Whole Cucumber Logan Salad (Printable)

Smashed whole cucumbers with garlic, chili, sesame oil, and shredded rotisserie chicken for a fresh, protein-rich 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 (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:

01 - Place the 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 remain mostly whole. Cut into 2-inch angled sections.
02 - In a large bowl, mix the smashed cucumbers, finely sliced scallions, and minced garlic evenly.
03 - Whisk together light soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, MSG, sugar, and chili flakes in a small bowl until well blended.
04 - Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
05 - Transfer dressed cucumbers to a serving platter and top generously with shredded rotisserie chicken.
06 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can satisfy a serious craving without any actual cooking involved.
  • The smashing technique releases something magical in the cucumbers that feels almost therapeutic to do.
  • Rotisserie chicken transforms it from a side salad into something hearty enough to be a full meal.
  • The MSG and sesame oil create an addictive savory flavor that keeps you coming back for more bites.
02 -
  • The smashing technique is crucial—too gentle and you don't get enough surface area for the dressing to cling to, but too aggressive and you end up with mushy pieces rather than craggy ones.
  • Don't dress this salad more than 10 minutes in advance, because while 5 minutes of rest is perfect, longer than that and the cucumbers begin to weep and lose their signature crunch.
  • The chicken should still be warm or at room temperature when you add it, because cold chicken against the slightly warm dressing creates a pleasant temperature contrast that makes the whole dish more interesting.
03 -
  • If you love MSG but feel self-conscious about using it, remember that it's the same compound naturally found in aged parmesan, mushrooms, and tomatoes—it's just a flavor amplifier that makes everything taste more like itself.
  • Smash the cucumbers just before you cook because the cut surfaces will oxidize slightly over time, and you want that fresh, pale green color and clean flavor.
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