Vietnamese shredded chicken salad: roast, shred, toss raw

This is a salad built the way real Vietnamese cooking builds flavor: not from a jar of dressing, but from what is actually raw and fresh going into the bowl. Basil, cilantro, and mint go in by the handful, not the sprig. Daikon and carrot bring crunch. The chicken is simple, roasted plain and shredded, so the herbs and the dressing can do the talking.

This much raw herb and vegetable in one bowl is doing more than filling space. Cilantro, mint, and basil carry their own antioxidant compounds, and the daikon and carrot bring vitamin C and fiber that a lot of AIP meals quietly go without. Eating this much plant matter in one sitting is a genuine win, not a garnish.

Roast the chicken thighs ahead if it helps. They keep well in the fridge for a few days and the salad comes together in ten minutes once they are shredded.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 4 large chicken thighs, skin on and bone in

For the salad:

• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 medium carrots, julienned or grated
• 1 (4-inch) piece cucumber, julienned
• 1 (3 1/2-inch) piece daikon, julienned or grated
• 1/2 cup Thai basil (or regular basil), shredded
• 1 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped

For the dressing:

• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos

Method

• Roast the chicken thighs at 400 F for about 35 to 40 minutes, until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through. Let them rest until cool enough to handle, then remove the skin and shred the meat with two forks.
• While the chicken cooks, combine the red onion, carrots, cucumber, daikon, basil, cilantro, and mint in a large bowl.
• Whisk the fish sauce, garlic, apple cider vinegar, ginger, avocado oil, and coconut aminos together in a small bowl.
• Add the shredded chicken to the vegetables, pour the dressing over the top, and toss well. Serve right away while the vegetables are still crisp.

*Adapted from autoimmunewellness.com*