Zesty Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe

A zesty Asian garlic sesame chicken that dances between crisp lettuce leaves, inviting you to an explosion of flavors.

Tender chicken pieces glazed with a vibrant sauce that whispers umami secrets.

Crunch meets softness in these delightful cups, where each bite promises a perfect balance of textures.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become exotic culinary adventures with minimal preparation time.

Aromatic garlic and nutty sesame weave magic into every morsel, transforming simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Light, refreshing, and packed with protein, these lettuce cups offer a healthier twist on traditional takeout favorites.

You’ll want to gather friends and create a fun, interactive meal that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Let these irresistible chicken lettuce cups become your new go-to recipe for instant meal satisfaction.

Helpful Tips For Lettuce Cups With Chicken

• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast sesame seeds before adding to enhance their nutty, rich taste and create a more complex flavor profile.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust sriracha quantity based on personal spice preference, adding gradually to control the dish's warmth.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken mixture ahead and store separately from lettuce leaves, keeping ingredients crisp and fresh for easy quick lunches.
• Low-Carb Friendly: Replace honey with stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce sugar content while maintaining the recipe's authentic sweet-savory balance.
• Vegetarian Swap: Substitute ground chicken with crumbled extra-firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives for a protein-packed vegetarian version.

How To Store Lettuce Cups With Chicken Safely

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm chicken mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Skillet Reheating: Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Splash a little extra soy sauce or water to refresh the flavors and prevent sticking.
• Storage Tip: Keep lettuce leaves separate from the chicken mixture to maintain their crispness. Wrap lettuce in damp paper towels and store in a sealed container to keep them fresh and crisp.

What Goes Well With These Lettuce Cups

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A slightly sweet Riesling cuts through the savory garlic and balances the spicy sriracha, creating a refreshing contrast that elevates the dish's Asian flavors.
• Match with Cucumber Mint Mocktail: This light, cool drink complements the warm chicken mixture, providing a zesty and herbal counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve with Crunchy Asian Slaw: A tangy, fresh coleslaw with rice vinegar and sesame oil adds textural contrast and enhances the lettuce cups' light, vibrant profile.
• Add Pickled Radish Side: Quick-pickled radishes bring a sharp, bright acidity that cuts through the rich chicken and adds a delightful crunch to the meal.

Fun Flavors To Try In Lettuce Cups

• Spicy Korean Fusion Cups: Replace ground chicken with spicy Korean-style ground beef, add gochujang for extra heat, and mix in kimchi for bold flavor complexity.
• Mediterranean Herb Lettuce Cups: Swap ground chicken for ground lamb, incorporate oregano and mint, use tzatziki sauce instead of Asian-style sauce, and sprinkle feta cheese on top.
• Vegetarian Tofu Protein Wrap: Substitute ground chicken with crumbled firm tofu, increase ginger and garlic quantities, add diced bell peppers for extra crunch, and use tamari for gluten-free option.
• Thai-Inspired Coconut Chicken Cups: Integrate coconut milk into sauce, add lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves for authentic Thai profile, garnish with fresh cilantro and crushed peanuts for texture variation.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups FAQs

• What makes these lettuce cups a healthier alternative to traditional wraps?

The lettuce cups provide a low-carb, gluten-free base that cuts down on calories while adding a fresh, crisp texture to the dish. They’re a great way to enjoy a protein-packed meal without heavy bread or tortillas.

• Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

Absolutely! The sriracha is optional, so you can easily adjust the heat level. Skip it completely for a mild version, or add more to increase the spiciness according to your taste preferences.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes! The chicken mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply reheat and serve in fresh lettuce leaves for a quick and easy meal that stays delicious for 23 days.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Ground chicken is ideal, but you can also use ground turkey or finely chopped chicken breast if you prefer. The key is to ensure the meat is finely broken down and well-seasoned.

Why Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups Are So Fresh

• Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold Asian-inspired tastes, this recipe delivers a mouthwatering punch of garlic, ginger, and sweet-spicy sauce in just 15 minutes of cooking time.
• Craft Effortless Healthy Wraps: Lettuce cups provide a low-carb, fresh alternative to traditional bread, making this dish perfect for light meals and guilt-free eating without sacrificing incredible flavor.
• Enjoy Texture-Rich Meal Experience: Ground chicken creates a delightful, tender filling complemented by crunchy water chestnuts and crisp lettuce leaves, offering a satisfying multi-textural bite that keeps every mouthful interesting.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Weeknight Wonder: Minimal ingredients, simple cooking steps, and customizable spice levels make this recipe a family-friendly option that appeals to both adults and kids while requiring minimal kitchen skills.

Ingredients For Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein base for the lettuce cups, versatile and quick to cook.

• Garlic, Ginger, Onion: Aromatic trio that provides deep, warm flavor to the chicken mixture.
• Carrots, Water Chestnuts: Add crunch, texture, and subtle sweetness to the filling.
• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for brightness and garnish.

• Soy Sauce: Salty, umami foundation for the sauce, classic Asian flavor.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet and tangy condiment that adds rich depth to the chicken.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides bright, sharp acidity to balance the sauce.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that helps create a glossy sauce finish.
• Sriracha: Optional spicy element for heat lovers.
• Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds: Nutty, toasted flavor that defines the Asian profile.

• Lettuce Leaves: Crisp, fresh wrapper for the flavorful chicken mixture, low-carb option.

How To Make Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high and drizzle in sesame oil. Add ground chicken and break it into crumbly pieces while cooking. Let the meat develop a rich golden-brown color, ensuring it’s thoroughly cooked and packed with flavor.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Goodness

• Garlic
• Fresh ginger
• Diced onion

• Shredded carrots
• Crunchy water chestnuts

Mix everything until well combined and slightly softened.

Step 3: Create Magical Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Spicy sriracha (optional for heat lovers)

Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer. Watch as the mixture transforms, becoming glossy and slightly thickened.

Step 4: Garnish and Wrap

• Chopped green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

Scoop the saucy chicken into crisp lettuce leaves. Top with extra sesame seeds and green onions for a burst of freshness.

Serve immediately and prepare for a flavor explosion!

Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups bring explosive flavors straight from kitchen to plate. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle tender, savory chicken kissed with garlic and sesame, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground chicken
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• ½ small onion, finely diced

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Additional Components:

• 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

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Instructions

1. Warm a skillet with sesame oil over medium-high temperature, ensuring an even heat distribution for optimal cooking.
2. Introduce ground chicken into the skillet, methodically breaking apart the meat and allowing it to brown thoroughly, which should take approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, grated ginger, and finely diced onion into the chicken, sautéing until an aromatic fragrance develops, roughly 2 minutes.
4. Fold in julienned carrots and crisp water chestnuts, gently stirring to integrate these textural ingredients with the chicken.
5. Prepare a dynamic sauce by whisking together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and optional sriracha in a separate mixing bowl.
6. Pour the crafted sauce into the skillet, ensuring complete coverage of the chicken mixture, and allow it to simmer and slightly thicken for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and delicately fold in freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
8. Carefully spoon the seasoned chicken mixture into pristine lettuce leaves, creating individual cups.
9. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onion slivers for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
10. Serve immediately to preserve the optimal temperature and textural integrity of the dish.

Notes

• Choose crisp, sturdy lettuce leaves like butter or romaine for the best wrap structure and minimal tearing.
• Adjust the heat level by controlling sriracha amount or using mild chili sauce for sensitive palates.
• Prep all ingredients beforehand to ensure quick and smooth cooking process, making this a 15-minute meal.
• Transform this recipe into a low-carb, keto-friendly dish by swapping honey with sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg