Rice Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

Total time1 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time20 min

Rice Free Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Coconut Ginger Dressing

This vibrant, crunchy salad is everything you want in a fresh, flavor-packed meal — tender poached chicken, a rainbow of shredded cabbage and julienned carrots, and bright herbs like cilantro and mint that make every bite feel alive. The real star is the coconut ginger dressing, a punchy blend of coconut aminos, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and turmeric that delivers bold, tangy depth without a single grain in sight. For anyone navigating a rice-free lifestyle, Asian-inspired dishes can feel like a minefield of hidden grains, but this one is naturally built around vegetables and clean, whole ingredients from the ground up. Poaching the chicken with fresh ginger slices is a simple technique that keeps the meat incredibly moist and subtly fragrant — no dry, rubbery shreds here. The coconut aminos step in beautifully where soy sauce might otherwise go, giving that savory, umami backbone without any of the usual concerns. A handful of toasted coconut flakes on top adds a satisfying crunch and ties the tropical notes of the dressing together in the best way. It comes together in one big bowl and is the kind of dish that tastes even better once the dressing has had a minute to work its way into every layer.

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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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