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Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

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5 from 1 vote
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This peanut crunch chicken salad is the perfect balance of fresh, hearty, and flavorful. Packed with tender shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy peanut dressing with just the right amount of heat, this salad is satisfying enough for dinner but light enough for lunch. If you love bold Asian-inspired flavors and easy, no-fuss meals, this crunchy peanut chicken salad recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again. Honestly, prepare to become obsessed. I crave this salad all the time. The flavours are like nothing else. You have to try it!

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

This peanut crunch chicken salad hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, sweet, savory, and slightly spicy. It’s high in protein, quick to assemble, and ideal for meal prep. Using prepackaged coleslaw mix keeps prep time minimal while still delivering plenty of texture. The peanut dressing comes together in minutes and coats every bite beautifully.

How to Assemble the Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

Whisk together Greek yogurt, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger and garlic powder, chili oil, and water until smooth. Toss shredded chicken, coleslaw mix, red onion, and nuts in a large bowl. Pour dressing over top and toss until evenly coated.

Serving & Storage Tips

Serve immediately for maximum crunch or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld. This salad stores well in the fridge for up to three days, making it perfect for meal prep.

A Fresh, Flavor-Packed Salad You’ll Crave

Crunchy peanut chicken salad is bold, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. With its creamy dressing and crisp texture, it’s a healthy, protein-packed meal that never feels boring.

This peanut crunch chicken salad is the perfect balance of fresh, hearty, and flavorful. Packed with tender shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy peanut dressing with just the right amount of heat, this salad is satisfying enough for dinner but light enough for lunch. If you love bold Asian-inspired flavors and easy, no-fuss meals, this crunchy peanut chicken salad recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

This peanut crunch chicken salad hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, sweet, savory, and slightly spicy. It’s high in protein, quick to assemble, and ideal for meal prep. Using prepackaged coleslaw mix keeps prep time minimal while still delivering plenty of texture. The peanut dressing comes together in minutes and coats every bite beautifully.

How to Assemble the Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

Whisk together Greek yogurt, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, ginger and garlic powder, chili oil, and water until smooth. Toss shredded chicken, coleslaw mix, red onion, and nuts in a large bowl. Pour dressing over top and toss until evenly coated.

Serving & Storage Tips

Serve immediately for maximum crunch or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld. This salad stores well in the fridge for up to three days, making it perfect for meal prep.

A Fresh, Flavor-Packed Salad You’ll Crave

Crunchy peanut chicken salad is bold, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. With its creamy dressing and crisp texture, it’s a healthy, protein-packed meal that never feels boring.

How To Make Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

The Ingredients

Shredded Chicken

Shredded chicken adds lean protein and makes this salad filling and satisfying. Rotisserie chicken works especially well for convenience.
Substitutes: Grilled chicken breast, leftover roasted chicken, shredded turkey, baked tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt creates a creamy base for the peanut dressing while keeping it lighter and higher in protein than traditional dressings.
Substitutes: Regular yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, mayo, coconut yogurt, or a mix of yogurt and mayo.

Creamy Peanut Butter

Peanut butter adds richness and classic nutty flavor to the dressing. Natural peanut butter works best.
Substitutes: Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for a nut-free option.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami to balance the sweetness and richness of the dressing.
Substitutes: Tamari (gluten-free), coconut aminos (slightly sweeter), or low-sodium soy sauce.

Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar adds brightness and acidity without overpowering the dressing.
Substitutes: Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, lime juice, or lemon juice.

Maple Syrup (Optional)

Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness that balances the salty and spicy elements.
Substitutes: Honey, agave syrup, brown sugar, or omit for a less sweet dressing.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil provides a deep, toasted flavor that gives the dressing an authentic Asian-inspired taste.
Substitutes: Toasted sesame oil (use less), peanut oil, or omit if unavailable.

Ginger & Garlic Powder

These spices add warmth and depth without needing fresh aromatics.
Substitutes: Fresh grated ginger and garlic, ground ginger alone, or garlic powder only.

Chili Oil

Chili oil adds heat and complexity to the dressing.
Substitutes: Sriracha, sambal oelek, red pepper flakes, chili crisp, or omit for mild.

Water

A splash of water helps thin the dressing to your desired consistency.
Substitutes: Lime juice, extra vinegar, or coconut milk for a richer dressing.

Coleslaw Mix

Prepackaged coleslaw provides crunch, color, and convenience.
Substitutes: Shredded cabbage, napa cabbage, romaine, kale, or broccoli slaw.

Red Onion

Red onion adds sharpness and color.
Substitutes: Shallots, green onions, pickled red onion, or sweet onion.

Cashews or Peanuts

These add extra crunch and reinforce the nutty flavor.
Substitutes: Almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or omit for nut-free.

What You Need

The Steps

  • Shred chicken (if using rotisserie chicken or boil 2 chicken breasts for 25 mins).
  • In a large bowls combine the dressing ingredients: yogurt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, peanut butter, maple syrup (if using), ginger and garlic powder, chili oil
  • Add chicken & coleslaw (I like to chop any big chunks of cabbage ensuring a similar consistency throughout)
  • Add red onion, toss well and sprinkle with nuts
  • Eat immediately with pita chips, as a salad or in a wrap
  • Store leftovers in containers for up to 3 days

Recipe Tips

  • If you're making this for meal prep lunches leave the nuts out then add before eating so they don't get soggy.
  • If you want to make this lower calorie/reduce the fat swap the peanut butter for peanut butter powder. 

 

Peanut Crunch Chicken Salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 440

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup optional
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp ginger & garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chili oil
  • A few splashes of water to thin it out optional
  • 1 small package of coleslaw mix
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup diced cashews or peanuts

Instructions

  • Shred chicken (if using rotisserie chicken or boil 2 chicken breasts for 25 mins).
  • In a large bowls combine the dressing ingredients: yogurt, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, peanut butter, maple syrup (if using), ginger and garlic powder, chili oil
  • Add chicken & coleslaw (I like to chop any big chunks of cabbage ensuring a similar consistency throughout)
  • Add red onion, toss well and sprinkle with nuts
  • Eat immediately with pita chips, as a salad or in a wrap
  • Store leftovers in containers for up to 3 days

Notes

  • If you're making this for meal prep lunches leave the nuts out then add before eating so they don't get soggy.
  • If you want to make this lower calorie/reduce the fat swap the peanut butter for peanut butter powder. 

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 35gFat: 26gFiber: 5g

2 Reviews

  1. Steph
    Steph on January 19, 2026 at 11:23 pm

    5 stars
    This is so good and easy!!! It’s so similar to the Asian chicken salad from Panera.

    Reply
    • Ivanka Hanley
      Ivanka Hanley on January 20, 2026 at 2:44 am

      I’m so glad you thought so!!

      Reply

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Meet Ivanka

Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

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