Spicy Sriracha Chicken Lettuce Tacos
Delight in the bold flavors of these Spicy Sriracha Chicken Lettuce Tacos, a perfect fusion of tender grilled chicken infused with a zesty marinade. The combination of sriracha, garlic, and Korean flavor elements creates a delightful taste explosion in every bite. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves and topped with refreshing cilantro, grilled green onions, and an extra drizzle of sriracha, these wraps are not just a meal; they're an experience. Ideal for a quick lunch, a nutritious dinner, or an enjoyable appetizer at parties, these tacos let you savor flavor without the carbs. Get ready to impress your guests while indulging in healthy eating!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
mirin
1 tablespoon (none)
soy sauce
4 tablespoons (none)
agave nectar or sugar
3 tablespoons (none)
sriracha sauce
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Korean red pepper paste
1 tablespoon (or substitute with tomato paste)
white miso
1 tablespoon (none)
Korean red pepper powder
1 teaspoon (to taste)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
sesame oil
1 teaspoon (none)
canola or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (for grilling)
fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped, for garnish)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 1/4 lbs (for marinade)
butter lettuce
1 head (separated into leaves)
whole cilantro
1 small handful (chopped, for garnish)
green onions
4-6 (green parts only, tossed with oil, salt & pepper)
toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
additional sriracha sauce
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Prepare the marinade by combining rice wine vinegar, mirin, soy sauce, agave nectar, sriracha, Korean red pepper paste, white miso, Korean red pepper powder, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
2
Pour the marinade into a large ziplock bag and add the boneless skinless chicken thighs. Ensure the chicken is well-coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
3
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
4
Once the grill is ready, place the marinated chicken thighs on the hot grates, aiming to keep as much marinade on them as possible for caramelization. Grill the thighs for about 2 minutes, then rotate them 45 degrees to create grill marks and cook for another 2 minutes.
5
Flip the chicken thighs and repeat the process for an additional 8 minutes in total, ensuring both sides have beautiful char marks and are cooked through.
6
About 3 minutes before the chicken thighs are done, place the prepared green onions on the grill and allow them to char slightly.
7
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes. After resting, slice the chicken against the grain into strips.
8
To assemble the wraps, take a lettuce leaf, add a generous portion of sliced chicken, sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro, top with grilled green onions, and drizzle with extra sriracha for that extra kick.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Sriracha Chicken Lettuce Tacos?
They are a fusion dish featuring grilled chicken marinated in sriracha, garlic, and Korean flavors, served in butter lettuce leaves.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
You should marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, though refrigerating it overnight is preferred for maximum flavor.
What are the main components of the marinade?
The marinade includes rice wine vinegar, mirin, soy sauce, agave nectar, sriracha, Korean red pepper paste, white miso, red pepper powder, garlic, and sesame oil.
Can I use sugar instead of agave nectar?
Yes, you can substitute agave nectar with an equal amount of sugar.
What is a substitute for Korean red pepper paste?
You can substitute Korean red pepper paste with tomato paste if needed.
How should I prepare the grill?
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
How long does the chicken take to grill?
The chicken takes about 8 to 12 minutes in total, flipping halfway through to ensure char marks and thorough cooking.
Why should I rotate the chicken 45 degrees while grilling?
Rotating the chicken helps create professional-looking crosshatch grill marks.
When do I add the green onions to the grill?
Place the green onions on the grill about 3 minutes before the chicken is finished cooking.
How long should the chicken rest after grilling?
Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes after removing it from the grill to keep it juicy.
How should the chicken be sliced?
The chicken should be sliced against the grain into thin strips.
What type of lettuce is recommended for these tacos?
Butter lettuce is recommended because its leaves are the perfect shape and texture for wraps.
Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes, by using lettuce leaves instead of tortillas, these tacos are a great low-carb meal option.
How do I assemble the lettuce wraps?
Take a lettuce leaf, add sliced chicken, sprinkle with cilantro, top with a grilled green onion, and drizzle with extra sriracha.
What garnishes can I use?
Suggested garnishes include fresh chopped cilantro, grilled green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and extra sriracha.
What kind of miso is used?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of white miso.
What is the spice level of this dish?
It is spicy due to the sriracha and Korean red pepper elements, but you can adjust the sriracha and pepper powder to taste.
Can I serve these as appetizers?
Yes, these lettuce tacos make an excellent healthy appetizer for parties.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves.
What oil is best for grilling the chicken?
Canola or vegetable oil is recommended for oiling the grill grates.
How much soy sauce is in the marinade?
The marinade uses 4 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What part of the green onion is used?
The recipe uses the green parts only, tossed with oil, salt, and pepper.
Is mirin necessary for the recipe?
Mirin adds a distinct sweetness and depth to the Korean-inspired marinade.
How much sriracha is in the marinade?
The marinade uses 2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce, or more to taste.
Can I use chicken breast instead?
While thighs are recommended for flavor, you can use chicken breast, though you may need to adjust cooking time to avoid drying it out.
What provides the 'Korean flavor' in this recipe?
The combination of sesame oil, miso, Korean red pepper paste (gochujang), and Korean red pepper powder (gochugaru) provides the flavor.
Do I need to wash the lettuce?
Yes, separate the head of butter lettuce into leaves and rinse them thoroughly before serving.
Is sesame oil used for cooking or the marinade?
One teaspoon of sesame oil is used specifically within the marinade.
Can I make this dish for a quick lunch?
Yes, if you marinate the chicken in advance, the actual grilling and assembly take very little time.