Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe:

• Ideal Use of Leftover Chicken: This recipe was specifically designed to utilize leftover roast chicken, one of our favorite time-saving hacks. Feel free to substitute with cooked chicken breasts if you prefer.
• Perfect Texture and Flavor Balance: This chicken salad strikes the perfect balance – crisp and creamy, sweet and savory, and delightfully tangy. It truly has it all!
• Excellent for Meal Prep: The combination of fresh vegetables and shredded chicken, coated in a mouthwatering sauce, makes for an incredibly convenient and satisfying lunch (or a refreshing dinner).

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: We often grab a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat, but you can also cook 1 to 1 ½ pounds of chicken breast and shred it instead.
• Cabbage: We use both napa cabbage and red cabbage for a colorful and textural mix. If napa cabbage isn’t available, green cabbage is a fine substitute. Make sure to shred it finely!
• Carrot: You’ll need 1 cup of shredded carrot. Buy it pre-shredded for convenience, or shred your own using a box grater. One large carrot (or two small ones) will yield about 1 cup.
• Bean Sprouts: These add a wonderful crunch and help bulk up the salad. If you don’t have any, they can be omitted.
• Edamame: Shelled soybeans. We usually buy them frozen and thaw them before adding to the salad.
• Cucumber: Mini cucumbers are our favorite, but English cucumbers work well too!
• Green Onion: Thinly sliced, these add a subtle onion flavor.
• Chopped Peanuts: Optional, but they add a delightful garnish, crunch, and slightly nutty flavor.

For the Bang Bang Dressing:

• Mayonnaise (or a blend of mayonnaise and Greek Yogurt for a lighter option)
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Rice Vinegar
• Soy Sauce
• Sriracha
• Maple Syrup
• Lime Juice
• Garlic

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Salad: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Craft the Bang Bang Dressing:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the following ingredients until smooth:

• ¾ cup mayonnaise (or a mix of half mayonnaise and half Greek yogurt)
• ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
• 2-4 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 minced clove of garlic

Step 2: Assemble the Chicken Salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine the napa cabbage, red cabbage, cucumber, carrot, edamame, and green onion.
2. Toss well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Add 3 cups of cooked and shredded (or cubed) chicken.
4. Drizzle about half of the bang bang sauce over the salad and toss until the salad is evenly coated.
5. Sprinkle the bean sprouts on top of the salad and toss gently until they are well incorporated.
6. Add more bang bang dressing as needed until you achieve your desired level of sauciness. Note that the recipe yields a generous amount of sauce!

Garnish with chopped peanuts, extra bean sprouts, and sliced green onion. Serve immediately and enjoy the incredible flavors!

Elevate Your Salad: Extra Flavor Options

• Peanut Butter or Tahini: For a richer, nuttier flavor, add a tablespoon of peanut butter or tahini (sesame paste) to the bang bang dressing mixture.
• Sesame Oil: Add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil to the dressing for a boost of flavor. Garnish the salad with sesame seeds for a little extra crunch and flavor.
• Chili Oil: Drizzle a bit of chili oil or chili crisp over the finished salad for added crunch and heat.

Expert Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken Salad

• Easy Peanut Chopping: If you prefer not to use a sharp knife (or don’t have a nut chopper), place the peanuts in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
• Prepare Ahead for Potlucks: Assemble the salad components, but keep the dressing separate until just before serving. Store the salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge until ready to serve. This prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
• Dress to Your Liking: Add the dressing gradually, a little at a time, until you achieve your perfect texture and flavor. Remember that this recipe yields a generous amount of Bang Bang sauce, so you will likely have some leftover.

Top Tip: Try using the leftover bang bang sauce with our favorite air fryer salmon bites! The combination is simply irresistible.

Craving More Chicken Recipes?