Imitation Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Fresh, light, and packed with flavor, this recipe features ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and earthy shiitake mushrooms, all wrapped in crisp romaine lettuce leaves.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 1 tbsp sesame oil For cooking the chicken
- 1 lb ground chicken Main protein for the filling
- 1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, drained and diced Adds crunch to the filling
- 3 oz shiitake mushrooms, diced Earthy addition to the filling
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced For garnish and crunch
- 1 head romaine lettuce, leaves washed Serves as the wrap
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce Adds sweetness
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce To balance the flavors
- 1 tbsp regular soy sauce To add umami
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar Provides acidity
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil For flavor
- 2 tsp fresh grated ginger For warmth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced Essential for flavor
- 1 shallot, diced Adds sweetness and depth
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground chicken and break it apart with a wooden spoon, cooking until browned and cooked through.
- Once browned, add the diced shallot, minced garlic, and grated ginger, stirring until the shallots are translucent and garlic is aromatic.
- Fold in the diced shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts, cooking for a few minutes until the mushrooms soften.
- Add hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, regular soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Stir to coat the mixture evenly.
- Toss in the thinly sliced scallions and stir just until mixed through.
Serving
- Spoon the chicken mixture into the prepared romaine lettuce leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
Store leftover filling separate from lettuce. Use larger leaves for filling and smaller ones for appetizers. Can add crushed red pepper for heat or bell peppers for crunch.