Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Cups

$- 1 lb ground chicken - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 inch piece of ginger, grated - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1 carrot, grated - ¼ cup green onions, chopped - ¼ cup sweet chili sauce - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Butter lettuce leaves, for serving - Sesame seeds, for garnish You can add more flavor with various garnishes. Consider using: - Fresh cilantro - Chopped peanuts - Lime wedges Each serving of these Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Cups is about 300 calories. They pack protein from the chicken and vitamins from the veggies. You get healthy fats from sesame oil and a bit of sweetness from the sauce. The lettuce wraps are low in carbs, making them a great choice for various diets. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Gather all your ingredients. You need ground chicken, garlic, ginger, and more. 2. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. This brings out their flavors. 3. Dice the red bell pepper and grate the carrot. These add color and crunch. 4. Chop half of the green onions. Save the rest for garnish. 5. Rinse the butter lettuce leaves. Pat them dry to keep them crisp. 1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute. 3. Add ground chicken. Break it apart with a spatula. Cook for 4-5 minutes. 4. Stir in diced red bell pepper, grated carrot, and half the green onions. 5. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the veggies are tender. 6. In a small bowl, mix sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 7. Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir well to coat. 8. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes on low heat. Let the flavors meld. 9. Remove the skillet from heat. Let the mixture cool slightly. 1. Spoon a generous amount of the sweet chili chicken into each butter lettuce leaf. 2. Garnish with remaining green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. 3. Enjoy your tasty lettuce cups as a fresh finger food. For sweet chili chicken, use ground chicken. It cooks quickly and stays juicy. Start by heating vegetable oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the oil. Sauté these for about one minute. This step builds a great base flavor. Then, add the ground chicken. Use a spatula to break it apart. Cook until it’s browned and fully cooked through, which takes about four to five minutes. Stir in diced red bell pepper and grated carrot next. Keep cooking for three to four minutes. This softens the veggies and adds texture. Lastly, pour your sauce over the chicken mixture and let it simmer for two to three minutes. This step blends all the flavors well. When picking lettuce for your cups, look for butter lettuce. It has a soft, tender leaf. Check for bright green color and no brown spots. Fresh lettuce should feel crisp when you touch it. Avoid limp or wilting leaves. If you find a head of lettuce with tightly packed leaves, that’s a good sign. This means it is fresh and crunchy, perfect for holding your chicken mixture. Remember, fresh lettuce makes your dish look and taste better! One common mistake is overcooking the chicken. Keep an eye on the time to prevent dryness. Another mistake is using wilted lettuce. Always choose fresh, crisp leaves. Also, don’t skip the simmering step for the sauce. This helps the flavors blend and enhances the taste. Lastly, be careful with salt. The soy sauce adds saltiness, so taste before adding more. Avoid these mistakes to make your sweet chili chicken lettuce cups shine! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs enhance the flavor and texture of your lettuce cups, making them more vibrant and enjoyable. Adjust the Sauce: Feel free to customize the sweet chili sauce by adding more soy sauce for saltiness or additional chili for heat, depending on your taste preference. Experiment with Proteins: While ground chicken is delicious, you can substitute it with ground turkey, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Make Ahead: Prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just assemble the lettuce cups when you're ready to serve! {{image_2}} You can swap out ground chicken for other proteins. Try ground turkey for a leaner option. It keeps the dish light and tasty. Tofu is great if you want a vegetarian meal. Just crumble firm tofu into the skillet. Cook it until it's golden brown. Both options work well with sweet chili sauce. You can add more flavor to your sweet chili chicken. Try adding crushed red pepper for some heat. A dash of garlic powder gives a nice kick, too. You can also mix in hoisin sauce for a sweeter taste. It adds depth to the dish. Don't forget to taste as you go. This way, you can adjust the flavors to your liking! The veggies in this recipe add color and crunch. You can mix and match them based on your taste. Try using zucchini or cucumber for a fresh twist. Shredded cabbage is another fun option. It adds a nice crunch and pairs well with the sauce. Feel free to get creative! The more colorful the plate, the more fun your meal will be. After making Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Cups, you can store them in the fridge. Place the chicken mixture in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to three days. Keep the lettuce leaves separate to maintain their crispness. You can freeze the chicken filling for later use. Let it cool completely before packing. Use a freezer-safe container or bag. It can last up to three months in the freezer. Just remember to label the container with the date. To reheat, thaw the chicken mixture in the fridge overnight. Warm it in a pan over low heat. Stir until it is heated through. You can also use the microwave; heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Always serve it with fresh lettuce for the best taste! Yes, you can make the filling ahead. Cook the chicken and veggies, then cool them. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to serve, just scoop it into the lettuce cups. This saves time and keeps the meal fresh. These cups work great as a light meal or appetizer. You can pair them with rice or quinoa for a full meal. Serve with a side of fresh fruit for a sweet touch. Spring rolls or a light salad also make nice sides. Yes, this recipe can be gluten-free with a few swaps. Use gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular. Always check your sweet chili sauce for gluten. Most brands are safe, but it's good to verify. You learned about the key ingredients, preparation steps, and tips for making Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Cups. We covered variations and storage options to suit your needs. Remember to pick fresh ingredients and avoid common cooking mistakes for the best taste. This dish is easy to make and fun to share. With these tips, you'll impress your friends and family. Enjoy your cooking journey and have fun with this tasty recipe!$

Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Cups

A fresh and flavorful dish featuring ground chicken and vegetables served in lettuce cups.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb ground chicken
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch piece ginger, grated
1 red bell pepper diced
1 carrot grated
0.25 cup green onions, chopped
0.25 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
to taste salt and pepper
as needed butter lettuce leaves, for serving
for garnish sesame seeds

Instructions

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until it's browned and fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
Stir in the diced red bell pepper, grated carrot, and half of the chopped green onions. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
In a small bowl, mix together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture, stirring well to coat. Allow it to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes on low heat, letting the flavors meld together.
Remove the skillet from heat and let it cool slightly.
To serve, spoon a generous amount of the sweet chili chicken mixture into each butter lettuce leaf. Garnish with remaining green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Enjoy as a fresh and flavorful finger food!

Notes

Enjoy as a fresh and flavorful finger food!

Keyword appetizer, chicken, lettuce cups, sweet chili