Description
These flavorful lettuce wraps combine ground chicken with a savory hoisin and soy-based sauce, fresh aromatics, and crunchy water chestnuts, all wrapped in crisp butter lettuce cups. A quick and healthy meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce (or tamari sauce for gluten-free)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 1/2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sriracha or gochujang (optional, for spice)
Filling
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken (or substitute ground turkey)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained and diced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion (plus more to serve)
- 1 head butter lettuce (or romaine hearts), separated into cups
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, water, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and sriracha or gochujang if using. Stir well and set aside.
- Cook the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken or turkey and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spatula until it is just cooked through. Add the diced onion and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the onions have softened and the meat is nicely browned.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, just until the mixture is fragrant.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the meat mixture. Stir well to evenly coat the meat and sauté for 1 minute to blend the flavors.
- Finish the Filling: Mix in the diced water chestnuts and chopped green onions. Cook for another minute to warm through. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the warm chicken mixture into the prepared lettuce cups and garnish with additional green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for the chicken if preferred.
- Use gluten-free tamari soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha or gochujang to suit your desired spice level.
- Butter lettuce or romaine hearts work best as sturdy yet tender wraps.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with finely chopped mushrooms or tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian