Weight Watchers Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
Elevate your lunch game with our delectable Weight Watchers Thai Chicken Salad! Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome goodness, this guilt-free delight is a celebration of lean protein, crisp veggies, and a tantalizing Thai dressing that’ll transport your taste buds to new heights. Thai food has never tasted better!
Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
This healthy Thai salad recipe is made up of zero point foods on the Weight Watchers Plan. The Thai salad dressing is 3 points and each salad is served with a tablespoon of cashew nuts worth 1 point.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy: This Thai Inspired Chicken Salad is a guilt-free pleasure, with only 4 Weight Watchers points per serving.
- Vibrant Freshness: Immerse your palate in the crisp textures and vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables, perfectly complemented by the zesty Thai dressing.
- Smart and Satisfying: Indulge in a delicious meal that aligns seamlessly with your health goals, proving that eating well can be both smart and satisfying.
Ingredients For Thai Chicken Salad
Here are the ingredients needed for this delicious Thai Chicken Recipe.
For The Chicken: 0 Weight Watchers Points
- 1 LB chicken breasts (boneless/skinless)
- 1 small red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic (paste)
For The Dressing: 3 Weight Watchers Points
- 4 TBSP fresh lime juice
- 1 TBSP fresh ginger (peeled/grated)
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 TBSP honey
- 3 TBSP olive oil
Thai Salad Ingredients: 0 Weight Watchers Points
- 4 C Green cabbage (shredded)
- 1 red pepper (diced)
- 3 carrots (grated)
- 2 Green Onions (chopped)
- 1/4 C fresh basil (chopped)
- 1/4 C fresh cilantro (chopped)
Optional Extra: 1 Weight Watchers Point
One TBSP Cashew Nuts per serving.
Optional Extra: 1 Weight Watchers Point
How To Make Thai Chicken Salad From Scratch
Here are the steps for making this delicious chicken Thai salad recipe.
Step One: Cook The Chicken
- Prep your skillet with cooking spray. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic in the skillet.
- Cook for two minutes. Add your chicken to the skillet with the onion and garlic.
- Saute the chicken until browned and fully cooked.
- Set the chicken aside to cool.
- Once cooled dice the chicken.
Step Two: Prepare The Thai Salad Dressing
- Add the lime juice, ginger, and red pepper flakes..
- Whisk together to combine all ingredients.
- Slowly add the olive oil whisking as you add it.
- Add honey and whisk.
Step Three: Prepare The Salad
- Combine the cabbage, red pepper, carrots, scallions, basil, cilantro and diced chicken.
- Toss with dressing.
- Mix well.
- Top with cashews.
- Serve.
Tips For Making This Recipe
- Ensure the diced or shredded chicken is fully cooked for even distribution in the salad.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes in the dressing to control the level of spiciness.
- Toast the peanuts for enhanced flavor and crunch before topping the salad.
What Else Can I Mix Into My Salad?
Here are some creative additions to enhance your Thai Chicken Salad:
- Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado adds a rich texture and a burst of healthy fats.
- Mango Chunks: Sweet and juicy mango complements the savory elements, offering a tropical twist.
- Edamame Beans: Packed with protein, edamame brings a delightful crunch and nutritional boost.
- Quinoa or Brown Rice: For an extra dose of fiber and heartiness, mix in cooked quinoa or brown rice.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle these for a nutty flavor and a delightful crunch.
- Shredded Coconut: Introduce a hint of sweetness and tropical flair with shredded coconut.
- Chopped Cashews: Enhance the salad with a savory kick and a satisfying crunch.
What To Serve With Chopped Thai Chicken Salad?
- Jasmine Rice or Rice Noodles: Serve Thai salad over a bed of jasmine rice or alongside rice noodles for a more substantial meal.
- Chicken Satay Skewers: Enhance the Thai flavors by pairing the salad with chicken satay skewers, offering a perfect blend of protein and savory goodness.
- Tom Yum Soup: A hot and sour Tom Yum soup can be a delightful starter or side, providing a contrast to the cool and crisp salad.
- Pineapple Fried Rice: Add a touch of sweetness to your meal with pineapple fried rice, creating a harmonious balance with the savory salad.
- Spring Rolls or Fresh Rolls: Serve alongside spring rolls and soy sauce for a light and refreshing appetizer that complements the vibrant salad.
- Thai Coconut Milk Ice Cream: Conclude the meal with a scoop of Thai coconut milk ice cream for a sweet and creamy treat.
- Cucumber Salad: A simple cucumber salad with a tangy dressing can provide a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of the Thai salad.
- Thai Iced Tea: Quench your thirst with a classic Thai iced tea, its sweet and creamy notes complementing the spiciness of the salad.
- Grilled Shrimp or Fish: For a seafood option, consider grilling shrimp or fish with Thai-inspired marinades or fish sauce to serve alongside the salad.
- Mango Sticky Rice: End the meal on a sweet note with the iconic Thai dessert, mango sticky rice, offering a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Mix and match these suggestions to create a Thai feast that delights your taste buds with a variety of textures and flavors!
How To Store Thai Chicken Salad:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover Thai Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cold temperature helps maintain the freshness of the ingredients.
- Separate Dressing: If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad components. Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Peanuts Separately: If your salad includes Peanuts, store them separately or on top of the salad just before serving to preserve their crunchiness.
- Consume Within 24 Hours: For the best taste and texture, consume the stored Thai Chicken Salad within 24 hours. While it can be refrigerated for a day, salads tend to lose their crispness over time.
- Avoid Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze Thai salads, as the vegetables may become watery and lose their freshness upon thawing.
- Re-toss Before Serving: When ready to serve again, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and flavors evenly.
Remember, the key to preserving the quality of a salad is to store it in a way that maintains the freshness of the ingredients. Enjoy your Thai Chicken Salad while it’s at its peak!
Variations
If you fancy making a peanut dressing for your Thai salad then here is a quick guide to do so.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons water (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and lime juice.
- Add water gradually while whisking to achieve your preferred dressing consistency.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness or acidity by adding more honey or lime juice if needed.
- Once well combined, the peanut dressing is ready to elevate your Thai Chicken Salad!
Feel free to customize the dressing to suit your taste. You can also adjust the water quantity to make it thicker or thinner, depending on your preference. Enjoy the rich and nutty flavors of this homemade peanut dressing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Chicken Should I Use?
You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe. Opt for whichever you prefer or have on hand.
Can I use any nut butter to make this dressing?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for peanut butter, you can experiment with almond butter or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
The Best Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
This Thai Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of vibrant veggies, flavorful chicken, and a zesty Thai dressing, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Can I Use Pre-Cooked Chicken?
Certainly! If you have pre-cooked chicken on hand, feel free to use it. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option to save time in the preparation process.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead?
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. However, for the freshest taste and crunch, toss the salad with the dressing and add cashews just before serving.
What is Napa Cabbage and do I have to use it in this recipe?
Napa cabbage is a mild, crisp cabbage variety. While it adds a wonderful texture, you can substitute it with regular green cabbage or your preferred cabbage variety without compromising the essence of the salad. Enjoy your culinary adventure with this flavorful Thai Chicken Salad!
Weight Watchers Thai Chicken Salad Recipe
This Thai chicken salad is a delicious and easy recipe at only 4 weight watchers points. Easy and simple to cook you will love the flavour of this healthy salad.
Ingredients
- 1 LB chicken breasts (boneless/skinless)
- 1 small red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp garlic (paste)
- 4 TBSP fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 TBSP honey .
- 3 TBSP olive oil .
- 4 C cabbage (shredded)
- 1 red pepper (diced)
- 3 carrots (grated)
- 2 scallions (chopped)
- 1/4 C fresh basil (chopped)
- 1/4 C fresh cilantro (chopped)
- One TBSP Cashew Nuts per serving.
Instructions
- Prep your skillet with cooking spray. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic in the skillet.
- Cook for two minutes. Add your chicken to the skillet with the onion and garlic.
- Saute the chicken until browned and fully cooked.
- Set the chicken aside to cool.
- Once cooled dice the chicken.
- Now to make the Thai Salad Dressing:
- Add the lime juice, ginger, and red pepper flakes..
- Whisk together to combine all ingredients.
- Slowly add the olive oil whisking as you add it.
- Add honey and whisk.
- To Make the salad:
- Combine the cabbage, red pepper, carrots, scallions, basil, cilantro and diced chicken.
- Toss with dressing.
- Mix well.
- Top with cashews.
- Serve.
Notes
3 Weight Watchers points per serving - Dressing.
1 Point per TBSP of Cashew Nuts
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 133mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 5gSugar: 12gProtein: 39g
More Delicious Salad Recipes To Try
For more easy salad recipes check out the following:
- Summer Broccoli Salad
- Weight Watchers Macaroni Salad
- Weight Watchers Avocado Caprese Salad
- Pasta Salad With Feta and Cilantro
- Weight Watchers Bean Salad
- Weight Watchers Egg Salad
It looks like a great recipe!
I’m growing Thai basil. Would that work instead of regular basil?
yes sure. You can switch to thai basil.
Thank you!
Is it better to eat right away or is this something I can make the night before?
As long as you keep it in an air tight container it is fine to make the night before.
Perfect. Thank You 😊 Made it for a family gathering. Fingers crossed!! 😁🤞🏻
This was excellent…… I used grilled chicken that I had. Love the lime dressing.and will definitely make this again.
Awesome! I am glad to hear you enjoyed our recipe!
What is a servings on the salad
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to prep this for work! I’m currently on WW and with the new plan the salad comes to 5 points and if you add the cashews that’s an extra 2 points. Thanks for sharing this!