Description
Zesty Mexican-inspired spicy chicken lettuce cups burst with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle seasoned chicken, creating a light, refreshing meal that satisfies you with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
Vegetables:
- 1 head butter lettuce
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced water chestnuts
- 1/4 cup (40 g) diced red bell pepper
- 2 green onions, chopped
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim chicken breast and dice into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and quick heat absorption.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken, cooking until golden brown and completely opaque throughout, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Drizzle soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and sesame oil over chicken, tossing to coat each piece evenly with the vibrant sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper, creating a complex and layered seasoning profile.
- Fold in diced water chestnuts and red bell peppers, allowing them to warm through and absorb the spicy sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and let the mixture rest for 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Carefully separate butter lettuce leaves, creating delicate cups for serving.
- Spoon the spicy chicken mixture into each lettuce cup, ensuring an even distribution.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a crisp, bright finish.
- Serve immediately while the filling remains warm and the lettuce cups are crisp.
Notes
- Uniform Chopping Matters: Dice chicken into precise, small cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture throughout the dish.
- Prevent Burning Technique: Keep garlic moving quickly in the pan to release maximum flavor without scorching, which can create bitter undertones.
- Low-Carb Friendly: Lettuce cups naturally transform this recipe into a keto-friendly meal, eliminating bread or wrapper carbohydrates while maintaining incredible taste.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust sriracha and red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, allowing everyone to customize their flavor intensity without compromising the recipe’s core profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg