Powered by Mom’s Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe – Goi Ga
A spring and summer favourite – Vietnamese Chicken Salad with lime, basil and mint
Spring is finally here! While the weather may not always make us feel like it’s spring I still enjoy eating some of my favourite spring and summer recipes. One of my favourites is this Vietnamese Chicken Salad or in Vietnamese Goi Ga. It’s refreshing, full of flavour, filling and best of all oh so easy to make! With ingredients like lime, Thai basil and mint this truly is the perfect spring recipe.
Just like my mom used to make
This recipe is one my mom used to make for us growing up. This Vietnamese Chicken Salad was on the table more than once come spring and summer. I’m thrilled to share a family favourite recipe that is also a representation of my Vietnamese heritage. I continue to pass down my knowledge on Vietnamese culture to my daughter which of course includes a love of Vietnamese food. It’s not hard to do as the food is so flavourful.
Chicken Recipe Inspiration
If you ever need some inspiration for some fabulous chicken recipes, Chicken Farms of Canada has an amazing collection of recipes. I often go there to get ideas or make one of their scrumptious recipes. We eat a lot of chicken in our family so I’m always looking for ideas. This Vietnamese Chicken Salad recipe is so incredibly easy to make. You can even use leftover chicken if you like. I’ll even share a tip that will make this one of the quickest yet still tasty meals you all can enjoy.
A glimpse of just some of the ingredients in this recipe including sriracha. If you don’t want it spicy at all skip the sriracha but it does give the salad dressing a nice little kick.
It’s not colseslaw!
While this salad is made with cabbage it’s nothing like a coleslaw. I don’t like coleslaw, never have but I LOVE this Vietnamese Chicken Salad. There’s no comparison besides both having cabbage in them they are nothing alike.
Let’s get onto the recipe and watch for my tips on ways to change it up a bit and to cut down on prep time if you’re short on time.
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Vietnamese Chicken Salad – Goi Ga
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Large salad for 4-6
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 Chicken Breasts – cooked any way you want, grilled, baked, roasted etc.
- 1/2-whole large cabbage – can be red, green etc.. or mix them like I do
- Tip#1 if you’re short on time you can buy a bag of mixed cabbage already shredded – no chopping for you to do
- 2 carrots, peeled, cut into matchstick size
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil or if you can’t find that regular basil or fresh coriander
- 1/2 cup of peanuts
- Chili Flakes optional
Vietnamese Dressing
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1/3 cup fish sauce (don’t worry the salad will not taste “fishy”) add a bit less if this is your first time trying
- 1 clove garlic
- Sriracha to taste
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (optional) some people like a bit of sweetness I don’t use the sugar but some of my guess like it with
Instructions
Vietnamese Dressing
- Whisk lime juice and fish sauce together. If adding sriracha do so now, then sugar (if adding) until sugar is dissolved. Add crushed garlic
Salad
- Shred Chicken and place it in a large salad bowl with all the cabbage, carrots, mint and Thai basil
- Toss salad.
- You can either add the dressing to the entire bowl or serve the salad and add dressing to each individual bowl. If adding to entire bowl add just before serving. Add half of the dressing and see if you like the strength the dressing. Add more as needed
- Top with crushed peanuts and add a bit more of the freshly chopped mint and Thai basil
- Add chili flakes if desired
- Serve
Notes
Remember you can cut your time quite a bit if you’re good with buying a bag of cut cabbage like ones used for coleslaw.
Any cabbage will do but we like the look of different coloured cabbages
If it’s the first time you’ve had this dressing, try a bit first and see if you like it a bit sweeter (add sugar) or spicier (add sriracha)
The salad before I’ve added dressing and peanuts. If you think you’ll eat all of it add dressing to the entire bowl if not see below.
Easy Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe
So easy right? It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or you can cook the chicken any way you want. Although my favourite chicken on this salad is either roasted chicken or grilled chicken. Between the vegetables, fresh herbs and the chicken it’s not only a healthy recipe but so delicious. The flavour combination is delectable and oh so refreshing. The salad even with the dressing on it will keep for a couple of days. If you make extras like we tend to I don’t add the dressing all the salad. I add it to our individual servings so that I can keep the rest of the salad and eat throughout the week. I know I always make too much but these are leftovers I really like especially on a hot day when I don’t want to turn an oven on.
Don’t forget if you’re looking for some fabulous chicken recipe ideas to head on over to the Chicken Farmers of Canada website. They’ve also got helpful food safety tips, how to cook chicken and how Canadian chicken is raised. For example did you know that Canadian chicken is grain fed, free of hormones and steroids? We always look for Raised by a Canadian Farmer logo on the chicken we buy. Fortunately our local stores always carry it, if yours doesn’t have the logo talk to your store’s manager and ask for it.
If you try this recipe out make sure to let us know how you liked it. make sure to also check out some of our other yummy chicken recipes like these:
Baked Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings
For the latest information, news and contests make sure to go to Canadian Chicken Farmers site HERE.
Connect with the Chicken Farmers of Canada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Disclosure: I am participating in the Chicken Farmers of Canada campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
lisa says
That looks and sounds good. A light salad for hot summer days.
Jerri says
Great looking salad! And the wings look amazing too. Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week.
Lauren says
This salad looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it at the Creative Corner link up party!
Miz Helen says
Your Chicken Salad looks awesome, thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday! Have a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Vanessa says
This is so good. I love how easy it is to make. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging link party. We love having you.
Michelle Leslie says
That sounds so delicious, especially with the lime, Thai basil and mint dressing. Can’t wait to try it
Heidi says
This looks so fresh and delicious! Perfect for light summer eating!
shelley says
This looks so good and since I’m late learning to like cabbage, I’m always looking or recipes that use it.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
like this different version of a chicken salad . The lime,mint and Thai basil should makes it taste fresh.
Tainan Lu says
This salad looks delicious. I would love to try it
Lisa Ogle says
I do not like coleslaw either but the flavors sound delicious, I would defiantly give this a try!
Geri C says
I have never heard of this before, but it looks delicious!
shannon fowler says
This looks so good! I love chicken. Its about the only meat I eat, so its great to have new recipes to try.
Rachel says
This salad looks fantastic! I can’t wait to try it.
Mia says
I have enjoyed this dish in restaurants but never thought of trying to make it myself. I love the mix of flavors and ingredients in this recipe. Light and refreshing.
Marcie W. says
This looks so good. Perfectly light and refreshing for the warmer weather too.
Mahdi Martin says
That looks delicious! The only thing I would change is using a different hot sauce, because I’m not a fan of Sriracha. I know, I’m in the minority!
Dawn says
I have all the ingredients except fish sauce. Will get some tomorrow and will make this soon! Looks delicious!
Debbie Welchert says
This salad looks and sounds amazing. It would be a great salad to have on a hot summer day. It sounds so refreshing.
Lanie says
yummy! this salad looks so good. I would love to try this out, and even make it with a peanut sauce. Ty for sharing!
Mary says
I guess the dressing is what makes it Vietnamese. I’ve never had any Vietnamese food, and that is definitely different than anything I would have come up with.
Sally Wilsey says
That Chicken Salad sounds amazing. It would be great on a hot summer night as it sounds filling. What and interesting and diverse group of items.
April Monty says
This looks really great,my guys would absolutely devour it. Must make
Alicia Hewitt says
This salad looks delicious!!! I love chicken salads and Vietnamese food so I’m positive I’ll love this recipe!! I can’t wait to try it!
Mary Beth Elderton says
This sounds wonderful! It is getting the time of year for lighter dinners, and this looks perfect for a busy wam evening.
Heather! says
Wow, that looks and sounds good…and super refreshing! I’ll definitely have to try this. Thanks!
Tamra Phelps says
The salad sounds really good. In the mid 70s, a Vietnamese family moved in down the street from us & their Mom cooked some of the best food I’ve ever tried. That was my introduction to fish sauce!
Sally Gearhart says
This chicken salad sounds way better than the traditional recipe with mayo to me! I will eat chicken salad with grapes but only once in a while, it tends to be a heavy meal. This recipe sounds refreshing and just good! Also I love Sriracha sauce, i always have it in the fridge!
kath g says
I’m a big fan of Vietnamese (and Thai food) and this looks like it would be a regular meal at my house. I think I’ll make it even more of a time saver and pick up a roasted chicken at the store. Thanks for the recipe, I’m saving it.
Judy Thomas says
It looks delicious, thanks for the recipe.
Zoey says
I think my mom would really like this recipe! She’s a big fan of Chinese chicken salad, so this seems like a nice alternative!
Kara Marks says
This sounds just wonderful–ty for the recipe!
Cheryl Everitt says
Easy – peasy! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Allyson R Becker says
The salad looks healthy and light. So refreshing.
Catherine Lewis says
Yum, I think I will try making this. I love trying new rcipes!
Dee Lafrenz says
I do like salad on hot days especially, but I like to change things up. Thank you, I will try this with the peanuts!
Susan Hartman says
The chicken salad looks good and different. I’m looking for some warm weather dishes.
Barbara says
I must try this.
Sandy Cain says
So great looking! Spring is the time for new salads, and this one looks amazing! Pinned and planned thank you!
Richard Hicks says
It looks tasty and great. Will have to try and make one soon
Sarah L says
Great flavors in this salad. I like the fresh lime & basil
Rosie says
This salad looks soo good. I like trying new things, and I haven’t ever made a salad like this.
Margot C says
I have never had this salad and it’s so simple and delicious.
Lynne B says
This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing your mom’s recipe! Pinning!
Sandra Watts says
That looks really good. It is bright and colorful and healthy!
monique s says
this looks so fresh and healthy. This is perfect for spring and summer and bbqs too
Bryan Vice says
Wow this looks really healthy and good. and quick i like the addition of peanuts i think will give some good flavor.. i’m going to print this out and try this weekend thanks for sharing
Maryann D. says
Vietnamese Chicken Salad has a lot of healthy ingredients and would be a wonderful lunch for me. I would have a bowl of soup with it also.
rochelle haynes says
This sounds good love to try this
Tina Alexander says
During the summer I keep cooking to a minimal so sandwiches and salads are a go-to. I have never tried the Vietnamese Salad but the cabbages blended with the other ingredients sound like a healthy yet filling salad.Plus it’s great to have a new salad to present to my family .I’ve never used mint in my salad at all so it definitely will be a new twist.
Linda Szymoniak says
I’m constantly on the look-out for new recipes. I want healthy recipes (especially for my daughter and myself – my husband won’t eat most of the healthy things). My daughter and I especially love Asian food. I mostly cook Japanese, but am trying to incorporate more foods from other Asian cultures. I’m definitely going to have to try this.
Adriane says
The lime, basil, mint combo sounds refreshing.
Gail Williams says
I will try to make this Vietnamese Chicken Salad this month. I am not a creative cook but this looks so amazing that I will try to
surprise my husband by making it.
Saki AB says
I love asian dish, especially Vietnamese! Thanks for sharing, I have most ingredients except fish sauce. I got to run to asian market tomorrow!
Lauryn R says
This sounds delicious!! I love chicken salad and this version seems so light and perfect for Summertime! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
April Monty says
My guys would gobble up this chicken salad !! Must try it.
DENISE LOW says
I would love to try the chicken salad. It looks good. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Jeanine Carlson says
This has a lot of the same components as Tom Ka Gai, which is one of my favorite things!
Rox says
This looks very very good and refreshing! Low carb!
Patricia Hoffmeister says
Chicken Salad is one of my favorite foods. Once I went to every restaurant in town trying their chicken salad sandwiches. This sounds very different but delicious and healthier.
lisa says
That doesn’t sounds bad. I may try it. When I think of chicken salad, I think of it mixed with mayo, onion, celery and having it as a sandwich. This sounds much lighter and healthier.
Terri S says
WOW! This looks so good! I love chicken salad. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Mary says
I like the new version of chicken salad. I’ll have to make this w/o the peanuts soon.