Chicken and Mango Rice Salad

Hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend!

Back to work, and back to the routine....so I've been on a salad kick lately and made a few more so I could take them to work for lunch. It is just too dang hot here to go outside...ever!  

You are gonna love this salad!  Plus, it's quick and easy to make.

The wonderful people at Tasty Bite sent me some samples to try and review.  Please note, that all opinions are my own.  Tasty Bite invites you to "Explore all natural, exotic flavors from around the world. Enjoy Tasty Bite by itself as a quick and easy bite, as a side dish. Tasty bite is your solution to a delicious and flavorful meal, ready to eat in 90 seconds!"  They have wonderful prepared packaged Indian and pan-Asian dishes.  

I chose to use the Thai Lime Rice to make a wonderful Chicken and Mango Rice Salad.  I just love rice salads.  Since they are served cold or at room temperature you don't have to fuss with heating them up.  I love the flavors of Thai food, so I decided to keep that theme and jazz up the salad a bit with some fruit and a protein.  Leftover chicken is perfect for this dish, or you can poach some chicken breasts as a quick fix.  The addition of cilantro keeps with the Thai flavors as well, or you can use basil.  The rice itself is steamed in coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass, garlic and basil.  This was a wonderful tender, flavorful rice.  All combined together this made a wonderful rice salad!

The rice is easy to make, just heat the pouch in the microwave for 90 seconds and your good!  Love the ease of having ready made ingredients handy to make these quick dishes.  I was pleasantly surprised by the  ingredients.  See for yourself.

INGREDIENTS
Water, Rice, Coconut Milk, Sunflower Oil, Raw Sugar, Lemongrass, Salt, Lemon Juice, Natural Flavoring(Soy, Vegetables), Basil, Kaffir Lime, Onions, Garlic, Green Chilies, Galangal, Spices. Contains: Coconut. 

I've spotted Tasty Bite pouches recently at Sprout's and Cost Plus World Market, however, they are also in most main grocery stores such as Ralph's, Von's, Whole Foods, Super Target etc.  Be sure to check the site for stores in your area.

All in all, this made a quick meal.  Tasty and fresh, with a good flavor profile.  I look forward to using some of their other items including this rice again.  I'm thinking it would make and excellent side dish to some Thai Basil Chicken Kabobs!  Don't you think?

Chicken and Mango Rice Salad

serves 2

1 pouch 8.8oz Tasty Bite Thai Lime Rice
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 chicken breast, cooked 
2 T cilantro, chopped

Cook rice according to package directions.  Place in a medium bowl or container and allow to cool slightly.  Meanwhile peel and chop a fresh mango into bite sized pieces.  Add to bowl with rice.  Chop cooked chicken breast into bite sized pieces, or shred if you like.  Add to bowl.  Add chopped cilantro to bowl and stir to combine.  Rice may be refrigerated and served cold or at room temperature.