Chicken Coleslaw Salad with Peanut Dressing
This chicken coleslaw salad combines fresh veggies and tender chicken with a sweet and savory peanut dressing. Quick to make with no actual cooking, it’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, and meal prep!
Looking for more easy salad recipes? Try our easy Mediterranean bean salad and this grilled Greek chicken salad recipe, too!
This slaw chicken salad has been one of the most popular recipes on the site (and in our homes) for years. And for good reason! Crisp, refreshing, and easy to make, it’s a lifesaver on busy days and when the weather gets so hot you just can’t be bothered to turn on the stove.
Enjoy it on its own. Or, add it to salads, use it as a sandwich filling, or scoop it up with crackers. No matter how you serve it, we know it will be a new favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of how to make chicken salad with coleslaw. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
For the Salad
- Coleslaw – We use a bag of coleslaw mix, but you can chop heads of cabbage if preferred.
Tip: Use any leftovers to make our easy coleslaw recipe, egg roll in a bowl, or a red, white, and blue cabbage salad, too!
- Bell Pepper – Red bell pepper adds a bright color and extra crunch. Yellow or orange will also work. However, we don’t recommend green because it’s not quite as sweet.
- Cilantro – If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley will also work.
- Green Onion – Use both the white and green parts.
- Chicken – Use leftover cooked shredded chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or drained canned chicken.
- Peanuts – Substitute cashews if preferred.
For the Dressing
- Soy Sauce – Adds a salty, umami taste. If needed, you can substitute coconut aminos or tamari to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Peanut Butter – Feel free to substitute cashew butter. Or, for a lighter option, mix peanut butter powder with water to create a peanut butter mixture.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed is best!
- Sesame Oil – Add extra depth and a nutty taste.
- Maple Syrup – Honey will also work.
- Chili Garlic Sauce – Add as little or as much as you like, depending on your spice preferences.
How to Make a Chicken Slaw Salad
- Prepare the dressing. Add all the dressing ingredients to a mason jar or bowl. Whisk or shake until smooth.
2. Combine the salad. In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients, and toss to distribute them evenly.
3. Combine. Pour the dressing over the salad, and gently toss to combine and coat.
4. Topping. Sprinkle extra peanuts or cashews on top, and enjoy!
Common Questions
You can easily serve this recipe on its own. Or, serve it over a bed of greens, in a sandwich or wrap, or as a dip with crackers.
We don’t recommend storing the salad once combined. However, you can store the salad mixture (without nuts) and dressing in separate airtight containers. The salad will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the dressing will keep for up to one week.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
Chicken Coleslaw Salad with Peanut Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
Salad
- 16 oz tri-color bagged coleslaw
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped finely
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 2 large cooked chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- dry roasted peanuts or cashews, optional
Dressing
- 6 Tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 Tablespoons peanut butter or cashew butter or PB2 made into peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- In a 16 oz mason jar, add all the dressing ingredients. Whisk the ingredients together with a fork, whisk or handheld matcha frother (see notes).6 Tablespoons soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, 1 Tablespoon water, 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- In a large bowl, mix together all the salad ingredients – shredded cabbage (coleslaw mix), red pepper, cilantro, green onion.16 oz tri-color bagged coleslaw, 1 red bell pepper, julienned, 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped finely, 4 green onions, chopped
- Add 1/4 of the salad mixture, 1/4 of the diced chicken, and 4 Tablespoons of the dressing to a serving bowl and mix together. Top with peanuts or cashews, if using, and enjoy.2 large cooked chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces, dry roasted peanuts or cashews, optional
- Alternatively, if serving the entire recipe, add all the salad ingredients and diced chicken to a large bowl. Pour all the dressing over the salad and mix until the veggies are coated with the dressing. Top with peanuts or cashews, if desired.
- Store the salad mix, chicken, dressing and peanuts separately in the fridge for up to 4 days if meal prepping for the week.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Chicken Coleslaw Salad? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
Such a delicious salad! Love the spicy sauce.