Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Printable)

Crunchy cucumbers combined with garlic, chili, sesame oil, and shredded rotisserie chicken for a fresh meal.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 whole Persian cucumbers or mini cucumbers (or 1 large English cucumber), 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 (adjust to taste)

→ Garnish

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

# Method:

01 - Place whole cucumbers on a cutting board and gently smash them with a rolling pin or flat side of a chef's knife until split but mostly intact. Cut cucumbers into 2-inch diagonal sections.
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 the cucumber mixture, toss to coat evenly, and let sit for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
05 - Transfer dressed cucumbers to a serving platter, top with shredded rotisserie chicken, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and optionally cilantro leaves, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can make it after work without standing over a stove.
  • The smashed cucumbers absorb dressing like nothing else, delivering flavor in every bite instead of watery lettuce.
  • One rotisserie chicken transforms it from salad to a complete meal that feels indulgent but totally healthy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the smashing step thinking a knife will do the same thing—the smashing fractures the cucumber differently and creates surface area that dressing actually sticks to, while knife cuts just slide off.
  • If you're making this more than 15 minutes ahead, dress only what you're about to serve; the cucumbers will leach water and dilute everything left in the bowl.
03 -
  • Buy your rotisserie chicken the morning of if you can, or store it properly so the skin doesn't dry out; the quality of the chicken matters more than people think.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes right before serving—they go from interesting to absolutely essential when they're warm and fragrant.
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