Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Gỏi Gà) – A Light and Zesty Summer Favourite
When the Australian summer heat kicks in, there’s nothing more refreshing than a crisp, vibrant salad—and few are as satisfying as Vietnamese Chicken Salad, also known as Gỏi Gà. This light yet flavour-packed dish combines tender poached chicken with crunchy vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a zingy dressing that’s equal parts sweet, sour, salty and spicy.
At Otao Kitchen, we love this dish not only for its taste but also for the way it captures the essence of Vietnamese cooking—simple ingredients, fresh produce, and bold, balanced flavours. It’s easy to prepare, full of goodness, and guaranteed to impress your guests or elevate your weekday lunch.
Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Gỏi Gà)
Total Time: 30 minutes Serves: 2–3 as a main or 4–5 as a light side dish
Ingredients
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200g chicken fillets (breast or thigh)
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2 cups finely shredded Chinese or regular cabbage
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1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
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1 cup mixed fresh herbs: Vietnamese mint, Thai basil, and coriander
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2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped (for garnish)
For the Vietnamese Dressing:
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½ tbsp fish sauce
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½ tbsp rice vinegar
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Juice of ¼ lime
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1 tbsp sugar
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2 tbsp hot water
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1 garlic clove, finely chopped
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1 small red chilli, finely chopped (deseeded for less heat)
Method
1. Make the Dressing
In a small jug or bowl, whisk together fish sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, sugar, hot water, garlic, and chilli until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
2. Poach the Chicken
Place chicken fillets in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes or until just cooked through. Remove from water and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized strips.
3. Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, herbs, and chicken. Drizzle with dressing and toss well to coat everything evenly.
4. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the top just before serving. Serve immediately as a light main course or a shared side dish.
Why We Love It
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✅ Light and healthy, packed with herbs and lean protein
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✅ Bursting with the essential Vietnamese flavour profile: sweet, salty, sour, spicy
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✅ Takes only 30 minutes from prep to plate
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✅ Perfect for warm weather meals, picnics, or a summer dinner party
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✅ Easy to customise—add shredded green mango, sliced cucumber, or vermicelli noodles for variety
Learn More with Otao Kitchen
Craving more Vietnamese flavours? Join one of our Vietnamese Cooking Classes where you’ll learn to make authentic dishes like fresh rice paper rolls, pho, lemongrass chicken, and of course—Gỏi Gà.
📍 Visit us on Victoria Street, Abbotsfod – Melbourne’s own little Saigon.
📩 Book your next hands-on cooking experience at otaokitchen.com.au
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