Description
These Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fresh and flavorful main course featuring ground chicken cooked with garlic, ginger, and colorful veggies, tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Served in crisp butter or romaine lettuce leaves and garnished with fresh herbs and optional peanuts, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for a healthy low-carb meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Filling
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and rinsed
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey or maple syrup, and sriracha until well combined. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and cooked through.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the flavor base.
- Cook Vegetables: Add diced red bell pepper and shredded carrots to the skillet, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften slightly but maintain some crunch.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture, stirring well to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in chopped green onions and fresh cilantro to add freshness and brightness to the dish.
- Assemble Wraps: Spoon the warm chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for added texture and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or tofu for ground chicken to customize the protein.
- Add water chestnuts for extra crunch inside the wraps.
- Serve alongside jasmine rice for a more filling meal.
