Black Pepper Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

Total time1 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time20 min

Black Pepper Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

This vibrant, crunchy salad is everything you want in a warm-weather meal — fresh herbs, colorful vegetables, and tender poached chicken all brought together by a bright, aromatic dressing. The coconut ginger dressing is the real star here, blending coconut aminos, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, and turmeric into something tangy, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying without a single crack of black pepper in sight. For anyone who reacts to black pepper or simply needs to avoid it, finding a boldly flavored Asian-inspired dish that doesn't rely on it can feel nearly impossible — but this one delivers serious depth through ginger, turmeric, and fresh herbs instead. The chicken is gently poached with ginger slices and salt, keeping it incredibly moist and easy to shred into silky strips that soak up every bit of that dressing. Two kinds of cabbage, julienned carrots, cucumber, and a generous handful of cilantro and mint give you satisfying crunch and freshness in every forkful. A scatter of toasted coconut flakes on top adds a subtle nuttiness that ties the whole bowl together beautifully. It comes together with minimal fuss and tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant — except you know exactly what went into it.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the chicken

1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
3 slices fresh ginger (each about ¼ inch thick)

For the salad

3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
1 cup red cabbage, thinly shredded
2 medium carrots, julienned or coarsely grated
1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
3 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
¼ cup fresh mint leaves, torn

For the dressing

3 tbsp coconut aminos
Nutiva Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Soy-Free Soy Sauce Alternative Original - 8 oz Coconut Secret Ssng Sce Orig Soy Free - 16.9 Oz Dynamic Health Coconut Aminos Seasoning Sauce Simple Truth Organic Coconut Aminos All-Purpose Seasoning Sauce, 10 fl oz O Organics Coconut Aminos - 10 FZ
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp honey
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp salt

For serving

1 tbsp toasted coconut flakes (optional)
lime wedges (optional)

Instructions

1
Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover with cold water by about 2 inches. Add the salt and ginger slices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–18 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer at the thickest part.
2
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 10–15 minutes, until cool enough to handle. Discard the poaching liquid and ginger slices. Shred the chicken into thin strips using two forks or your fingers.

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