Thai-Inspired Crunchy Peanut Chicken Lettuce Cups
When hormonal changes leave you craving comfort food, these protein-packed lettuce wraps deliver satisfaction without the inflammation.
Some days, your body is practically screaming for comfort food, but your hormones are begging you to choose something that won't send your inflammation levels through the roof. Enter these Thai-inspired peanut chicken lettuce wraps—a recipe that feels indulgent while actually supporting your body through hormonal transitions.
The best part? You can have this satisfying, restaurant-quality meal on the table in 15 minutes using nothing more than a store-bought rotisserie chicken and ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
The Beauty of No-Cook Convenience
Let's be honest—when you're dealing with hormonal ups and downs, the last thing you want is to spend an hour in a hot kitchen. This recipe requires zero cooking beyond shredding your rotisserie chicken and whisking together a simple peanut sauce.
It's the kind of meal that works whether you're meal prepping for the week, need something quick after a long day, or are hosting friends who don't know they're eating "health food."
Endless Versatility, Endless Possibilities
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how adaptable it is. The base combination of protein-rich chicken, creamy peanut sauce, and fresh vegetables can be customized endlessly:
Swap the protein: Use leftover grilled chicken, turkey, or even chickpeas for a plant-based version
Change the crunch: Try shredded cabbage, julienned bell peppers, or cucumber ribbons
Adjust the heat: Add more sriracha for spice lovers or omit it for sensitive palates Make it a meal: Serve over brown rice or cauliflower rice when you want something more substantial (I used leftover bone broth rice and served it on rice for Sully-he loved it!)
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Thai-Inspired Crunchy Peanut Chicken Lettuce Cups
prep time: 20 min | cook time: 0 min | serves: 4-5
Ingredients:
For the Crunchy Peanut Sauce
1/3 cup crunchy natural peanut butter
3 tbsp coconut aminos (can sub soy sauce)
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sriracha
2 tsp grated fresh ginger root
1 tbsp sesame oil
up to 3 tbsp warm water, added 1 tbsp at a time
For the Lettuce Wraps
3 cups shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
6 green onions, thinly sliced
approx 16 butter lettuce leaves
roughly chopped cilantro
roughly chopped roasted, salted peanuts
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 lime, quartered, for serving
1 avocado, diced (optional)
Directions:
To make the peanut sauce, in a large mixing bowl combine the 1/3 cup peanut butter, 3 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce), 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sriracha, 2 tsp grated ginger root, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Add warm water, 1 tbsp at a time to thin, until sauce is runny, but not too watery.
Add the 3 cups chicken, 6 sliced green onions and 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots to peanut sauce bowl and mix to coat.
Divide the lettuce leaves to 4 plates (3-4 leaves per plate) and top each lettuce leaf with the chicken/peanut mixture. Top with cilantro, peanuts, avocado (if desired!) and sesame seeds.
📌 Enjoy and Pin this recipe!
Supporting Yourself Through Inflammation
If you're dealing with inflammation, remember that healing happens gradually through consistent, gentle choices rather than dramatic overhauls. Start by incorporating more anti-inflammatory meals like these lettuce wraps into your weekly rotation, but don't feel pressure to eliminate everything at once.
Focus on adding before subtracting—crowd out inflammatory foods by filling your plate with colorful vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats. Pay attention to how different foods make you feel, and trust your body's signals. Some women find that keeping a simple food and symptom journal helps identify their personal triggers.
Beyond food, supporting your body through inflammation means prioritizing sleep, managing stress through gentle movement or meditation, and staying hydrated. Remember that small, sustainable changes compound over time to create significant improvements in how you feel.
Most importantly, be patient and compassionate with yourself. Your body is working hard to find balance, and nourishing it with recipes like this one is a powerful step toward feeling like yourself again
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Remember, adding new foods to your diet doesn't have to be complicated. These Thai-Inspired Crunchy Peanut Chicken Lettuce Cups are proof that simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something extraordinary while nourishing your body.
Give it a try and let me know in the comments how you liked it!
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Understanding which foods help manage inflammation and metabolic health and which foods hinder your efforts to feel like yourself again in this transitional season is so key. You’ll receive a 5-Day high Protein, high fibre meal plan with simple, delicious meal ideas.