Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Printable Version)

Crunchy smashed cucumbers mixed with aromatic spices and shredded chicken for a vibrant, easy-to-make dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 whole Persian or mini cucumbers (or 1 large English cucumber), washed
02 - 2 scallions, finely sliced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Protein

04 - 1 cup rotisserie chicken, skin removed and shredded

→ Dressing

05 - 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
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 Make:

01 - Place the 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 whole. Cut into 2-inch angled sections for visual appeal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix smashed cucumbers, sliced scallions, and minced garlic.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, MSG, sugar, and chili flakes.
04 - Pour dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Allow to rest for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Transfer dressed cucumbers to a serving platter and top evenly with shredded rotisserie chicken.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and optional fresh cilantro leaves over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking required, perfect for nights when you want something fresh without the effort.
  • The smashed cucumber texture is genuinely different from chopped—it holds dressing better and feels more forgiving to eat.
  • That MSG-spiked dressing is a flavor revelation if you've never experienced it intentionally; it transforms something simple into something memorable.
02 -
  • The five-minute rest isn't optional—it's when the magic happens. The cucumber releases water that mixes with the dressing, and everything tastes infinitely better than it does immediately after tossing.
  • Don't mince the garlic into dust; you want visible small pieces that punctuate the dish. If you use a garlic press, you'll miss the texture entirely.
03 -
  • If your sesame oil tastes rancid or off, replace it immediately—bad sesame oil ruins everything. Buy small bottles and store them away from heat and light.
  • The dressing will taste shockingly strong when you taste the raw mixture, but trust it. When it hits the cool, watery cucumber, it balances perfectly.
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