A delicious and healthier version of the Thai Crunch Salad from California Pizza Kitchen.
Copy Cat CPK Thai Crunch Salad
This recipe combines a variety of fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, and a homemade lime cilantro Thai peanut dressing, all topped with crispy baked wontons. This lighter salad rendition replicates the Thai Crunch Salad made famous by California Pizza Kitchen restaurants. It piles mixed crunchy vegetables, grilled chicken and wonton strips atop mixed greens. The Thai peanut dressing gets its trademark flavor from lime, cilantro and red curry paste. Make it at home for a restaurant-quality meal with a healthier spin. This recipe is a homemade version of the popular Thai Crunch Salad from California Pizza Kitchen. The author, Judith Scharman, simplified the original recipe and made it healthier without compromising on the taste. It’s a great salad to prepare in advance and enjoy throughout the week.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head Napa cabbage, cut into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 small head red cabbage, cored and chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and ribboned
- 2 bunches scallions (green onions), thinly sliced (use the white and pale green parts only)
- 1 large English (hothouse) cucumber, peeled, cored and julienned
- 2 cups cooked, shelled edamame
- 2 cups roasted peanuts
- 4 grilled or baked garlic chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 small bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped (optional)
- 2 ripe Hass avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (optional)
Lime Cilantro Thai Peanut Dressing
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1 small bunch cilantro leaves
- 4 tbsp raw honey or pure maple sugar
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp Asian sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
- 1 1/2 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or more for some extra kick)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil
Garlic Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Crispy Baked Wontons
- 1 package wonton wrappers or 2 ounces (1 bundle) rice sticks (fine)
- oil mister filled with high-heat oil like Canola or refined safflower oil
Directions
- Follow the given steps to prepare the chicken, dressing, and wontons.
- Combine all the salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to mix.
- Add the chicken cubes to the mixing bowl and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Just prior to serving, add the peanuts and diced avocado.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and top with broken wonton pieces.
- Serve immediately.
- This salad is a great meal prep option as the vegetables stay crisp for several days. Just remember to add the peanuts, avocados, dressing, and wontons just before serving.