Last Updated on September 29, 2023
Are you a fan of The Cheesecake Factory? If so, we’ve got the perfect dish for you! With this easy-to-follow Thai Chicken Salad guide from The Cheesecake Factory, you can recreate that restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.
This salad is packed with flavorful ingredients and a delicious dressing, making it the perfect dish for any occasion. So grab your ingredients and let’s get started!
What is Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad?
The Cheesecake Factory is one of the most popular restaurants in America. The restaurant has been a staple for over four decades and offers up delicious dishes from fresh salads to tasty pizzas.
One of their most popular dishes is the Thai Chicken Salad, which features succulent chicken breast cubes marinated in a flavorful sauce. Topped with crunchy snow peas, mango chunks, cashews, and shredded sweetened coconut, this salad is sure to delight your taste buds.
A light dressing of lime juice, soy sauce, ginger root, and honey perfectly ties together all the flavors. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or an impressive dinner party dish, Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad is sure to please.
What does it taste like?
Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad is a flavor explosion. The chicken cubes are tender and juicy, while the crunchy snow peas, mango chunks, cashews, and shredded sweetened coconut add texture to the dish.
Meanwhile, the light dressing of lime juice, soy sauce, ginger root, and honey delivers an amazing combination of tartness with just a hint of sweetness. The flavors in this salad are balanced, making it a great option for those looking for something light and flavorful.
The savory chicken pairs perfectly with the sweet mango and crunchy nuts, while the red curry paste adds an extra kick of flavor and heat. All these ingredients come together to create a delicious meal that will leave you feeling satisfied!
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How did I first get introduced to the Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad?
I was first introduced to Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad when I visited the restaurant with a friend for lunch. I had heard great things about The Cheesecake Factory so I was excited to try some of their dishes, and this salad certainly did not disappoint!
As soon as I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to try it. The description sounded delicious and I was curious to find out what all the fuss was about. To my surprise, the salad exceeded my expectations!
The chicken cubes were perfectly cooked and juicy, while the crunchy snow peas, mango chunks, cashews, and shredded sweetened coconut added texture to the dish. Meanwhile, the light dressing of lime juice, soy sauce, ginger root, and honey was tart yet sweet with a hint of heat. I could tell why this dish had become a classic favorite!
I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and happy that I had discovered such a delicious dish. Since then, Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad has been one of my go-to meals when I’m looking for something light and flavorful.
How to make Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad?
Making Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad is easy and only requires a few simple steps. All you need to do is prepare the necessary ingredients & follow this step-by-step guide for a delicious restaurant-quality meal:
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: This is the main protein source in this recipe.
- Coconut Milk: This gives the recipe a creamy, coconut flavor and helps to make a delicious sauce.
- Canola Oil: This oil helps to sauté the ingredients and adds some healthy fat to the dish.
- Sesame Oil: This oil adds an amazing flavor and aroma, but should be used sparingly.
- Snow Peas: This vegetable adds some crunch and freshness to the dish.
- Mango: The sweetness of the mango perfectly complements the savory flavors in this recipe.
- Cashew Nuts: These nuts provide a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
- Sweetened Coconut (Shredded): Adds an amazing texture and sweetness to the dish.
- Lime Juice: Gives this salad an amazing zingy flavor.
- Soy Sauce (Reduced-Sodium): Adds a savory, salty flavor that helps balance out the other flavors in the recipe.
- Lime Peel (Grated): Adds a refreshing citrus aroma to the dish.
- Fresh Ginger Root (Minced): The ginger adds a subtle spice to the dish.
- Rice Vinegar: This vinegar helps deepen the flavor of the dressing and add a slight acidity.
- Honey: Adds some sweetness that perfectly balances out all of the flavors in this recipe.
- Red Curry Paste: This gives this salad an amazing depth of flavor and a hint of heat.
- Fresh Cilantro (Minced): Adds a herby, fresh flavor to the salad.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: These mushrooms add an earthy flavor and help make the dish more filling.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients. Start by washing and drying the chicken breasts, then cut into cubes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Sauté the chicken until it is cooked through. Heat up a large pan over medium heat, add oil, and then add chicken cubes. Cook for about 8 minutes or until fully cooked through. Set aside.
Step 3
Make the dressing. In a medium bowl, combine coconut milk, sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger root, rice vinegar, and honey. Whisk together until combined.
Step 4
Assemble the salad. In a large bowl combine cooked chicken cubes, snow peas, mango chunks, cashew nuts, sweetened coconut (shredded), lime peel (grated), red curry paste, and fresh cilantro. Top with the dressing and mix until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Step 5
Serve this delicious salad chilled or at room temperature.
Tips
- To add more flavor to the dressing, try adding some minced garlic or shallots.
- If you want to make the salad even heartier, you can add some cooked quinoa or wild rice.
- Make sure to use reduced-sodium soy sauce to avoid the salad from becoming too salty.
- For an extra kick of flavor, try adding some sliced red onions or jalapeno peppers.
- If you don’t have coconut milk on hand, you can also use Greek yogurt as a substitute.
- To make this dish even more flavorful, try adding some chopped cilantro and lemon juice before serving.
- Make sure to serve the salad chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad?
Here are some delicious side dishes that will go great with this salad:
- Roasted sweet potatoes: These sweet potatoes are oven-roasted to perfection and can be served as a tasty side dish.
- Rice Pilaf: This classic rice dish is flavorful and pairs perfectly with the flavors of the Thai Chicken Salad.
- Cucumber salad: This crunchy and refreshing salad is a great accompaniment to this dish.
- Sauteed vegetables: A mix of your favorite veggies (think bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, etc.) stir-fried in some olive oil makes for the perfect side.
- Grilled portobello mushrooms: These savory mushrooms are packed with flavor and make for a great side dish.
- Grilled corn: Sweet grilled corn is the perfect addition to any meal. It adds an amazing sweetness that will perfectly complement this salad.
How to store leftover Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad?
This delicious salad can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To maximize the shelf-life, make sure that the salad is completely cooled down before placing it in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the dish in a microwave or oven until heated through. For longer storage, you can also freeze the salad. Place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat before serving. This is a great way to enjoy this delicious dish at a later date!
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can eat Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad. This dish is a great option for pregnant women because it contains a variety of nutritious ingredients that provide essential vitamins and minerals.
The chicken in this recipe is cooked through, which eliminates any potential risks associated with eating raw poultry. Additionally, the dressing includes ingredients such as coconut milk, lime juice, and honey which provide healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The vegetables included in this salad are all packed with fiber and essential nutrients that can help pregnant women get the nutrition they need during their pregnancy.
Equipment
- Large pan
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts – 1 lb.
- Coconut Milk light- 1 cup
- Canola Oil- 3 tsp
- Sesame Oil- 2 tsp
- Snow Peas- ¼ cup
- Mango cut into chunks- 1 pcs
- Cashew Nuts- ⅛ cup
- Sweetened Coconut shredded- ¼ cup
- Lime Juice- ¼ cup
- Soy Sauce reduced-sodium- 2 tsp
- Lime Peel grated- 1 tsp
- Fresh Ginger Root minced- 1 tsp
- Rice Vinegar- 1 tsp
- Honey- 1 tsp
- Red Curry Paste- ½ tsp
- Fresh Cilantro minced- 1 tsp
- Shiitake Mushrooms- 1 cup
Instructions
- Prepare the necessary ingredients for this dish by washing and drying the chicken breasts. Cut them into cubes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken cubes in a large pan over medium heat with some oil until fully cooked, around 8 minutes. Once cooked, set aside to cool down.
- To make the dressing, combine 1 cup of light coconut milk, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, ¼ cup of lime juice, 2 teaspoons of reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger root, 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey in a medium bowl. Whisk together until all ingredients are well combined.
- Assemble the salad in a large bowl by adding the cooked chicken cubes, ¼ cup of snow peas, 1 mango cut into chunks, ⅛ cup of cashew nuts, ¼ cup of shredded sweetened coconut, 1 teaspoon of grated lime peel, ½ teaspoon of red curry paste and 1 teaspoon of minced fresh cilantro. Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve this delicious Thai Chicken Salad chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- To add more flavor to the dressing, try adding some minced garlic or shallots.
- If you want to make the salad even heartier, you can add some cooked quinoa or wild rice.
- Make sure to use reduced-sodium soy sauce to avoid the salad from becoming too salty.
- For an extra kick of flavor, try adding some sliced red onions or jalapeno peppers.
- If you don’t have coconut milk on hand, you can also use Greek yogurt as a substitute.
- To make this dish even more flavorful, try adding some chopped cilantro and lemon juice before serving.
- Make sure to serve the salad chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
FAQs
Can I substitute the chicken in this?
Yes, you can use any protein of your choice. If you don’t have chicken on hand, try using tofu or tempeh for a vegan option. Alternatively, shrimp or salmon are great options for those who eat fish.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free. The dressing and other ingredients do not contain any gluten.
Can I add other ingredients to this salad?
Yes, you can add any of your favorite ingredients. Some great additions include avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and even nuts or seeds for some extra crunch.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we’ve discussed how to make Cheesecake Factory’s Thai Chicken Salad. This simple and delicious salad is perfect for lunch or dinner and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Thank you for reading! We hope you give this a try and enjoy it as much as we do. Please share this article with your friends and family if you found it useful.
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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more
