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