Description
Scrumptious asian garlic sesame chicken lettuce cups deliver a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle savory marinated chicken, offering a delightful meal you will savor with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha or chili paste
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup water chestnuts, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine lettuce
- Extra sesame seeds and green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, creating an even cooking surface for the chicken.
- Chicken Browning: Add ground chicken, breaking it down and cooking until thoroughly browned and no pink remains, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced onion, sautéing until the mixture releases a rich, fragrant aroma.
- Vegetable Integration: Fold in julienned carrots and water chestnuts, blending these crisp elements seamlessly with the chicken.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha in a separate bowl to develop a complex flavor profile.
- Sauce Incorporation: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture, allowing it to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat and gently mix in chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added depth and texture.
- Serving Presentation: Spoon the seasoned chicken into crisp lettuce leaves, creating elegant, handheld cups ready for enjoyment.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle additional sesame seeds and green onion slivers on top, then serve immediately to maintain optimal flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Choose Lean Chicken: Select ground chicken with lower fat content for a healthier, lighter version of the dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for a more concentrated flavor or adding a touch of water if it becomes too dense.
- Prep Ingredients First: Chop and measure all ingredients before cooking to ensure smooth, stress-free preparation and prevent burning or overcooking.
- Customize Lettuce Cups: Swap traditional lettuce with butter lettuce or iceberg for easier wrapping and a different texture profile, catering to personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg