Spicy Thai Chicken Salad

This dish captures the vibrant, spicy flavors of Northern Thailand, harmonizing succulent minced chicken with aromatic mint, cilantro, and a perfectly balanced fish sauce. The toasted rice powder provides a signature crunch, while bright lime acidity creates a refreshing, multi-layered profile of depth and character. It is a quintessential choice for those desiring an authentic culinary journey that is both bold and sophisticated.

Prep: 15 min
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Medium

WhatsAppOriginal recipe

Instructions

Servings:4

1In a dry pan, toast the rice and the lime leaf over high heat until it is dark brown in color.
2Transfer to a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder and grind until fine, being careful not to grind too much.
3In a wide pot, bring water or stock to a boil, then add the ground chicken and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, and cook until the chicken is ready.
4Remove from the heat and stir in the shallots to soften a little.
5Add fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes and toasted rice powder, and mix well.
6Combine green onion and cilantro, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
7Place on a plate and sprinkle over mint, garnish with chili flakes and crispy chicken skin if desired.
8Serve hot or at room temperature with sticky rice and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

10 oz ground chicken, preferably dark meat
2 tbsp water or unsalted chicken broth
1 tbsp + 2 tsp fish sauce (check label for soy)
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1-2 tsp roasted chili flakes, to taste
2-3 tbsp toasted rice powder
6-8 cilantro stems
2-3 sawtooth coriander leaves (optional)
1 green onion, chopped

Nutrition

Calories: 50
Protein: 1.6g
Carbs: 6.5g

Chef tips

For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu. Adjust chili flakes for desired spiciness.

Culinary reasoning

This dish captures the vibrant, spicy flavors of Northern Thailand, harmonizing succulent minced chicken with aromatic mint, cilantro, and a perfectly balanced fish sauce. The toasted rice powder provides a signature crunch, while bright lime acidity creates a refreshing, multi-layered profile of depth and character. It is a quintessential choice for those desiring an authentic culinary journey that is both bold and sophisticated.

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1/3 cup mint leaves, torn

Sticky rice for serving

Fresh vegetables for serving (cabbage, long beans, cucumber, etc.)

Crispy chicken skin for garnish (optional)

3 tbsp Thai sticky rice or jasmine rice, uncooked

1 kaffir lime leaf (optional)

Nutrition

Calories: 50
Protein: 1.6g
Carbs: 6.5g

Chef tips

For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu. Adjust chili flakes for desired spiciness.