Spicy Lime Salad
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this zesty Spicy Lime Salad! Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh lime juice, crisp cucumbers, and a kick of chili, this dish is the perfect balance of heat and refreshment. Ideal for a light lunch or as a lively side at your next gathering, this salad will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chili flakes
- 1 cup (237 ml) cilantro
- 1 lb (454 g) ground meatd chicken
- 1 cup (118 ml) shallots
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- fish sauce (to taste)
- 2 cups (473 ml) lime juice
- sugar (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes.
- 2
Add minced chicken and mix well.
- 3
Stir in chopped cilantro and sliced shallots.
- 4
Serve chilled.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Chill your lime juice to 35-40°F before mixing because cold acid denatures proteins more slowly, giving you better control over the chicken's texture in this ceviche-style preparation.technique35-40°F
- ✓Let the chicken 'cook' in the lime juice for exactly 15-20 minutes - the citric acid will denature proteins and turn the meat opaque, but longer exposure creates a rubbery texture.timing15-20 minutes
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of lime juice to fish sauce as your base - this creates the optimal balance where umami enhances citrus without overpowering the acid's protein-denaturing action.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Dice your chicken to uniform 1/4-inch pieces because smaller pieces allow acid penetration within 2-3mm from all surfaces, ensuring even 'cooking' throughout.technique1/4-inch pieces
- ✓Add cilantro and shallots only in the final 2-3 minutes to prevent the acid from breaking down chlorophyll and sulfur compounds that give these aromatics their bright flavor.timing2-3 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Spicy Lime Salad
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this zesty Spicy Lime Salad! Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh lime juice, crisp cucumbers, and a kick of chili, this dish is the perfect balance of heat and refreshment. Ideal for a light lunch or as a lively side at your next gathering, this salad will have everyone coming back for seconds!
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chili flakes
- 1 cup (237 ml) cilantro
- 1 lb (454 g) ground meatd chicken
- 1 cup (118 ml) shallots
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- fish sauce (to taste)
- 2 cups (473 ml) lime juice
- sugar (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes.
- 2
Add minced chicken and mix well.
- 3
Stir in chopped cilantro and sliced shallots.
- 4
Serve chilled.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Chill your lime juice to 35-40°F before mixing because cold acid denatures proteins more slowly, giving you better control over the chicken's texture in this ceviche-style preparation.technique35-40°F
- ✓Let the chicken 'cook' in the lime juice for exactly 15-20 minutes - the citric acid will denature proteins and turn the meat opaque, but longer exposure creates a rubbery texture.timing15-20 minutes
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of lime juice to fish sauce as your base - this creates the optimal balance where umami enhances citrus without overpowering the acid's protein-denaturing action.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Dice your chicken to uniform 1/4-inch pieces because smaller pieces allow acid penetration within 2-3mm from all surfaces, ensuring even 'cooking' throughout.technique1/4-inch pieces
- ✓Add cilantro and shallots only in the final 2-3 minutes to prevent the acid from breaking down chlorophyll and sulfur compounds that give these aromatics their bright flavor.timing2-3 minutes