Legume Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

Total time1 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time20 min

Legume Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

This vibrant, crunchy salad is everything you want in a warm-weather meal — tender poached chicken, a rainbow of shredded cabbage and julienned carrots, and a bright coconut ginger dressing that ties it all together beautifully. The dressing is built around coconut aminos, fresh ginger, lime juice, and a touch of honey, delivering that bold umami-forward flavor you'd expect from a great Asian-inspired dish without a single legume in sight. That matters more than it sounds, because soy sauce — the usual go-to in recipes like this — is off the table, and coconut aminos step in seamlessly without sacrificing any depth. Poaching the chicken with fresh ginger slices is a simple technique that keeps the meat incredibly moist and subtly fragrant, making it the perfect base for a salad this fresh and herb-forward. Cilantro and torn mint leaves woven through the mix give every bite a little pop of brightness, and the optional toasted coconut flakes on top add a satisfying, nutty finish. It comes together in one big bowl with minimal fuss, and the whole thing feels light yet genuinely filling. Whether you're navigating a specific dietary need or just looking for a salad that actually delivers on flavor, this one earns a permanent spot in the rotation.

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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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