Description
Spicy Thai Satay Crispy Rice Salad weaves together zesty grilled chicken, crunchy rice, and tangy herbs in a delightful culinary journey. Each fragrant bite promises a harmonious blend of textures that will transport you straight to Bangkok’s bustling street markets.
Ingredients
Scale
Crispy rice:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) cooked jasmine or basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 pinch salt
Vegetables and herbs:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded carrots
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chopped cucumber
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped scallions
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chopped fresh cilantro
Satay dressing and toppings:
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lime juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) grated ginger
- 2–4 tablespoons (30–60 milliliters) warm water
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped roasted peanuts
- Optional: sliced red chili or crushed peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- Craft the crispy rice foundation by heating oil in a spacious nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium-high temperature. Distribute rice evenly across the surface, allowing it to develop a golden, crunchy base without disturbance for 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle with a delicate salt layer, gently toss, and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until achieving maximum crispiness.
- Prepare a vibrant vegetable medley by combining shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, finely chopped scallions, and fresh cilantro leaves in a generous mixing bowl. Toss the ingredients to create a harmonious blend of textures and colors.
- Craft the satay dressing by whisking together creamy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, zesty lime juice, golden honey, aromatic sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Gradually introduce warm water, stirring until the mixture reaches a silky, pourable consistency.
- Construct the salad by artfully spreading the crispy rice across a serving platter or individual bowls. Layer the vegetable medley atop the rice, generously drizzle with the satay dressing, and garnish with roughly chopped roasted peanuts and optional complementary toppings.
- Deliver the dish immediately to ensure the rice maintains its signature crunch and warmth, creating a sensory experience that celebrates contrasting textures and bold flavors.
Notes
- Achieve the perfect crispy rice by using day-old rice with lower moisture content, which helps create a golden, crunchy texture without burning.
- Experiment with different rice varieties like jasmine or basmati for unique flavor profiles and varying levels of crispiness.
- Make the dish gluten-free by substituting soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious salad.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken, tofu, or shrimp to transform this side dish into a complete meal that satisfies hunger and nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg