Description
A lightning-fast, healthy weeknight dinner featuring savory ground chicken wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves. This interactive meal is packed with protein and flavor, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground chicken (93% or 99% lean)
- 1 large head butter lettuce (about 300g)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium or Tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 4 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 can (8oz) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (avocado or canola)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice green onions, mince ginger and garlic, and drain water chestnuts. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch; set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Push chicken to the sides to create space in the center. Add minced garlic and ginger to the center and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Mix back with chicken.
- Pour the soy sauce and hoisin mixture over the chicken. Stir to coat and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the meat.
- Stir in chopped water chestnuts and the white parts of the green onions. Cook for 30 seconds to warm through.
- Remove from heat. Drizzle with toasted sesame oil and stir. Adjust seasoning or add red pepper flakes for heat if desired.
- Spoon the filling into butter lettuce leaves. Garnish with green parts of green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
Use fresh ginger and garlic for best flavor. Keep lettuce cold until serving to maintain crispness. Do not freeze the filling as water chestnuts lose crunch and lettuce wilts. For a vegan option, substitute chicken with crumbled tofu or tempeh and use vegan hoisin and tamari.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 wraps per servin
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: ground chicken, lettuce wraps, healthy dinner, quick meals, Asian inspired, weeknight dinner, low carb, high protein