Description
These Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a quick and flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken cooked to perfection and served in crisp butter lettuce cups. With a savory-sweet marinade enhanced by chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of brown sugar, they make a light yet satisfying meal that's perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced into strips
- 2 tsp avocado oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Wrap and Toppings
- 1-2 heads of butter lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced on diagonal or 2-3 mini cucumbers
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced on diagonal
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Lime wedges, to serve (optional)
- Sweet chili sauce, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Add the thinly sliced chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight to deepen the flavors.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken along with the marinade to the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking in batches if necessary. Once cooked, sprinkle the chicken evenly with toasted sesame seeds.
- Assemble the lettuce wraps: Take a butter lettuce leaf and add a portion of cooked chicken. Top with thinly sliced cucumbers, green onions, and fresh cilantro leaves. If desired, drizzle with sweet chili sauce and serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of tangy flavor.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight will enhance the flavor but a minimum of 1 hour is sufficient if you’re short on time.
- If you prefer a spicier wrap, add extra chili garlic sauce or a dash of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Butter lettuce works best for wraps due to its pliability and mild flavor, but romaine or iceberg can be substituted as needed.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and check that your chili garlic sauce is gluten-free.
