Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Discover how to make delicious and healthy chicken lettuce wraps at home. This quick recipe is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 8 ounce can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1 head butter lettuce or bibb lettuce leaves separated
- Optional toppings: chopped peanuts sesame seeds, sriracha, cilantro
Instructions
Get Started:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
- Wash and separate lettuce leaves. Set aside. Chop water chestnuts, mushrooms, green onions, ginger and garlic.
Cook the Chicken Filling:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add marinated ground chicken to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add sliced mushrooms and chopped water chestnuts to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until mushrooms are softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in sliced green onions.
Assemble and Serve:
- Arrange lettuce cups on a serving platter.
- Spoon a generous amount of chicken filling into each lettuce cup.
- Garnish with optional toppings such as chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, sriracha, and fresh cilantro, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Make it a Meal Prep Star: The chicken filling is fantastic for meal prep! Cook a big batch on the weekend and enjoy lettuce wraps for lunch or a light dinner throughout the week. Just store the filling and lettuce separately to keep everything fresh.
- Spice Level Control: Love heat? Don't be shy with the sriracha or chili garlic sauce! Add it directly to the filling while cooking, or serve it on the side for those who like to customize their spice. For a milder flavor, you can skip the spice altogether or just use a tiny drizzle on top.
- Lettuce Options: Butter lettuce and Bibb lettuce are great for their soft texture and cup-like shape. But if you prefer a crunchier wrap, romaine lettuce hearts work well too. For a really sturdy option, try using large cabbage leaves – just blanch them briefly to make them pliable.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to load up on veggies! Shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, snow peas, or bamboo shoots would all be delicious additions to the chicken filling. Add them along with the mushrooms and water chestnuts for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: Allergic to peanuts? No problem! Toasted sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or even chopped crispy fried onions make great alternatives for that satisfying crunch.
- Make it Vegetarian/Vegan: Easily adapt this recipe for vegetarians or vegans. Firm tofu, tempeh, or even lentils can be used in place of the ground chicken. For a vegan version, ensure your hoisin sauce is vegan-friendly and skip any non-vegan toppings.
- Serving Suggestions Beyond Wraps: The savory chicken filling is versatile! Serve it over rice or quinoa for a heartier meal, or use it to fill wonton wrappers or egg roll wrappers for appetizers.
- Flavor Depth Tip: For an even richer, more complex flavor in your chicken filling, try adding a splash of Shaoxing rice wine (Chinese cooking wine) or dry sherry along with the soy sauce and hoisin. A touch of fish sauce can also enhance the umami, but use it sparingly as it’s quite potent.
- Get Ahead Hack: Chop all your vegetables and aromatics (garlic, ginger, green onions) ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This makes the cooking process even faster when you're ready to make the wraps.
- Reheating for Best Texture: When reheating the chicken filling, avoid overheating it, which can make the chicken dry. Reheat gently over medium heat, adding a tablespoon of water or broth to maintain moisture.