Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe
Vietnamese cuisine is known for its light, fresh flavors and aromatic ingredients. One dish that embodies this is the Vietnamese Chicken Salad, also known as Gỏi Gà. This dish balances the richness of chicken with the freshness of vegetables and herbs.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients before you begin:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small head of cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 bird’s eye chili, finely chopped (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by preparing the chicken. Boil a pot of water and add a pinch of salt. Drop in the chicken breasts. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the water and let it cool. Shred the chicken using your hands or a fork. Set aside.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the cabbage and red bell pepper. Julienne the carrot and cucumber. Place all the vegetables in a large salad bowl. Add the mint, cilantro, and basil leaves. Toss well to mix.
To make the dressing, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, minced garlic, and chopped chili in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Taste and adjust the flavors as necessary. Set the dressing aside.
Once the chicken has cooled and been shredded, add it to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss everything together until the ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Add the chopped roasted peanuts on top for a bit of crunch.
This salad is best served immediately. The combination of savory chicken, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and tangy dressing creates a dish that is both healthy and delicious. Adjust the ingredients based on your taste preferences or what you have available. Enjoy this Vietnamese classic as a light meal or side dish.
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