Description
Savory Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps deliver explosive Asian-inspired flavors that dance across palate boundaries. Crisp lettuce cups cradle spicy minced chicken, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) ground chicken
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup (120 ml) diced water chestnuts (canned, drained)
- ½ cup (120 ml) green onions, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) shredded carrots (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sriracha (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) brown sugar
- 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- Extra green onions or chopped peanuts for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl, creating a flavorful blend that will enhance the chicken mixture.
- Chicken Sautéing: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then brown ground chicken thoroughly, breaking it into fine crumbles while cooking.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Incorporate onion, garlic, and ginger into the skillet, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their robust flavors.
- Vegetable Integration: Mix in water chestnuts, green onions, and shredded carrots, cooking briefly to maintain their crisp texture and add depth to the dish.
- Sauce Infusion: Pour prepared sauce over the chicken mixture, stirring to ensure complete and even coating, then allow to simmer until the sauce slightly thickens and clings to the ingredients.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer the aromatic chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves, creating elegant wraps that showcase the vibrant filling.
- Final Garnish: Optional – Sprinkle additional green onions or chopped peanuts on top for extra crunch and visual appeal, then serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use lean ground chicken and break it into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent clumping.
- Simmer sauce slowly to achieve the right thickness; if too thin, let it reduce longer or add a small cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Choose crisp, sturdy lettuce varieties like iceberg or butter lettuce that can hold the filling without tearing and provide a satisfying crunch.
- Toast sesame oil briefly before adding chicken to release its nutty aroma and intensify the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg