Description
These Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps offer a delicious and healthy twist on classic Asian flavors. Ground chicken is cooked with garlic, ginger, and vibrant vegetables, then simmered in a tangy and sweet chili sauce, all served fresh in crisp lettuce leaves. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, this recipe combines the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup canned water chestnuts, diced
Flavorings and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
To Serve
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine leaves, separated
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant to build the flavor base.
- Add Vegetables: Mix in diced red bell pepper, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, and diced water chestnuts. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly but remain crisp.
- Combine Sauces: Pour in Thai sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and lime juice. Stir well to combine all ingredients and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove skillet from heat, then fold in chopped cilantro for freshness. Spoon the chicken mixture into separated lettuce leaves, top with chopped peanuts if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, use romaine or iceberg lettuce instead of butter lettuce for extra crunch.
- To add heat, incorporate sriracha sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the chicken while cooking.
- Ground turkey is a great substitute for chicken if preferred.
- Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Peanuts are optional; you can omit for a nut-free version or substitute with toasted sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 lettuce wraps
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
