Spicy Asian Chicken & Mushroom Lettuce Wraps
These Spicy Asian Chicken & Mushroom Lettuce Wraps are a delightful blend of textures and flavors. Each wrap features a savory filling made with ground chicken or turkey, enriched with a medley of fresh vegetables and a zesty sauce that brings everything together. The crisp iceberg lettuce provides the perfect vessel for this delectable mixture, creating a light yet satisfying meal that's both fun to eat and perfect for sharing. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful appetizer for your next gathering, these wraps are sure to impress. Plus, they’re an excellent way to utilize leftover cooked rice as a delightful addition to the filling!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chicken or turkey
1 1/2 lbs (mixture of dark and white meat)
oil
1 teaspoon (for cooking)
dried chili pepper flakes
1-2 teaspoons (optional, for extra heat)
minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons (freshly minced)
minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon (freshly minced or more to taste)
white button mushrooms
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
water chestnuts
1 (8 ounce) can (drained and finely chopped)
teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup (for seasoning)
reduced-fat peanut butter
3 tablespoons (for flavor)
sesame oil
1 tablespoon (for flavor)
rice vinegar
1 tablespoon (for flavor)
hoisin sauce
1/4 cup (mix into the filling)
green onions
2 (finely chopped)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
iceberg lettuce
1 head (separated into leaves (or use a package of crispy lettuce wraps))
hoisin sauce
for dipping (additional sauce for serving)
Instructions
1
Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken or turkey, dried chili flakes (if using), minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the finely chopped water chestnuts, teriyaki sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and hoisin sauce. Cook the mixture for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together, and stir constantly to combine all the ingredients well.
3
Incorporate the chopped green onions into the mixture and cook for about 1 minute more. Season the filling with salt and black pepper to taste.
4
To serve, spoon a generous amount of the filling into the center of a lettuce leaf. Roll the leaf tightly around the filling, forming a wrap.
5
Serve the lettuce wraps immediately with additional hoisin sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy this healthy and flavorful dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Asian Chicken & Mushroom Lettuce Wraps?
They are a savory meal or appetizer featuring a filling of ground chicken or turkey, mushrooms, and water chestnuts cooked in a zesty Asian-inspired sauce and served in crisp iceberg lettuce leaves.
Which meats can be used for the filling?
You can use 1 1/2 lbs of either ground chicken or ground turkey. A mixture of dark and white meat is recommended for the best flavor.
How do I make the lettuce wraps spicy?
The heat comes from adding 1-2 teaspoons of dried chili pepper flakes during the cooking process.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of chopped white button mushrooms.
How should the water chestnuts be prepared?
Use one 8-ounce can of water chestnuts, ensuring they are drained and finely chopped before adding them to the skillet.
What ingredients are in the zesty sauce?
The sauce is made from a combination of teriyaki sauce, hoisin sauce, reduced-fat peanut butter, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
What type of lettuce is best for these wraps?
One head of iceberg lettuce is recommended because it provides a crisp texture and a natural cup shape for the filling.
Can I add rice to this recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding leftover cooked rice to the filling as a delightful way to bulk up the meal.
How long does it take to cook the meat mixture?
The meat takes about 5 minutes to cook until no longer pink, followed by another 3-4 minutes once the sauces are added.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as gluten-free, though you should always verify that your specific brands of hoisin and teriyaki sauce are gluten-free.
Is there a recommended dipping sauce?
The recipe recommends serving the wraps with additional hoisin sauce on the side for dipping.
How much garlic and ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of freshly minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of freshly minced ginger.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, the chicken and mushroom filling can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, then served in fresh lettuce leaves when ready to eat.
What role does peanut butter play in the recipe?
Three tablespoons of reduced-fat peanut butter are used to add richness and a nutty depth of flavor to the sauce.
Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes, by using lettuce leaves instead of tortillas or buns, this dish is naturally low in carbohydrates.
When do I add the green onions?
The finely chopped green onions are added at the very end of the cooking process and cooked for about 1 minute.
How do I assemble the wraps?
Spoon a generous amount of filling into the center of a lettuce leaf and roll the leaf tightly around the mixture.
What is the primary cooking method used?
The filling is prepared by sautéing ingredients in a large skillet over medium heat.
Can I adjust the amount of ginger?
Yes, you can use 1 tablespoon of minced ginger or more if you prefer a stronger ginger taste.
Are these wraps suitable as an appetizer?
Yes, they are highly recommended as a flavorful appetizer for gatherings or parties.
What can I substitute for iceberg lettuce?
While iceberg is recommended, you can also use a package of pre-cut crispy lettuce wraps or other sturdy leafy greens.
How much oil is needed for cooking?
Only 1 teaspoon of oil is needed to start the cooking process in the skillet.
Should the meat be cooked before adding vegetables?
The meat, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and chili flakes are all added to the skillet at the same time and cooked together.
Is sesame oil used for cooking or flavoring?
One tablespoon of sesame oil is added with the sauces to provide a signature toasted flavor to the filling.
How do I season the final mixture?
Once the filling is cooked and the green onions are added, season with salt and black pepper to your personal taste.
How much teriyaki sauce is used?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of teriyaki sauce to be stirred into the meat mixture.
What is the texture of the filling?
The filling is a blend of tender ground meat, soft mushrooms, and crunchy water chestnuts.
Are these wraps served hot or cold?
The filling is served hot, immediately after cooking, inside cold, crisp lettuce leaves.
How many green onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 finely chopped green onions.
Can I make this recipe in a wok?
Yes, a large skillet or a wok would work perfectly for stirring and combining these ingredients over medium heat.