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Crunchy Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe (Goi Ga) – A light and healthy chicken and cabbage salad that is gluten-free and paleo-friendly!
Vietnamese Goi Ga
I grew up in a city that has a significant Vietnamese population. Therefore, long before I had an appreciation for more popular international cuisines, I loved Vietnamese cuisine.
From noodle soups to noodle salad bowls, and banh mi sandwiches, I haven’t met a Vietnamese dish I haven’t liked… And I crave it above all other national foods.
In college, I made a habit of visiting a particular Vietnamese restaurant once a week with a friend. On my limited student budget, their lunch specials were a bargain!
Each meal came with an appetizer portion of Vietnamese Cold Chicken Salad (Goi Ga), a crunchy chilled salad with a bold zesty flavor, and shredded chicken speckled throughout.
Goi Ga Recipe
Now that we live hundreds of miles away from my favorite Vietnamese lunch spot, I have to make these dishes at home.
Although some Vietnamese recipes are complicated, Vietnamese Cold Chicken Salad (Goi Ga) is extremely quick and simple.
It’s crisp, fragrant, and loaded with veggies, with a tangy-sweet punch from the nuoc cham dressing. Plus, it easily fits into most diet plans!
Make a big bowl of Vietnamese Cold Chicken Salad (Goi Ga) on Monday and take it for lunch throughout the week. Or serve it as a light dinner any night of the week.
Vietnamese Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Shredded Napa Cabbage:
- Cold Cooked Shredded Chicken: you can use leftovers or a rotisserie chicken
- Roughly Chopped Fresh Mint:
- Shredded Carrots:
- Thinly Sliced Red Onion:
- Roughly Chopped Fresh Cilantro:
- Chopped Roasted Peanuts: you can use cashews to make this paleo-friendly
- Fresh Lime Juice:
- Water:
- Honey:
- Fish Sauce:
- Chili Garlic Sauce:
How To Make Vietnamese Chicken Salad
- Prep your ingredients:
- by chopping, slicing, and shredding the ingredients needed for the salad.
- Mix all the salad ingredients:
- together in a large bowl.
- Whisk together:
- the lime juice, water, honey, fish sauce, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl to make the dressing for the salad.
- When you are ready to serve the salad:
- pour the dressing over the top and toss it well.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is goi ga? Goi ga is a Vietnamese salad recipe that is crunchy and usually has chicken in it! What makes this goi ga recipe so good is the flavorful and zesty homemade dressing!
How long does this salad last? The salad mix without the dressing tossed in can last around 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator. If the dressing is tossed in and you have leftovers, then I would recommend eating the leftovers within 24 to 36 hours.
Can I add in any kind of meat? Yes, you can substitute the chicken in this recipe for other meats of choice. Turkey or pork loin would both be a good option for this.
What other dressings would taste great with this salad? Changing the dressing will make this Vietnamese classic something entirely new. However, feel free to try it with ranch, avocado ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, greek dressing, or lemon aioli sauce.
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Recipe Questions
- → What is Goi Ga?
Goi Ga is a traditional Vietnamese salad made with shredded chicken, cabbage, herbs, and a flavorful nuoc cham dressing.
- → How long does the salad keep in the fridge?
Without the dressing, the salad can last 4–5 days refrigerated. Once dressed, it’s best enjoyed within 24–36 hours.
- → Can I substitute the chicken?
Yes, turkey or cooked pork loin are great alternatives for the shredded chicken.
- → What is nuoc cham made of?
Nuoc cham is a Vietnamese dressing typically made from lime juice, water, honey, fish sauce, and chili garlic sauce.
- → What other dressings can I try?
While non-traditional, ranch, lemon aioli, or balsamic vinaigrette can offer a unique twist to the salad.