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Thai Salad With Avocado Recipe

Thai Salad with Avocado Recipe

A vibrant and refreshing Thai-inspired salad featuring tender cooked chicken, creamy avocado, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lime and fish sauce dressing. Topped with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts, it's a perfect light yet satisfying main course.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 510

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 large chicken breasts about 400g, skinless and boneless
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large head of romaine lettuce washed and chopped
  • 1 large carrot julienned or grated
  • 1 large cucumber deseeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 red pepper deseeded and thinly sliced
  • 100 g cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 ripe but firm avocados stoned, peeled, and sliced
  • A large handful of fresh coriander roughly chopped
  • A small handful of fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
  • 75 g roasted peanuts roughly chopped
For the Dressing
  • 4 tbsp fresh lime juice from about 2-3 limes
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce nam pla
  • 1 tbsp runny honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 clove of garlic finely minced
  • 1 red chilli deseeded and finely chopped (optional)

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with kitchen paper. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. You can slice them into thinner cutlets for faster, more even cooking if you prefer.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or griddle pan over a medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 74°C (165°F). Avoid moving the chicken too much to develop a nice crust.
  3. Rest the Chicken: This step is crucial! Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and moist. Once rested, slice it into bite-sized strips.
  4. Make the Zesty Dressing: While the chicken is resting, prepare the dressing. In a small jar with a lid, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and chopped red chilli (if using). Screw the lid on tightly and shake vigorously until everything is well combined and emulsified.
  5. Prepare the Vegetables: In your large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, red pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes. Add most of the chopped coriander and mint, saving a little for garnish.
  6. Assemble the Salad: Add the sliced, rested chicken to the bowl of vegetables. Just before you're ready to serve, add the sliced avocado. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad.
  7. Toss and Serve: Gently toss everything together using salad servers, being careful not to mash the avocado. You want to coat all the ingredients without bruising them. Have a taste and add more dressing if you think it needs it.
  8. Garnish and Enjoy: Divide the salad among four plates. Garnish with the chopped roasted peanuts and the remaining fresh coriander and mint. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, vibrant results of your work!

Notes

Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option. Adjust the amount of red chilli to your preferred spice level. Resting the chicken for 10 minutes after cooking is crucial for ensuring it remains tender and moist.