The Best Chicken Cabbage Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

How a Trip to the Market Inspired This Chicken Cabbage Salad

Once a week or so, I make a trip to my favorite farmer’s market-like store. It’s one of those places where you know you’re getting produce straight from the farmer to your table—and honestly, it’s my happy place. I joke that it’s the happiest place on earth, but seriously, it’s where I get all my inspiration. The variety of colors, smells, and textures nature offers is just incredible. I always believe that when different veggies are in season at the same time, they just pair together so well.

The best part? Every week, I come back home with a load of vibrant, fresh veggies I can’t wait to turn into something delicious. This salad? It was born out of one of those trips, packed with crunchy, juicy, sweet veggies—and just as delicious as it is beautiful.

Tired of the same old salads? This chicken cabbage salad is packed with crunchy veggies, juicy marinated chicken, and a creamy peanut dressing.

I get it—sometimes salads can seem boring. Same old veggies, same old dressing, and honestly? You’re still hungry after finishing it. It can get confusing—what veggie combos will work? What dressing will go with it? How do you make it interesting enough to actually want to finish? How do you make it filling enough to feel like a full meal? Confused? I was too, but not anymore. This salad recipe is here to change that.

Why does this chicken cabbage salad hit the spot?

It’s got so much going for it, each bite is different. It’s easy to make, packed with textures, and it’ll leave you full without feeling weighed down. The crunch of cabbage, the juiciness of the caramelized chicken, and that creamy peanut dressing that ties everything together perfectly. You can mix up the veggie combos based on what you have in the fridge—it’s super versatile. And the peanut dressing? Made of simple stuff you probably already have—peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil and lemon juice.

Vegetarian? No problem. Swap the chicken for tofu, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, or any combo of that. You can even swap the chicken with noodles—it will be SO GOOD.

It’s GREAT for MEAL PREP.

You can prep everything in advance—chop the veggies, cook the chicken, make the dressing—and keep them in the fridge separately. Then, when you’re ready, toss everything together, and you’ve got yourself a meal. It keeps the crunch and stays fresh.

PLUS, IT’S GREAT FOR A BUILD-YOUR-OWN SALAD STATION. Simply prep everything separately, and let everyone create their own salad. It’s a perfect idea for gatherings. You can even add some extra options like tofu, mushrooms, broccoli or noodles for variety.

Oh, and did I mention how customizable it is? If you’ve got picky eaters or people with different dietary preferences, you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit them. For example, you can even throw in some extra toppings like sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or even fried onions for a little extra crunch. It’s one of those salads that can adapt to whatever you’ve got on hand, and trust me, it always hits the spot.

Ready to dive in? Let me show you how to make it!

INGREDIENTS

1. Chicken: Whether you use chicken breast or thigh, make sure to pound it thin. This helps the meat cook faster and creates more surface area for caramelizing and flavor. I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but feel free to use ones with the skin on if you prefer.
2. Chicken Marinade: The marinade includes soy sauce, honey, Chinese cooking wine, and cornstarch. The soy sauce adds a deep brown color and savory flavor, while the honey brings sweetness and helps the chicken caramelize beautifully. The Chinese cooking wine enhances the flavor (kind of like magic), and the cornstarch keeps the chicken juicy and tender.
3. Cabbage: Cabbage forms the base of this salad. Slice it super thin to keep the textures delicate and to let the other ingredients shine. I prefer white cabbage, but any type works. Adding some purple cabbage gives it a fun pop of color.
4. Veggies: Radishes bring tanginess, carrots add crunch, snow peas offer sweetness and more texture, and avocado adds creaminess. You can also mix things up with corn, broccoli, kohlrabi, bean sprouts, cucumber, or edamame—whatever you have on hand!
5. Herbs: These are non-negotiable. Seriously, don’t skip them. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, just use extra mint. The mint is the star here—I love leaving the leaves whole for bursts of freshness. Trust me, every bite with mint will make you thankful you included it.
6. Aromatics: Ginger adds warmth and depth to the dressing, while green onions bring a fresh, subtle kick. For an extra layer of flavor, you can toss in some chopped pickled ginger—it adds a delightful tang. If you’re a garlic fan, feel free to add minced garlic to the dressing for a punch of savoriness.
7. Dressing: The dressing is a mix of honey, soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, and lemon juice. You really can’t go wrong with the honey-soy combo—it’s a classic. Sesame oil brings a deep, nutty flavor, peanut butter adds richness and creaminess, and lemon juice brings freshness to balance it all out.

Chicken Cabbage Salad with | Tips:

1. Chicken Marinade: I kept it simple, but feel free to customize—add garlic, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, or anything you like to amp up the flavor.
2. Cooking the Chicken: Cook the chicken on medium-high heat to get that perfect caramelization without overcooking it. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
3. Dressing: Mixing peanut butter into the dressing can be a bit of a workout. Use a small whisk or shake it all up in a jar to get it super smooth. Both smooth or chunky peanut butter work—go with your favorite.
4. Avocado: Keep it in large chunks so it doesn’t turn to mush when you mix the salad. Toss it in fresh lemon or lime juice to prevent browning and keep it looking vibrant.
5. Veg: Cut the veggies in different shapes and sizes to add texture and keep the salad exciting.
6. Herbs: If your herbs have seen better days, pop them in some ice water—they’ll perk right up and be as good as new.
7. Topping Options: Add toasted peanuts, sesame seeds, or your favorite crunchy extras for more texture and flavor!
8. Storage: Store the dressing, chicken, and veggies separately if you’re meal-prepping. Toss everything together right before serving to keep the crunch fresh.

I encourage you to visit your favorite veggie store, see what’s in season, and get inspired. Make this chicken cabbage salad with your favorite veggies and create your own perfect combo. Have fun with it—this salad is all about personalizing to your taste and making it your own!