Description
Zesty teriyaki chicken lettuce wraps showcase Asian-inspired flavors with fresh ingredients. Simple preparation delivers a light, delicious meal perfect for quick dinners or casual gatherings you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine (leaves separated and rinsed)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup diced water chestnuts
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsps honey
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup water
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- Sesame seeds
- Extra chopped green onions
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, sesame oil, garlic powder, and ground ginger in a bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Sauté Foundation: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce diced onions and cook until translucent, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Protein Development: Add minced garlic and ginger, then incorporate ground chicken. Break down the meat while cooking until it achieves a rich, golden-brown color, ensuring thorough cooking and maximum flavor infusion.
- Vegetable Integration: Fold in shredded carrots and water chestnuts, then pour the prepared teriyaki sauce. Stir continuously to coat all ingredients evenly and develop a harmonious flavor profile.
- Sauce Reduction: Simmer the mixture, allowing the sauce to thicken and create a glossy, luxurious coating that clings perfectly to the chicken and vegetables.
- Final Touches: Remove from heat and gently mix in chopped green onions. Transfer the aromatic mixture into crisp lettuce leaves, creating ready-to-serve wraps.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and additional green onions over the wraps. Present immediately, inviting diners to enjoy these vibrant, flavor-packed teriyaki chicken lettuce wraps.
Notes
- Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumpy teriyaki sauce, stirring continuously during thickening to achieve smooth, glossy texture.
- Optimize Chicken Browning: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet, allowing ground chicken to develop deep golden-brown color and enhance overall flavor complexity.
- Manage Lettuce Freshness: Select crisp, sturdy lettuce leaves like iceberg or butter lettuce, washing and drying completely to prevent soggy wraps and maintain structural integrity.
- Customize Dietary Adaptations: Replace ground chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for vegetarian version, use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free alternative, and adjust sesame oil quantity for lower-fat preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg