Thai Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles

Sometimes ya' just have to tie one on with a little Thai, ya' know what I mean? The Big Guy's busy marking exams with a fast approaching deadline and stressed to the nines. Me? Well, our little Maxer goes in for surgery today on a mast cell tumor so I'm a basket case.

Dinner last night needed to be something that would hold well since I had no idea what time the Big Guy would be home. It also had to be something I couldn't screw up since I'm not thinkin' or seein' too clearly these days- call it allergies, lack of sleep or just worry.

This bowl of calories disguised as nutrition is basically a chicken salad with a lime ginger peanut sauce along with some fresh raw veggies all served on a bed of rice noodles.  It's a great fresh tasting summer time meal and rather lovely in that it can be prepared in advance, refrigerated and dressed at the last minute. It's more than worth a second look and the leftovers make great lunch fodder too.

Thai Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles (adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine)

4 garlic cloves

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1-1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1-1/4 teaspoons sambal oelek

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Combine garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, peanut butter, ginger, sambal oelek in blender and pulse until well mixed. With motor running add vegetable oil and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add pepper as required. With all the soy sauce and peanut butter, it's doubtful you'll need salt.

4-1/2 ounces rice stick noodles (malfun) cooked per package directions

1-1/2 cups cooked chicken – shredded

3 cups shredded cabbage

1 cup grated carrot

1 cup red bell pepper strips

1/2 medium sweet onion or green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 English cucumber cut into julienne strips

1/2 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts

Place cooked rice noodles on bottom of platter or shallow bowl. Mix together chicken, cabbage, carrot, bell pepper strips, onion and cucumber. Toss with prepared dressing, just enough to coat. Place on top noodles and garnish with roasted peanuts. Serve remaining dressing on the side. Download Thai Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles

Comments

[Mary from Apron Strings & Wedding Rings]

Showed Tim this June... Decided he wanted it for his lunchbox! - Mary L.

[June]

It's great lunch grub. I hope Tim enjoys it!