How to Make Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad
This shredded chicken salad recipe swaps out the typical chicken breast for chicken thighs, making the dish incredibly juicy and flavorful, without any dryness.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken thighs ~ 350g
- 1 large onion
- 2 bunches of Vietnamese coriander
- 1 piece of ginger
- 1 bulb of garlic ~ 5-6 cloves
- 1-2 fresh chili peppers
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 lime
- 5g roasted peanuts
- Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, pepper, seasoning powder
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken
Typically, shredded chicken salad is made with chicken breast, which is nutritious and lean, but it tends to be dry and lacks sweetness.
Instead, you can use chicken thighs, which are tender, juicy, and have a slight crunch. This part of the chicken also stays moist and flavorful when prepared.
Rub the chicken with salt, and if available, use rice wine or ginger wine to remove any unpleasant odor. Rinse well, then steam the chicken with a few slices of ginger for added fragrance.
Once the chicken is cooked, let it cool and then shred into thin strips.
Marinate the shredded chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder and a pinch of ground pepper to ensure the chicken is flavorful and doesn’t taste bland compared to the onions and coriander.
Preparing Other Ingredients
Peel and wash the onion, then cut it in half and slice it thinly. Soak the onion slices in a bowl of ice water with a pinch of salt to reduce pungency and maintain crunch. After about 10 minutes, drain, rinse, and let dry.
Pick and wash the Vietnamese coriander, then cut it into segments about the length of a finger joint.
Mince the garlic and fresh chili peppers. Slice the red chili diagonally.
Coarsely crush the roasted peanuts.
Making the Dressing
In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cooled boiled water, and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Stir well until the sugar dissolves, then add the minced garlic and chili peppers.
Mixing the Salad
Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl, then add the onion, Vietnamese coriander, and sliced red chili. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top and gently mix to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with crushed peanuts and enjoy.
When plating, avoid pouring any excess dressing onto the dish. In restaurants, it's a general rule that salads should not have visible liquid on the plate, as it detracts from the presentation.
Final Product Requirements
Shredded chicken salad has a refreshing mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. The chicken is tender and juicy, while the onions are crisp and not pungent. The fragrant Vietnamese coriander and the crunch of roasted peanuts make the dish even more appealing.
Video
By simply switching to chicken thighs, you can create a more delicious and juicy shredded chicken salad for your family to enjoy. Hopefully, the recipe shared by Cookbeo will help you perfect this dish.
