Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Print View)

Crunchy cucumbers smashed and tossed with flavorful dressing, topped with shredded rotisserie chicken.

# Components:

→ 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 needed)
06 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
08 - ½ teaspoon MSG (optional)
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)

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, perfect for when you want something substantial but your kitchen stays cool.
  • That MSG-forward dressing hits a savory note that makes rotisserie chicken taste even more crave-worthy than usual.
  • The contrast of smashed cucumbers and warm chicken creates this unexpected texture play that feels more interesting than a typical salad.
02 -
  • Don't skip the smashing step—it's not just for looks; those craggy surfaces catch and hold the dressing in a way that clean slices never will.
  • Taste your dressing before it goes on the vegetables; once the salad sits, it's harder to adjust seasoning without it being uneven.
  • If you're making this more than 20 minutes ahead, keep the chicken and vegetables separate and assemble just before eating, or the cucumbers will continue to soften and the chicken will cool.
03 -
  • Buy the rotisserie chicken fresh and warm on the day you're making this; it makes a noticeable difference in texture and flavor compared to day-old chicken.
  • Keep your ingredients simple and rely on the dressing to do the heavy lifting—this salad doesn't need a lot of additions to taste complete and satisfying.
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