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