Asian Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps
A 20-minute healthy dinner that rivals your favorite takeout!
KEY INFO
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary: Dairy-free (Gluten-free optional)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large wok or skillet
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Small bowl for sauce
- Measuring spoons
- Alternative: Regular frying pan works fine
INGREDIENTS
For the Filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (8oz/227g) water chestnuts, chopped
- 2 heads butter lettuce (or romaine)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tbsp (45ml) soy sauce
- 2 tbsp (30ml) hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp (15ml) sesame oil
- 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tsp (5g) ginger, grated
Optional Garnishes:
- Crushed peanuts
- Green onions
- Sriracha sauce
METHOD
- Whisk sauce ingredients in a small bowl until well combined
- Heat wok over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp oil
- Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spatula (cook until no pink remains, about 5–6 minutes)
- Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper (cook 3–4 minutes until softened)
- Pour in sauce mixture, stir well to coat everything
- Add water chestnuts, cook for 2 minutes more
- Serve hot in lettuce leaves
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed
- Keep lettuce leaves whole and dry
- Filling should be slightly saucy but not wet
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage: Keep filling refrigerated up to 3 days
Scaling: Recipe doubles easily for crowds
Common Mistakes:
- Overcooking the vegetables
- Using wet lettuce leaves
- Making filling too saucy
Variations:
- Swap chicken for turkey or pork
- Add mushrooms for extra umami
- Use coconut aminos for gluten-free version
- Spice it up with chili oil
Temperature check: Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C)
Visual doneness cues: Chicken should be lightly browned, vegetables tender-crisp, sauce slightly thickened
I love serving these lettuce wraps when I’m craving something light but satisfying. They’re perfect for warm evenings when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen for too long. The key is getting that perfect balance of savory filling and crisp lettuce – it’s all about the textural contrast!
