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Asian Garlic Sesame Chicken Lettuce Cups

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  • Author: Maria B. Evans
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
  • Method: Stir-Fry
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

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:

  1. Heat sesame oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add ground chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.

2. Add Flavor:

  1. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Pour in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha.
  3. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.
  4. Stir in green onions and sesame seeds, then remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Lettuce Cups:

  1. Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves.
  2. 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