Thai Ginger Chicken Salad

A refreshing Thai salad featuring rice noodles and tender chicken pieces tossed with a vibrant lime-fish sauce dressing, fresh herbs, and aromatics like ginger, lemongrass, and Thai chiles. Served on a bed of butter lettuce leaves for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

4 servings
22 min

Ingredients

  • 2 whole Thai chiles, sliced
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup gluten-free fish sauce (such as Thai Kitchen brand)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
  • ½ clove garlic clove, chopped
  • 12 ounces rice stick noodles (maifun)
  • 2 tablespoons (or more) vegetable oil
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" cubes
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh lemongrass from peeled bottom 4" of stalk
  • 2 cups (loosely packed) cilantro, coarsely chopped, divided
  • 1 cup (loosely packed) mint leaves, coarsely chopped, divided
  • 1 cup (loosely packed) basil leaves, coarsely chopped, divided
  • 8 leaves Large butter lettuce leaves
  • Ingredient info: Look for fish sauce
  • rice stick noodles
  • and lemongrass at better supermarkets and at Asian markets.

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk first 4 ingredients, 2 teaspoons ginger, and garlic in a small bowl until sugar dissolves. Set dressing aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, 2-4 minutes. Drain; put in a large bowl.

    4 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Add chicken; stir 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoons ginger, shallot, and lemongrass. Stir until chicken is cooked through, 3-4 minutes. Add to noodles. Add half of all herbs and half of dressing; toss to coat.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Line bowls with lettuce leaves. Divide noodle mixture among bowls. Top with remaining herbs and dressing.

    5 min

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