Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

If you’ve ever stared into the fridge at 5:47 p.m. thinking, “I need dinner… but I also need energy,” let me introduce your new weeknight hero: Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing. It’s crunchy, colorful, satisfying, and somehow feels like takeout—without the sad little plastic fork.

This is the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if there’s a laundry mountain staring at you from the couch). We’re talking golden crispy rice, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a peanut dressing so good you’ll be tempted to “taste test” it about nine times. No judgment. That’s called quality control.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

• Big crunch energy. Chilled rice turns into crispy, golden bits that make every bite exciting.
• Fast but fancy. It looks like something you’d order at a trendy lunch spot, but it’s totally doable at home.
• Balanced and filling. Protein + veggies + carbs + creamy dressing = the kind of meal that keeps you full and happy.
• Perfect for picky eaters. You can keep ingredients separate and let everyone build their own bowl (aka: fewer dinner-table negotiations).

And yes, it’s exactly as delicious as the name Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing sounds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad

• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (chilled) – The chill is the secret to crispiness.
• 400 g boneless skinless chicken breast (thinly sliced) – Cooks fast, stays tender.
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch – Your “crispy chicken” cheat code.
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce – Adds savory depth.
• 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced) – Because garlic makes everything better.
• 3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil – For frying chicken and crisping rice.
• 1 cup red cabbage (finely sliced) – Crunch + color.
• 1 cup carrots (julienned) – Sweet crunch.
• 1 cup cucumber (sliced) – Cool and refreshing.
• 3 stalks green onions (sliced) – Mild bite and freshness.
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped) – Bright, herby finish.

For the Creamy Peanut Dressing

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 2–4 tablespoons warm water – To thin it to your favorite drizzle level.

How to Make Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

1) Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, add your thinly sliced chicken, soy sauce, cornstarch, and minced garlic. Toss until everything is evenly coated.

Let it sit for a few minutes while you prep veggies (or while you stand there eating a carrot stick and wondering why dinner takes effort). The cornstarch helps the chicken cook up with a lightly crisp, golden edge.

2) Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if your skillet is crowded—crowding makes chicken steam, and we want sizzle). Cook about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.

Remove chicken and set it aside.

3) Heat the Skillet for Crispy Rice Magic

Add the remaining oil to the skillet and let it heat. You want the pan hot enough that the rice sizzles when it hits.

4) Crisp the Rice

Spread your chilled jasmine rice into the skillet in an even layer. Press it down gently with a spatula like you mean it.

Now the hardest step: don’t stir it. Let it cook 5–7 minutes until the bottom gets golden and crispy.

If you sneak a peek and it’s not browned yet, give it another minute. Crispy rice is not rushed—it’s wooed.

5) Flip and Crisp Some More

Once the bottom is crispy, gently flip sections of rice (it doesn’t need to be perfect—rustic crunch is still crunch). Cook another 6–8 minutes, turning a bit here and there until you have crispy bits throughout.

You’re aiming for a mix of crunchy golden pieces and a few softer bits—because texture contrast is what makes this salad addictive.

6) Whisk the Creamy Peanut Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together:

• peanut butter
• lime juice
• honey
• grated ginger
• warm water (start with 2 tablespoons)

Whisk until smooth and pourable. Add more warm water a tablespoon at a time until it’s the consistency you like—drizzly, spoonable, or “I’m going to eat this with a spoon” thick.

7) Toss Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine:

• crispy rice
• cooked chicken
• red cabbage
• carrots
• cucumber
• green onions
• cilantro

Mix gently. You worked hard for that crunch—let’s not smash it.

8) Dress the Salad

Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss gently until coated.

Top with extra cilantro if you want that fresh finishing touch (or if your cilantro is already out and you’re trying to be the kind of person who uses all their produce).

My Little Story Behind This Salad

I started making variations of this Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing on days when I had leftover rice and zero patience. One night, I crisped the rice out of desperation—because nobody in my house was excited about “reheated rice again”—and suddenly everyone was hovering in the kitchen like I was running a restaurant.

Now it’s one of my favorite “reset meals”: colorful, crunchy, full of flavor, and it makes leftovers feel brand-new. Honestly, it’s the kind of dinner that makes you feel like a genius even when you’re wearing mismatched socks.

Tips for the Best Crunch (Without Stress)

• Chill the rice. Warm rice won’t crisp well. Cold rice = crunchy gold.
• Press the rice into the pan. More surface contact means more crisp.
• Hands off while it browns. Stirring too early breaks the crisping process.
• Slice chicken thin. Faster cook time, tender bites, and no “is this done?” panic.
• Dressing too thick? Warm water fixes everything. Add a splash and whisk again.
• Dressing looks a little weird at first? Keep whisking. Peanut butter is dramatic like that.

FAQs About Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

Bring the Crunch to Your Table Tonight

If you’re craving a dinner that’s fresh, satisfying, and way more fun than another basic chicken-and-rice situation, Chicken Crispy Rice Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing is it. It’s the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing, your plate look gorgeous, and your taste buds do a happy dance—without requiring a culinary degree or a sink full of complicated dishes.

Make it once, and I have a feeling it’ll become one of those “save me on a busy day” recipes you keep coming back to. And when you do, just remember: crispy rice is the magic… and you’re the one making it happen.

Keep the Chicken Magic Going (More Easy Favorites)

• If you loved the sweet-salty peanut vibe here, you’ll probably swoon over Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps for quick lunches and busy nights—same cozy flavor family, handheld and weeknight-friendly.
• Want another bowl-style meal that feels like takeout (but isn’t)? Try Korean BBQ Chicken Bowls for a saucy, satisfying dinner when you’re craving something bold and comforting.
• If crunchy, fresh, and “I can meal-prep this” is your love language, you’ll enjoy Avocado Chicken Salad that’s creamy, bright, and perfect for leftovers—great for lunches or snacky dinners.
• And when you want another rice-bowl moment with big flavor (and minimal fuss), make Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl with that sweet-corn, zesty kick—it’s a crowd-pleaser on repeat at my house.

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