Thai Chicken Noodle Salad

This vibrant and flavorful Thai Chicken Noodle Salad is a perfect fusion of textures and tastes, offering a mix of savory, sweet, and tangy elements. The salad combines tender marinated chicken with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs like cilantro and mint, all tossed in a refreshing lime-peanut dressing. With its mix of crunchy veggies and soft noodles, this dish is ideal for a light, satisfying meal that will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Thailand.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Marinade:
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Noodle Salad:
  • 200g rice noodles
  • 1 cucumber, julienned
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
• Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (optional for heat)
  • 2-3 tablespoons water (to thin out the dressing)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) in the refrigerator.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill or pan over medium heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked. Set aside to rest, then slice thinly.
3. Prepare Noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce. Add water as needed to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
5. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the noodles, cucumber, carrot, red bell pepper, cilantro, mint, and green onions. Toss with half of the dressing.
6. Add Chicken: Top the salad with the sliced chicken and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds.
7. Serve: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad and serve immediately. Enjoy!