Description
These Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a light, easy, and delicious meal option featuring ground chicken cooked in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce, served fresh in crisp lettuce leaves. Perfect for a quick Asian-inspired dinner or healthy lunch, this recipe balances savory, sweet, and tangy notes with fresh veggies and a satisfying protein punch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken or finely chopped chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped water chestnuts (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
To Serve
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves for wrapping
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Extra green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spatula, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the flavor.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, and sesame oil to create the teriyaki sauce.
- Combine Sauce and Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the browned chicken and stir well to coat all the meat evenly.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in shredded carrots, chopped water chestnuts (if using), and sliced green onions into the skillet.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly and the mixture is heated through.
- Assemble Wraps: Remove the skillet from heat. Spoon the teriyaki chicken mixture into individual butter lettuce or romaine leaves.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and extra green onions if desired. Serve immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- These wraps are great for meal prep. Store the filling separately in an airtight container and assemble just before eating to keep lettuce crisp.
- Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or tofu for a protein variation that suits your preference.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust sweetness or saltiness by modifying the amount of honey or soy sauce according to taste.
