ZESTY THAI MINCED CHICKEN SALAD
Zesty Thai Minced Chicken Salad is a classic Northeastern Thai dish with intense flavour in every bite. It’s a warm, spicy, minced chicken salad made with simple ingredients like lime juice, fish sauce and toasted rice powder, complemented by a generous amount of fresh mint. This single-serving salad is bursting with savoury, tangy and herbal notes that make it incredibly refreshing and satisfying, served warm or at room temperature. Traditionally eaten with sticky rice or wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves, larb is low in carbs and high in protein, making it ideal for a light meal or starter. This dish is easy and quick to prepare and a fantastic way to enjoy bold Thai flavours in a healthy and wholesome format. Customise the heat level and herbs to make it your own.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Appetisers
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Thai
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
Pan-Fry, No-Cook
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Summer
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Low Fat
DISH TYPE
Salad
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients for Zesty Thai Minced Chicken Salad:
- ¼ cup ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- ½ teaspoon toasted rice powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped mint
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 92.3 kcal
- Protein: 10.3 g
- Fat: 4.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.4 g
- Sugars: 0.2 g
- Fibre: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 271.2 mg
- Potassium: 334.4 mg
- Cholesterol: 48.6 mg
- Calcium: 16.6 mg
- Iron: 1.2 mg
PREPARATION
These steps are followed for the preparation of Zesty Thai Minced Chicken Salad:
- Cook The Chicken: In a non-stick skillet over medium flame, cook the ground chicken without oil. Break it into small crumbles using a spatula. Stir occasionally for 4–5 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Remove From Heat: Once cooked, remove the chicken from heat and let it cool slightly for 1–2 minutes.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in lime juice, fish sauce and toasted rice powder. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly.
- Add Fresh Mint: Toss in the chopped mint and gently mix again. The residual heat will release the mint’s aroma without wilting it completely.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer to a plate or bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with lettuce leaves or sticky rice.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
5 minutes
TIPS
Here are some helpful tips for Zesty Thai Minced Chicken Salad:
- Toast Your Rice Powder: Dry-toast uncooked sticky rice in a skillet until golden, then grind into powder for the most authentic taste.
- Use Lean Chicken: Opt for lean ground chicken to reduce excess grease and keep the texture light.
- Balance The Flavours: Adjust lime and fish sauce to taste for the perfect sour and salty balance.
- Cool Slightly Before Mixing: Letting the chicken cool slightly prevents the mint from wilting too much.
- Chop Mint Just Before Use: This preserves its vibrant aroma and colour.
VARIATIONS
- Vegan Version: Replace chicken with crumbled tofu or tempeh and use a vegan fish sauce alternative.
- Add Heat: Stir in chopped Thai chillies or red chilli flakes for more spice.
- Herbal Additions: Include chopped cilantro or Thai basil for added freshness.
- Crispy Texture: Add crushed roasted peanuts or fried shallots for crunch.
- Make It A Meal: Serve with sticky rice or overcooked quinoa for a more filling option.
- Lettuce Wrap Style: Spoon larb into butter lettuce or romaine leaves for a handheld appetiser.
- Fruit Fusion: Add diced green mango or pomelo for a sweet-tangy twist.
- Sweeten Lightly: Include a pinch of palm sugar to round out the sour and salty tones.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Flavour develops as it sits.
- Reheat: Gently warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave briefly before serving.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as fresh mint and toasted rice lose texture after thawing.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Cook chicken and prepare rice powder in advance. Mix with herbs and dressing just before serving.
- Avoid Overmixing: When reheating, stir gently to preserve the original texture.