Description
These Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups are a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal! Juicy chicken is coated in a garlicky sesame sauce and served in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh and light dish. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional for heat)
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
For Serving:
- 1 head butter lettuce, iceberg, or romaine (leaves separated)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or cashews (optional for crunch)
- Extra sesame seeds & green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat sesame oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add ground chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.
2. Add Flavor:
- Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha.
- Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in green onions and sesame seeds, then remove from heat.
3. Assemble the Lettuce Cups:
- Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves.
- Top with carrots, peanuts, and extra green onions if desired.
4. Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve immediately with extra soy sauce or sriracha on the side!
Notes
- Protein Swap: Use ground turkey, beef, or tofu for a variation.
- Want it extra crispy? Add water chestnuts or chopped mushrooms for texture.
- Make it a meal! Serve with rice or noodles for a heartier dish.
- Storage: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg