Dinner Tonight: Spicy and creamy cashew chicken salad
Cashew butter, rather than mayo, gives the dressing a creamy body.
Dinner Tonight
August 18, 2026

Spicy and Creamy Cashew Chicken Salad

Spicy and Creamy Cashew Chicken Salad
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

Recipe by Andy Baraghani | Total time: 20 minutes

Chicken salad can often veer a little heavy, weighed down by too much mayonnaise or a dressing that dulls everything it touches. This one takes a different approach: Cashew butter gives the dressing a creamy body, while soy sauce, fresh lemon juice and a little honey keep it bright, salty and lively. The result is something that coats the cabbage and chicken just enough without feeling too rich. Let the cabbage and chicken sit in the dressing for a few minutes so they can soften slightly while really picking up those flavors. Just before serving, fold in the cucumbers and herbs so they stay crisp and fresh; a handful of roasted cashews bring even more crunch. This chicken salad is punchy, deeply textured and the kind you’ll happily keep in the fridge for a few days, if it lasts that long.

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