Vietnamese Chicken Salad

Ingredients for Vietnamese Chicken Salad

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled ginger

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh red chillies (preferably Thai or cayenne), or to taste

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.6kg)

• 1 (2-pound) green cabbage

• 230g carrots

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 80ml Asian fish sauce

• 60ml packed light brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh red chillies (preferably Thai or cayenne)

• 2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled ginger

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 160ml coarsely chopped salted roasted peanuts

• 1/2 cup packed torn basil leaves

• 1/2 cup packed torn mint leaves

• an adjustable-blade slicer

• lime wedges

• thinly sliced fresh red chillies (optional)

How to make Vietnamese Chicken Salad

Stir together lime juice, garlic, ginger, chillies, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoons pepper, then rub all over chicken, inside and out. Marinate, covered, at room temperature while cooking vegetables.

Thinly slice cabbage with slicer. Cut carrots into thin matchsticks (1/8 inch) with a knife. Cook vegetables in a large pot of salted boiling water (2 tablespoons salt for 5.7L water) until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large sieve or colander with a slotted spoon (return water to a boil) and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well.

Add sugar to boiling water, then add chicken with marinade and cook, covered, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let chicken stand in cooking liquid, covered, 30 minutes. Carefully transfer chicken with tongs to a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle. Coarsely shred meat (and skin if desired), transferring to a large bowl.

Bring fish sauce and brown sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Blend mixture in a blender along with chillies, ginger, and garlic (use caution when blending hot liquids). Stir in lime juice.

Transfer to a large sieve or colander with a slotted spoon (return water to a boil) and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well. Add sugar to boiling water, then add chicken with marinade and cook, covered, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let chicken stand in cooking liquid, covered, 30 minutes. Carefully transfer chicken with tongs to a cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle. Coarsely shred meat (and skin if desired), transferring to a large bowl. Make dressing while chicken cools: Bring fish sauce and brown sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Blend mixture in a blender along with chillies, ginger, and garlic (use caution when blending hot liquids). Stir in lime juice. Assemble salad: Toss vegetables with half of dressing and chicken with remainder. Serve chicken over vegetables and sprinkle with peanuts, basil, and mint. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.