Small but mighty, our Probiotic Thai Chicken Salad Cups are a filling mini meal that can double as a light lunch or dinner. Made with Lifeway Kefir, these chicken salad cups are packed with complete protein to help satisfy hunger and keep you fueled up, plus they’re filled with live probiotic cultures from our kefir to support gut health. With protein, probiotics, plus fiber and micronutrients from the veggies, this recipe brings nutritional benefits that help your body thrive—in the most delicious way!
These cups can be prepared ahead of time, and they make an ideal option for meal prep, including lunchbox ideas for kids, teens, and adults. They’re fun to eat, easy to prepare, and have a classic Thai seasoning we use in the dressing made with our kefir. This recipe is a terrific option to try when you want to break out of your regular healthy eating routine while still making smart choices.
With Lifeway Kefir in the kitchen, any meal can become something extraordinary without requiring a ton of time or hassle. Check out all our recipes here, find where to buy our kefir near you, and eat your way to better gut health with Lifeway Kefir one meal at a time.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 15 mins Servings: 8-10Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 cup Lowfat Plain Kefir
- 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter, melted slightly
- 1-2 tbsp. sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce*
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Salad:
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1/4 cup onions, finely diced
- 3/4 cup peanuts, crushed
- 1 medium head of butter lettuce
- 2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded
Toppings:
- crispy wonton strips
- fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- extra dressing for drizzling on top
Directions
- Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk to combine.
- Add all the salad ingredients to a bowl, except the lettuce. Set aside 1/3 of the dressing mixture and pour the rest over the salad.
- Remove individual lettuce leaves from the head, then wash and pat dry. This recipe should make 8-10, depending on the size of your lettuce. If you need or want to, increase the amount of chicken salad per cup.
- Spoon the chicken salad mixture from step 2 into the individual salad cups into 8-10 even portions.
- Top with crispy wonton strips, freshly chopped cilantro, and the rest of the dressing you reserved in step 2. Serve, and enjoy!
- *For a soy-free option, try coconut aminos, a similar sauce with an identical flavor and taste. You can find it in the condiments section at the store.
- These should keep in the fridge for a week, but don't add the dressing or wonton strips on top until you're ready to serve.
- If preparing for lunch boxes or meal prep, keep a little container of the dressing on the side. These can easily be wrapped up in sandwich paper or put into mini meal prep containers.
- For a richer dressing, give our whole milk kefir a try!
