Des

Hey! I'm Des!

Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

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Chicken Lettuce Wraps

From time to time I ask friends of mine what kind of recipes they would like me to share on the blog. I have one friend who suggests sweets each time I ask her because frankly, I think she’s obsessed. So imagine my shock when I asked her a couple of weeks ago if she had anything in particular she’d like me to make. I fully expected her to say “Chocolate chocolate cake with sugar filling and sugar frosting topped with sugar” but instead she said, “You know, lettuce wraps would be nice.” And I agreed.

I first discovered lettuce wraps a few years ago when the whole anti-carb thing was super popular. I was a server during this time and all of a sudden everyone wanted their food wrapped in lettuce. You don’t want that bread with your sandwich? Wrap the filling in a piece of lettuce. You don’t want a bun with your double bacon cheeseburger? Sandwich it between two pieces of lettuce, it’s healthier right? I seriously had one customer tell me that. I on the other hand, didn’t fully embrace the new eating trend because, well any life without pasta is not one that I want to live.  However, one thing I really did enjoy were the Asian style lettuce wraps filled with chicken, bean sprouts, water chestnuts and Asian spices. I love the contrast of the savory, yet slightly sweet filling, with the cool crunch of lettuce.

For this recipe, I decided to use a little Chinese five spice powder which you can find in the Asian aisle of your local grocery store. The most common variety has a bit of cinnamon in it that adds a nice touch of sweetness to the mixture. It also has flavors of ginger root, star anise and cloves.

chicken lettuce wrap on white plate.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken and beans sprouts with five spice powder spooned into cool lettuce leaves.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper diced (optional)
  • 1 5 ounce can sliced water chestnuts
  • 8 ounces bean sprouts
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
  • kosher salt to taste
  • 8 Boston lettuce leaves can substitute iceberg or Bibb lettuce
  • Optional garnishes: roasted sesame seeds sriracha, chopped peanuts

Instructions
 

  • Heat sesame oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and 1/2 of minced garlic, cook until chicken is no longer pink. Transfer to a colander to drain liquid. Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
  • To the pan add jalapeno (if using), water chestnuts, bean sprouts, green onions, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and Chinese five spice. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until bean sprouts are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
  • Gently rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves.
  • Spoon mixture into leaves just before serving. Or place chicken mixture in a bowl next to lettuce leaves and let people dish up for themselves. Serve with roasted sesame seeds, sriracha or chopped peanuts as garnishes.

Notes

By the way, I told my friend I was writing about her, and she said the chocolate chocolate cake with sugar filling and sugar frosting topped with sugar actually sounded good. I told you she was obsessed. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: appetizer, asian, asian food, bean sprouts, bibb lettuce, boston lettuce, chicken, diet, Food, ground chicken, healthy, lettuce, low carb, PF Changs, Recipe, snack, water chestnuts

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    KTC
    December 5, 2010 at 11:23 am

    I made these last night for dinner with fried rice, they were delicious! http://thisiswhyktcishot.blogspot.com/2010/12/saturday-night-dinner.html

  • Reply
    Alyson
    April 7, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Wow Des! I have a new favorite! It was so easy to make and super healthy. If steve leaves me any of the leftovers when he gets done with work, then my plan is to make it into a salad tomorrow and try your Sesame Vinaigrette dressing since I already have all of the ingredients at home. Thanks for a great dinner!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      April 13, 2010 at 7:53 pm

      You’re welcome Alyson! Hopefully Steve left you some leftovers, if not maybe you’ll have to make it again. I’d love to know what a salad version of this would taste like. :)

  • Reply
    yellie
    November 17, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    very nice recipe, made it tonight, every one loved it, the flavors bended really well, added some ginger, use the pepper, gives it the kick

    thank you

    • Reply
      Deseree
      November 21, 2009 at 9:35 am

      You’re welcome Yellie! I am glad everyone enjoyed these :)

  • Reply
    Deseree
    August 21, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Thanks Selba!

  • Reply
    Selba
    August 21, 2009 at 3:46 am

    I love to wrap stuff with lettuce! Nice recipe :)

  • Reply
    Deseree
    August 20, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    haha Soma I do the same thing! :)

  • Reply
    Soma
    August 19, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I have seen the wraps in the Asian restaurants & I always eye one in another table..LOL fresh protein filed salad like this is good.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »