Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Quick & Flavorful Spicy Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups are a light and flavorful appetizer or snack. The chicken is spicy, tangy, and can be served with avocado and lime wedges. Spicy Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups are a great way to enjoy Asian flavors in a fresh and healthy way.

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Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Thai

Keyword: breakfast, healthy, lettuce, wraps

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 30

Servings: lettuce cups

Calories: 127kcal

Equipment

Sauce Pan

Ingredients

2 pounds of ground chicken (or pork) not all breast meat
1 large head of butter lettuce
1 Stalk of lemon grass Tough outer skin removed
1 large red onion chopped
2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh ginger
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce use gluten-free if needed
3 tablespoons of fish sauce *Thai fish sauce is best
1/4 cup of light or dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons of lime zest
3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
2 large scallions white and green parts, finely sliced
1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup of chopped cashews or peanuts
Optional for serving: Sriracha finely sliced carrots, more herbs
2 tsp. sambal oelek or Chinese chile-garlic sauce

Instructions

If using butter lettuce: gently pull off the outer leaves and rinse them under cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels and arrange them on a large platter. Save the inner leaves for another use, or chop them and add them to the filling.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute, stirring constantly.
Add the ground chicken and use a wooden spoon to break the meat apart. Cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime zest, lime juice, diced lemongrass, and red pepper flakes, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
Off the heat, stir in the scallions, cilantro, mint, and nuts. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, sugar, lime juice, or red pepper flakes as desired.
Spoon the chicken mixture into the lettuce cups and serve with Sriracha or sambal, carrots, and more herbs if desired. Enjoy!

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