Description
Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps deliver a delightful Asian-inspired meal packed with crunchy textures and zesty flavors. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle savory chicken, toasted cashews, and a tangy sauce that will transport your taste buds to culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 green onions, chopped, divided
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (16 grams) cornstarch
- 1 – 2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce, to taste
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) sesame oil or substitute canola oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Toppings and Garnish:
- ¾ cup (108 grams) unsalted cashews
- 1 head green leafy lettuce (romaine, bibb, or butter)
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
- Whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, minced fresh ginger, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch in a mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until oil shimmers slightly.
- Place seasoned chicken into hot skillet, spreading pieces evenly to promote uniform cooking and achieving a golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-6 minutes, flipping once midway to ensure complete cooking.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring quickly for 25-30 seconds to release aromatic oils without burning.
- Reduce heat to low and pour prepared sauce mixture over chicken, continuously stirring to help sauce thicken and coat each chicken piece evenly.
- Drizzle Sriracha hot sauce according to personal heat preference, gently mixing to distribute spiciness throughout the dish.
- Fold roasted cashews and most of the sliced green onions into the chicken mixture, reserving a portion for garnishing.
- Transfer warm chicken mixture into crisp, chilled lettuce cups, topping with remaining green onions for a fresh, vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Prep ahead: Chop all ingredients before starting to cook for smooth, quick execution.
- Sauce magic: Mix sauce ingredients separately to ensure even distribution and rich flavor development.
- Chicken cooking tip: Use medium heat and flip only once to achieve perfect golden-brown exterior.
- Cornstarch secret: Helps thicken sauce and creates glossy, restaurant-style coating on chicken.
- Spice control: Add Sriracha gradually to adjust heat level according to personal preference.
- Serving suggestion: Crisp lettuce cups provide a fresh, light alternative to traditional wraps, making this dish both delicious and healthier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American-Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg