These Asian lettuce wraps are a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. The combination of savory ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and aromatic ginger wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves makes for a refreshing and healthy dish.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in your pantry. Hoisin sauce is a sweet and salty condiment used in Asian cuisine, and rice wine vinegar adds a mild acidity. Water chestnuts provide a unique crunch and are usually found in the canned vegetable aisle. Make sure to check the international foods section for these items.
Ingredients For Asian Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Ground chicken: A lean protein that absorbs flavors well.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken and adding a subtle richness.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the dish.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor.
Hoisin sauce: A sweet and salty sauce that enhances the umami of the dish.
Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and depth of flavor.
Rice wine vinegar: Brings a mild acidity to balance the flavors.
Ginger: Adds a fresh, spicy note.
Water chestnuts: Provide a crunchy texture.
Green onions: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor.
Butter lettuce: Used as a crisp, refreshing wrap for the chicken mixture.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the ground chicken, make sure to break it up into small pieces as it cooks to ensure even browning and a better texture for the lettuce wraps. Additionally, finely dicing the onion and water chestnuts will help them blend seamlessly into the mixture, providing a consistent bite and flavor throughout.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground chicken - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor that complements Asian dishes well.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter taste, which can enhance the overall flavor.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce has a sweet and savory profile that can mimic the taste of hoisin sauce.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar salty and umami flavor.
rice wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and can be used in a pinch.
grated ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used if fresh ginger is not available, though it is less aromatic.
water chestnuts - Substitute with jicama: Jicama provides a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor.
green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.
butter lettuce - Substitute with romaine lettuce: Romaine lettuce has sturdy leaves that can hold the filling well.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the ground chicken mixture to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the mixture soggy.
Transfer the cooled chicken mixture into an airtight container. For added protection, you can also wrap the mixture in plastic wrap before placing it in the container.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the wraps within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together beautifully, making the dish even more delicious.
For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The chicken mixture can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing its flavor and texture.
When you're ready to enjoy the wraps, thaw the chicken mixture in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
Reheat the chicken mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it's heated through. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe dish, stirring every 30 seconds to ensure even heating.
Store the butter lettuce separately in a plastic bag or container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. This keeps the leaves crisp and fresh.
If you have leftover water chestnuts, green onions, or other fresh ingredients, store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Use them within a few days for the best quality.
Assemble the wraps just before serving to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and the freshness of the ingredients.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
- Add the leftover ground chicken mixture and stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Ensure the water chestnuts and green onions are evenly warmed.
- Serve immediately in fresh butter lettuce leaves.
Microwave Method:
- Place the ground chicken mixture in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check if the mixture is heated through; if not, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals.
- Serve in fresh butter lettuce leaves.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the ground chicken mixture in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
- Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the mixture is thoroughly warmed.
- Stir halfway through the heating process to ensure even warming.
- Serve in fresh butter lettuce leaves.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the ground chicken mixture in a heatproof dish and set it in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through.
- Serve in fresh butter lettuce leaves.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A large skillet is essential for cooking the ground chicken and combining all the ingredients. It provides even heat distribution and enough space to stir everything together.
Spatula: A spatula is useful for breaking up the ground chicken as it cooks and for stirring the ingredients together.
Knife: A sharp knife is necessary for dicing the onion, mincing the garlic, and chopping the green onions.
Cutting board: A cutting board provides a safe and clean surface for chopping and dicing ingredients.
Grater: A grater is used to grate the ginger, ensuring it is finely shredded and evenly distributed in the mixture.
Can opener: A can opener is needed to open the can of water chestnuts.
Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are used to accurately measure the olive oil, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and grated ginger.
Mixing spoon: A mixing spoon is helpful for stirring the ingredients together in the skillet.
Serving spoon: A serving spoon is used to spoon the chicken mixture into the lettuce leaves.
Lettuce leaves: Butter lettuce leaves are used as the wrap for the chicken mixture, providing a fresh and crisp base.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the green onions in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-minced garlic and ginger: Save time by using store-bought pre-minced garlic and ginger.
Pre-cook chicken: Cook the ground chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat when ready to use.
Ready-to-use sauces: Measure out the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar before starting to cook.
One-pan method: Use a large skillet to cook everything together, reducing the number of dishes to wash.
Asian Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 can water chestnuts, drained and diced 8 oz
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in onion, garlic, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ginger until onions have become translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in water chestnuts and green onions until tender, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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