Description
Savor Thailand’s culinary magic with these zesty Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, packed with fresh herbs and bold flavors. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle spicy, fragrant chicken, inviting you to enjoy a quick, delightful meal that brings Southeast Asian street food right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup carrots, grated or julienned
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Serving Accompaniments:
- Butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce leaves
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant, umami-rich sauce by whisking together soy sauce, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, honey, and red pepper flakes in a petite mixing vessel. Reserve the aromatic blend for later integration.
- Heat a skillet with sesame oil over medium-high temperature, introducing ground chicken and fragmenting the protein with a wooden utensil. Sauté until the meat transforms into a golden-brown, thoroughly cooked state, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate a medley of aromatics and vegetables: finely diced onion, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, diced bell pepper, and julienned carrots. Toss into the sizzling chicken, allowing the ingredients to meld and vegetables to soften while maintaining a delightful crispness.
- Stream the previously prepared sauce over the chicken-vegetable ensemble, ensuring comprehensive coating. Allow the mixture to simmer briefly, permitting the sauce to thicken and permeate the filling with complex flavors.
- Gently separate crisp lettuce leaves, creating natural, verdant vessels for the savory filling. Spoon the chicken mixture into each leaf’s center with precision.
- Elevate the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and crunchy roasted peanuts. Accompany with zesty lime wedges to provide a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the rich, spiced filling.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing everyone to enjoy their preferred spiciness.
- Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility and diverse protein options.
- Toast sesame seeds or peanuts briefly before adding for enhanced nutty flavor and extra crunch in the wraps.
- Prep all ingredients beforehand to ensure quick cooking and seamless assembly of these delightful lettuce wraps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg