Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups are a healthy spin on the popular restaurant appetizer. Packed with classic Asian flavors like ginger, hoisin, and sesame, you won’t notice the missing fat and calories.
Do you know what’s crazy about this recipe? We probably eat some version of these lettuce cups at least two or three times a month. As a food blogger who rarely eats the same dinner twice, that tells you something about how tasty (and easy!) it is to make Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups at home.
My Asian Veggie Lettuce Cups were a huge hit when I shared them a couple of years ago but more often than not, we love adding some form of protein including ground turkey, shrimp, pork or even edamame. Since I always keep a well-stocked Asian pantry, these come together quickly any night of the week with whatever ingredients I have on hand.
People often ask me for ways to save money on their grocery bill while trying to eat healthy. Specifically, how to handle to the cost of high quality, organic meat. Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups are a great way to fill your plate with tons of veggies while only using three chicken breasts to feed a family of four. In fact, you could even get away with two chicken breasts and add in two more cups of chopped vegetables instead.
Now that farmers market season is upon us, these lettuce cups are perfect for using whatever vegetables you have on hand or are in season including asparagus, zucchini, green peas, carrots and more. The options are endless.
What is your favorite stir-fry ingredient? I would love to hear from you.
No forks required.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts ((boneless skinless) – about 6 oz each)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 medium zucchini (diced)
- 1 red pepper (seeded & diced)
- 2 tablespoon ginger (minced)
- 3 cloves garlic (grated)
- 2 inch piece ginger root (grated)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons gluten free hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (or sambal oelek)
- 8 ounce can water chestnuts (diced)
- 8 ounce can bamboo shoots (sliced)
- 4 scallions (minced)
- 1 leaves head iceberg lettuce (separated)
- chopped peanuts (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Quarter chicken breasts and place in a food processor. Pulse on high until chicken is finely chopped – similar to the consistency of ground chicken.
- Heat a wok or large, deep pan over medium high and spray with non-stick spray. Add minced chicken to the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring continuously, until chicken is cooked through and starting to brown, 5-6 minutes. Remove cooked chicken from pan and set aside.
- To the hot pan, add onion, zucchini, red pepper and a small pinch of salt to release juices. Sauté until veggies soften, 3-4 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sauce: garlic, ginger, sesame oil, soy, hoisin, rice vinegar and sambal oelek; set aside.
- Once veggies have softened, add water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, cooked chicken and reserved sauce to the pan. Heat until warmed through.
- Stir in minced scallions and check for seasoning. Adjust accordingly.
- Serve mixture in lettuce cups and garnish with chopped peanuts, more scallions and as much sriracha as your heart desires.
Aww that’s so awesome!!! I hope you like !
So much goodness in these cups! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
This looks amazing! Love all of those veggies!
LOVE this recipe and idea, need to start making lettuce wraps asap, because I do love them, and they sound so yummy and easy to make….it also really does say a lot if a food blogger makes recipes more than once lol, so this definitely sounds like a winner!
Yum! We love lettuce cups and wraps, especially with these flavors. I want this for lunch. Can you come over and make it for me? ;)
So much deliciousness in a non-carby wrap!!! Bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and peanuts are some of my favorite add-ins – these looks delectable!
We eat lettuce wraps or cups several times a month too! It’s a staple recipe and so easy. Love your version!
Oh yes, yes, yes. LOVE these!!
Love this healthy alternative, they look perfect. So light and perfect for summer!
Thanks so much!
These lettuce cups are so pretty. Lovely recipe!
Thank you Carrian!
These look great! I’ve made something similar before, but it looks like your version will have a lot more flavor (win). My farm share gives me an absurd amount of lettuce, so I’m getting really into lettuce cups this summer.
These are perfect for excess lettuce!
I can’t get over how something so delicious looking can be as healthy as this is, Liz. You’re awesome!
Aww thank you so much!
These sound brilliant Liz! I’m always looking for tasty but lighter dinner inspiration for these summer months and these fit the bill perfectly.
Thank you so much Kathryn!! Hope you’re well!
I love the idea of using less meat and filling them up with extra veggies. You get a nice protein punch but more vegetables. These look fantastic!
Yes!! Meat and tons of veggies is always my motto!