Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Printable)

Crisp smashed cucumbers with garlic, chili, and sesame oil topped with shredded rotisserie chicken.

# 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 needed)
06 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
08 - 0.5 teaspoon MSG (optional)
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar
10 - 0.5 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 and gently smash with a rolling pin or the flat side of a chef's knife until they split but stay mostly intact. Cut into 2-inch diagonal sections.
02 - In a large bowl, mix smashed cucumbers, sliced scallions, and minced garlic.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, MSG, sugar, and chili flakes in a small bowl.
04 - Pour dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Let rest for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Transfer dressed cucumbers to a serving platter. Top with shredded rotisserie chicken, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and optional cilantro. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time than ordering takeout and feels infinitely more satisfying to make.
  • Smashing the cucumbers is oddly therapeutic, especially after a long day.
  • The MSG and sesame oil create a deeply savory base that makes plain cucumbers taste luxurious.
  • Rotisserie chicken turns this from a side dish into a full meal without any actual cooking.
02 -
  • Don't smash the cucumbers too hard or they'll turn to mush and release too much water, which will dilute the dressing.
  • Let the salad rest for exactly 5 minutes—any longer and the cucumbers get soggy, any less and the flavors won't fully develop.
  • Always remove the rotisserie chicken skin before shredding, otherwise it turns slimy in the dressing.
03 -
  • Chill your serving platter in the fridge beforehand so the salad stays cold longer at the table.
  • Use the chicken juices from the rotisserie container to thin out the dressing if it's too thick—it adds even more savory depth.
  • If you can't find Persian cucumbers, English cucumbers work well, just remove the seeds with a spoon after smashing.
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