Vietnamese Cabbage Chicken Salad

Vietnamese Cabbage Chicken Salad is a beautiful, refreshing main course salad. It's perfect for summer entertaining or simply served as an everyday dinner. Either way it's a recipe I make year after year, always in the summer.

this gluten free recipe

A Seasonal Strategy

People often tell me they feel like they make the same recipes over and over. My strategy is a seasonal approach to naturally add new dishes as the produce comes into season. This keeps the menu changing yet allows me to repeat favourite dishes with enough time going by that it never gets boring. I'm reminded of this recipe when the weather is warm and there's mint growing in my garden.

If the idea of a seasonal strategy is new for you try making a short list of some seasonal favourites you'd like to try. Then tape that list inside a cupboard door and challenge yourself to make them before the end of summer. Once you've made those three or four recipes, make a new list with the next season in mind. Over time this habit will slowly add more variety to your meal choices.

A Canadian Celiac Podcast

Thanks to Sue Jennett for sharing this photo of her version of my Vietnamese Chicken Salad. Sue is the host of A Canadian Celiac podcast and I'm a follower of hers. Listening to podcasts is a great way to keep up with the changes in the gluten free space. The only thing we know for sure is that things are always changing so continuous learning needs to be part of a gluten free lifestyle.

Growing Fresh Herbs

Going out to the garden to pick fresh herbs for cooking might sound romantic or perhaps challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Many herbs are easy to grow and mint is one of them. You don't need a green thumb or even a garden. You put a pot on the deck with a small mint plant in the spring and enjoy mint all summer. The cost is often not much more than the price of a single package of fresh mint.

Vietnamese Cabbage Chicken Salad

This is a refreshing, main course salad perfect for summer entertaining or a potluck. When the mint in up in my garden I'm ready!

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Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Keyword: Vietnamese Cabbage Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 357kcal

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

DRESSING

• ▢ 1 Thai bird chile*, seeded and finely chopped
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 2 tablespoon sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ▢ 3 tablespoon lime juice
• ▢ 3 tablespoon fish sauce
• ▢ 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• ▢ freshly ground black pepper

SALAD

• ▢ 2 small chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (about 2 cups)
• ▢ 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• ▢ 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
• ▢ 1 cup shredded carrot
• ▢ ½ cup shredded fresh mint

GARNISH

• ▢ cilantro sprigs
• ▢ fresh mint sprigs
• ▢ ¼ cup crushed peanuts

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Instructions

DRESSING

• Combine all dressing ingredients. Set aside for 30 minutes.

SALAD

• Fill a large frying pan with water and bring to boil over high heat.
• Add chicken, put lid on and turn heat down to maintain a low boil. Poach for 10 minutes, turn chicken and continue poaching until cooked through, another 10 minutes depending on the thickness. Remove from water and cool.
• While still warm shred the meat using 2 forks or cut into thin slices.
• In a large mixing bowl combine chicken, cabbage, carrot and mint. Sprinkle dressing over and toss well. Transfer salad to serving platter or plates.
• Garnish with cilantro springs, mint and chopped peanuts.

Notes

*Thai bird chiles are tiny and hot. Substitute a jalapeno or serrano chile to suit your taste.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Vietnamese Cabbage Chicken Salad

Amount Per Serving (300 g)

Calories 357 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 8g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 72mg24%

Sodium 1237mg54%

Potassium 892mg25%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 29g58%

Vitamin A 6167IU123%

Vitamin C 51mg62%

Calcium 92mg9%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.