Description
Savory pork and chicken lettuce wraps blend Mexican and Asian influences with zesty spices and fresh ingredients. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle a dynamic mix of proteins, herbs, and tangy sauces you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz (283 g) ground chicken
- ⅓ cup cashews (raw or roasted/salted), chopped
- 1 head butter lettuce leaves, separated and rinsed
- ¼–½ cup carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup onion (yellow or white), diced
- ¼ cup scallions, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger or ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup Tamari (low sodium) or soy sauce, coconut aminos
- 2 tbsps Thai sweet red chili sauce
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- Sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, softly caramelize onions until translucent and golden-edged, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic and ginger to the onion foundation, stirring continuously to unleash their robust essence for 2 minutes.
- Protein Preparation: Add ground chicken to the pan, methodically crumble with a wooden spatula, season with salt and pepper, and cook until uniformly browned and thoroughly done, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Flavor Fusion: Whisk together soy sauce, chili sauce, lime juice, and honey to create a dynamic sauce, then pour over the chicken and integrate roughly chopped cashews, reducing heat to low for 2 minutes to harmonize flavors.
- Final Assembly: Remove from heat, gently fold in carrots, scallions, and cilantro, then delicately spoon the fragrant mixture into crisp lettuce leaves, finishing with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a sophisticated presentation.
Notes
- Optimize Oil Temperature: Heat sesame oil just until it shimmers to prevent burning and ensure perfect sautéing without losing delicate flavor profiles.
- Control Meat Texture: Break ground chicken into small, uniform crumbles using a wooden spatula for even cooking and appealing presentation.
- Balance Sauce Ingredients: Whisk sauce components thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that complement the chicken.
- Serve Immediately: Plate lettuce wraps right after cooking to maintain optimal temperature, crispness of lettuce, and vibrant herb freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 332
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg