Chicken Lettuce Cups are a super easy and quick meal that I really love.
They’re great for a light lunch, a healthy dinner, or even as a fun snack for a party. I like that they have lots of flavor and different textures, but they don’t make you feel too full.
Plus, you can change them up however you want!
Recipe Overview
These Chicken Lettuce Cups are made with tasty ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and a yummy sauce, all wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.
They’re a healthier option than regular wraps or tacos. They give you a nice crunch and a taste of Asian flavors. They’re quick to make, so they’re perfect for busy weeknights.
You can eat them as a main dish, a light lunch, or a fun appetizer at a party. It’s like a fun, build-your-own meal where everyone makes their own little wraps of goodness.
They’re also good for making ahead of time. You can cook the filling first and then just put the cups together when you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients for Chicken Lettuce Cups
Here’s what you need to make these yummy cups:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 pound of ground chicken
- 1 small onion, chopped into small pieces
- 2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
- 1 (8-ounce) can of water chestnuts, drained and chopped into small pieces
- 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (or tamari if you don’t eat gluten)
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if you want it a little spicy)
- 1 head of butter lettuce, with the leaves separated and washed
- Optional toppings: chopped green onions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, sriracha
A little note about the ingredients: Butter lettuce is my favorite for these because the leaves are big and bendy, so they’re great for holding the filling. But you can use romaine or iceberg lettuce too.
You can find hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in the Asian food section of the grocery store.
If you want to change it up, you can use ground turkey instead of ground chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s start cooking! Here’s how to make these tasty cups:
- Heat the olive oil in a big pan over medium-high heat. Put the ground chicken in and cook it, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s brown and cooked all the way. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Make sure there are no pink pieces left.
- Put the chopped onion in the pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until it’s soft. You should be able to see through it a little. Then, add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute, until it smells good.
- Mix in the chopped water chestnuts, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ground ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them). Make sure everything is mixed together well.
- Turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, so the flavors mix together. The sauce should get a little thicker. Taste it and add more seasonings if you need to – maybe a little more soy sauce if you want it saltier, or more red pepper flakes if you want it spicier.
- Take the pan off the heat. Carefully put the chicken mixture into the lettuce leaves.
- Add any toppings you want, like chopped green onions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or a little sriracha. Eat them right away and enjoy!
Variations & Tips
- Make it Vegetarian: Use crumbled tofu or chopped mushrooms instead of ground chicken.
- Add More Veggies: You can add other chopped veggies to the filling, like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- Make Ahead: You can cook the chicken filling up to 2 days before and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Storage: Keep leftover chicken filling in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Heat the chicken filling in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave until it’s warm.
- Serving: You can eat the lettuce cups with a side of rice or quinoa to make it a bigger meal.
Key Details for Chicken Lettuce Cups
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Equipment you’ll need: Large skillet, spoon or spatula
FAQ
Can I use a different kind of lettuce?
Yes! Butter lettuce is my favorite, but you can use romaine, iceberg, or even big collard greens. Just make sure the lettuce leaves are big and strong enough to hold the filling.
How can I make this if I don’t eat gluten?
To make this without gluten, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is like soy sauce but without gluten. Also, check the label on your hoisin sauce to make sure it doesn’t have gluten.
Can I add other toppings?
Yes! You can use any toppings you like. Shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, a little lime juice, or even some plain Greek yogurt are all good options.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a little bit of spice from the red pepper flakes, but you can add more or less, or leave them out completely.
How do I keep the lettuce cups from breaking?
Don’t put too much filling in the lettuce leaves. Use a little bit of filling and fold the sides of the lettuce leaf over it. You can also use two lettuce leaves for each cup to make it stronger.