispy rice recipe, jasmine rice salad, peanut sauce salad, healthy chicken salad