Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps {Just Like the Restaurants!}

Hubby and I are cheap-skates when we go out to eat ... we're always on the lookout for deals and steals for our date nights! So we were thrilled when we discovered happy hour for appetizers and small plates at a local restaurant (with food we actually enjoyed!) ... and even more ecstatic when I figured out how to duplicate this dripping-with-flavor dish at home!

A few alterations later, we created this beautiful dish...

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

asian chicken lettuce wraps 1.jpg

Here's how to make it!

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce (make homemade or use low-sodium version)

  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy is our fave choice!)

  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled & finely grated or minced

  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken (I use the mild Italian one in grocery store - you can also use ground turkey)

  • 1/2 cup green onion, diced

  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced

  • 1 can water chestnuts, drained and finely minced

  • 1/2 cup pine nuts (optional)

  • 1/2 block firm tofu, drained & briefly seared, then diced into small pieces

  • 1/2 cup fresh Baby Bella mushrooms, roughly diced

  • 1 head living or butter lettuce

Garnish:

  • Shredded purple cabbage

  • Diced green onions

  • Shredded fresh organic carrots

 

Instructions:

  1. Combine first 4 ingredients in bowl, whisk together and set to the side.

  2. In a large, deep, skillet over medium heat, brown ground chicken in tsp oil. Once chicken is cooked, remove from pan and drain. Set aside for now.

  3. Using the same skillet, heat 2 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, water chestnuts, pine nuts, tofu and mushrooms together and saute for about 2 minutes.

  4. Add the chicken back in, and pour ½ the sauce mixture over the meat and vegetables. Cook all of it together, uncovered, for about 3 or 4 minutes.

  5. Serve the mixture in the “lettuce cups” and garnish with the shredded fresh veggies.

  6. Use the remainder of the sauce as a dipping sauce,  or to drizzle to taste over the lettuce cups!

 

What about you friend? What restaurant favorite have you enjoyed and then tweaked in your own kitchen at home? Tell us about it HERE, and maybe we'll feature it (and YOU!) on this blog! 
 

This recipe was originally found on Favorite Family Recipes (www.favfamilyrecipes.com) and changed in a few ways to reflect the FRESH Start-style!