Nuoc Cham Chicken Salad

Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Christine KeelyBeloved chicken salad gets a spicy-funky upgrade thanks to the Vietnamese dipping sauce nuoc cham. Lime juice, fish sauce, alliums, and a flash of heat from bird’s-eye chile are slightly mellowed with a big dollop of mayo. Fold in pulled chicken (a rotisserie bird is ideal, but if you’d rather poach chicken breasts, be our guest) and dinner’s done.This just-creamy-enough chicken salad is great as a large salad or in lettuce cups, topped with tender herbs and a handful of fried shallots, but that’s only the beginning. Try it on slices of sourdough, alongside cold soba noodles and crunchy veg, or over warm rice with half an avocado. Just make sure to save leftovers for tomorrow’s work lunch to scoop up with your favorite crackers.More great chicken salads this way: Summer Goddess Chicken Salad; Bob's Chicken and Cabbage Salad; and Fiery Red Curry Chicken Salad.Recipe informationIngredients¼cup fresh lime juice¼cup mayonnaise1Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. (or more) fish sauce1Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar1large shallot, finely chopped2garlic cloves, finely grated1small red Thai chile, very thinly sliced, or ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes3–4cups shredded skinless chicken meat (from about 1 small rotisserie chicken)Little Gem and/or butter lettuce leaves, mint and/or basil leaves, store-bought fried shallots, and lime wedges (for serving)Need to make a substitution?PreparationStep 1Whisk ¼ cup fresh lime juice, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. fish sauce, and 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar in a large bowl until sugar is dissolved. Mix in 1 large shallot, finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, and 1 small red Thai chile, very thinly sliced, or ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes. Let dressing sit at room temperature at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and aromatics to soften slightly or cover and chill up to 2 hours.Step 2Add 3–4 cups shredded skinless chicken meat (from about 1 small rotisserie chicken) to dressing and toss to coat. Taste and add more fish sauce if needed.Step 3Arrange Little Gem and/or butter lettuce leaves on a platter and spoon chicken salad over. Top with mint and/or basil leaves and store-bought fried shallots. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.Do Ahead: Chicken salad can be made 4 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill.Recipe notesBack to topTriangle