1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
7 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 tablespoons fish sauce
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
3/4 cup cilantro leaves, shredded (stems reserved separately), about 1/2 bunch cilantro

3 tablespoons sugar
2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon grated wasabi, optional

1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
4 cups very thinly sliced cabbage
3 cups julienned carrots
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, shredded
1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, shredded
2 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/4 cup finely chopped roasted salted peanuts
Crispy Shallots, recipe follows
Place the chicken breasts in a medium saucepan and add enough water just to
cover. Add 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of
the rice vinegar, and the reserved cilantro stems and bring just to a boil. Reduce the
heat to a simmer and cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat
and allow the chicken to sit in the poaching liquid for 45 minutes. Remove the chicken
from the liquid and allow it to cool completely. Transfer the chicken to an airtight
container and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
 

In a non-reactive bowl combine the remaining lime juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, the
sugar, chiles, garlic, red pepper, and wasabi, if using, and stir until the sugar is
dissolved.
 
In a large bowl combine the cilantro leaves, onion, cabbage, carrots, mint leaves, and
Thai basil leaves and toss to combine. Add 1/3 of the lime-chile mixture and toss. Let
stand for 10 minutes, refrigerated, before serving.
 
Divide the salad evenly among 4 plates. Thinly slice the chicken breasts against the grain
and divide evenly among the top of the salads. Garnish with the scallions, peanuts and
crispy shallots and serve immediately, with the remaining lime-chile sauce on the side for
dressing salads, to taste.
Crispy Shallots:
Peanut oil, for frying
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
Salt

 
Preheat the peanut oil to 360 degrees F. Add the sliced shallots, in batches, and fry
until golden brown and crispy, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the shallots using a slotted
spoon or skimmer and transfer to paper towels to drain. Season with salt to taste.
 
Yield: 1/3 to 1/2 cup