Imagine a dish that's not just a meal, but an experience - crisp, fresh butter lettuce cradling a succulent, flavor-packed chicken filling that promises to transport you straight to a bustling Asian street market. These Mama's Favorite Lettuce Wraps are more than just a recipe; they're a culinary adventure that combines the lightness of fresh vegetables with the rich, umami-packed goodness of perfectly seasoned ground chicken. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer that will wow your guests, these lettuce wraps are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 head of butter lettuce
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing and chopping vegetables. Carefully separate butter lettuce leaves, rinsing and patting them dry to create perfect wrap shells.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and bell peppers, sautéing until they become soft and slightly translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook the meat thoroughly, stirring continuously until it's no longer pink and has developed a light golden color.
- Pour soy sauce and hoisin sauce over the chicken mixture, stirring to ensure even coating. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer with the meat for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Remove skillet from heat and let the chicken mixture cool slightly for easier handling.
- Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter, creating individual wrap stations.
- Spoon the warm chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf, ensuring even distribution.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately, encouraging guests to fold and roll their own lettuce wraps for a fun, interactive dining experience.
Tips
- Choose the Right Lettuce: Butter lettuce is key - its soft, flexible leaves create the perfect wrap without tearing.
- Prep Ahead: Chop all ingredients before cooking to ensure a smooth, stress-free cooking process.
- Get the Meat Texture Right: Break ground chicken into small, even crumbles for the best bite and even cooking.
- Don't Overcook: Cook chicken just until it's no longer pink to keep it tender and juicy.
- Sauce Balance is Crucial: The combination of soy and hoisin sauce creates a perfect flavor profile - don't skip or substitute carelessly.
- Serve Immediately: These wraps are best enjoyed fresh and warm, so time your serving carefully.
- Make it Interactive: Let everyone assemble their own wraps for a fun, personalized dining experience.
- Optional Heat: Keep some sriracha or chili sauce on the side for those who like an extra kick!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 90mg
