Vietnamese Chicken Salad

This refreshing salad features crisp greens, aromatic herbs, shredded chicken, colorful carrots, crunchy macadamias, and a zippy lime dressing. 

Vietnamese cuisine is revered as some of the healthiest food in the world, and lucky for us, many Vietnamese dishes are gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with flavor. This particular recipe is GF, DF, Paleo-compliant, and Low-carb. 

This refreshing salad, known as Goi Ga, is a summertime favorite. It’s cooling, bright, and made with fairly basic, everyday ingredients. The best way to enjoy it is outdoors on a warm, sunny day, over lunch with a friend.

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Chef's Notes:

Peanuts are traditional here, but I’ve switched them out for macadamias to make this salad Paleo compliant. Feel free to use what works for your current dietary needs. 

Shrimp would make a delicious substitute for the chicken. 

Please note that cabbage is a goitrogenic vegetable. While most experts nowadays agree that highly-nutritious cruciferous vegetables like cabbage do more good than harm for thyroid patients (especially when cooked), you can easily substitute a non-goitrogenic green like romaine or even iceberg lettuce if you are avoiding all goitrogens. These substitutions also apply if you are sensitive to sulfur-containing foods.

This salad is best eaten fresh but keeps refrigerated for up to 24 hours. 

Thyroid-healthy Highlights: 

• Chicken is a very good source of selenium, which helps to regulate the production of thyroid hormone, convert T4 to T3, and protect the thyroid from stress.
• A 3-ounce serving of chicken provides 84% RDI of the essential amino acid Tyrosine, which the thyroid gland combines with iodine to produce thyroid hormone.
• Studies have shown that cilantro can help accelerate the body’s excretion of mercury and lead. Heavy metal toxicity from mercury has been linked to an increase in thyroid antibodies.
• 1 cup of carrots contains 3.6 grams of fiber, which can help relieve constipation sometimes caused by thyroid conditions. They are also low in calories and a good choice for weight loss.
• 1 cup of carrots provides 428% DV of Vitamin A.

Happy cooking, happy thriving, and enjoy the recipe (below)!

P.S. Need more thyroid-friendly recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered. My Thyroid-friendly Everyday eCookbook features over 50 quick and easy, thyroid-friendly recipes your whole family will love. To take a peek at what’s inside, CLICK HERE.

 

More Salad Recipes to Try:

• Quinoa Tabbouleh
• Broth-poached Chicken with Summer Tabbouleh
• Ginger Basil Chicken Salad
• Salmon, Sweet Potato and Watercress Salad with Turmeric Cream
• Thai Beef Salad
• Tropical Chicken Salad
• Avocado and Grapefruit Salad with Broiled Salmon