Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Printable)

Crunchy whole cucumbers with garlic, chili, sesame oil, and shredded chicken create a vibrant, protein-packed dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 whole Persian or mini cucumbers, washed
02 - 2 scallions, finely sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Protein

04 - 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed

→ Dressing

05 - 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)
06 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
08 - ½ teaspoon MSG (optional, adjust to taste)
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar
10 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes or chili crisp (to taste)

→ Garnish

11 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
12 - Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place whole cucumbers on a cutting board. Using a rolling pin or the flat side of a chef’s knife, gently smash until they split but remain mostly intact. Slice into 2-inch angled sections.
02 - In a large bowl, mix smashed cucumbers, sliced scallions, and minced garlic thoroughly.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, MSG, sugar, and chili flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss to coat evenly. Allow to rest for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Transfer dressed cucumbers to a serving platter. Top generously with shredded rotisserie chicken. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and cilantro leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time to make than waiting for takeout to arrive, and tastes just as good.
  • Smashing the cucumbers is weirdly therapeutic and makes them absorb the dressing like magic.
  • The rotisserie chicken turns it into a real meal without any extra cooking.
  • You can adjust the heat and saltiness on the fly, so it always tastes exactly how you want it.
02 -
  • Don't skip smashing the cucumbers, slicing them normally makes them taste like a completely different salad because they won't absorb the dressing the same way.
  • Letting the salad sit for more than 10 minutes makes it watery, so dress it right before you're ready to eat.
  • If your rotisserie chicken is cold from the fridge, it's fine, the contrast with the chilled cucumbers actually works really well.
03 -
  • Use the flattest part of your knife to smash the cucumbers so you have more control and don't accidentally pulverize them into mush.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it on and adjust the salt, sugar, or vinegar to your preference, because every soy sauce brand is a little different.
  • If you want the salad to look restaurant-quality, arrange the chicken in a neat pile on top instead of mixing it in, then garnish with cilantro sprigs and a sprinkle of sesame seeds in the center.
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