What is lettuce wrap sauce made of?

The sauce is a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, aji mirin (rice wine), hoisin sauce, sugar, and a bit of cornstarch . You can find most of these ingredients on the Asian section of your grocery store. I found the aji mirin in the vinegar section. Aji mirin is a sweetened rice wine.

What is the best lettuce for lettuce wraps?

You can use any type of green leafy lettuce for lettuce wraps, but popular types of lettuce include Boston bib lettuce and romaine hearts .

Are lettuce wraps healthy for weight loss?

Wraps are a simple and easy lunch option that have the potential to be super healthy. Making your own wrap ensures that you control the ingredients and create a diet-friendly meal that you can feel good about eating. Swapping a carb-heavy tortilla with lettuce is a great way to save on calories and carbs .

How do you crisp lettuce for lettuce wraps?

Fill a large bowl with very hot tap water (around 120°F) and plunge your wilted greens. Let them soak for 10–30 minutes, then drain. Wrap the leaves in a damp towel and chill before using (or if you need them immediately, cool them down in ice water). They'll be perkier than a Pomeranian with a plushie.

What is chicken lettuce wraps made of?

Tips For Making Chicken Lettuce Wraps Use ground chicken, or mince chicken breasts or thighs for the filling . Round out the filling with some diced mushrooms, water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger. Use Bibb or butter lettuce with small heads and fresh outer leaves.

How do you keep chicken salad wraps from getting soggy?

Start by placing a layer of greens on the wrap to act as a barrier between the fillings and the wrap itself . You can use lettuce, spinach or other types of greens. They will also help prevent the wrap from becoming soggy. Next, layer the other ingredients on top of the greens and finish it off with the chicken.

What are the ingredients in Lee Kum Kee lettuce wrap sauce?

Water, sugar, soybean oil, sesame oil, salt, sweet potato powder, modified corn starch, rice vinegar, contains less than 2% of soybeans, spices, dehydrated garlic, wheat flour, sesame paste, caramel color, yeast extract, chili peppers, safflower oil, xanthan gum, natural flavors (milk), cultured dextrose, maltodextrin.

What is hoisin sauce made of?

Ingredients. The key ingredient of hoisin sauce is fermented soybean paste . Some hoisin sauce ingredients include starches such as sweet potato, wheat and rice, and water, sugar, soybeans, sesame seeds, white distilled vinegar, salt, garlic, red chili peppers, and sometimes preservatives or coloring agents.

What is McDonald's wrap made of?

A piece of crispy coated chicken with spicy mayo, lettuce and cheese , in a warm tortilla wrap. A delicious snack, every time.

Spicy Braised Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Braise

by: Ella Quittner

December4,2018

4.5

19 Ratings

Spicy Braised Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe on Food52 (1)

Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 35 minutes
Serves 2 or more

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

Meet my new favorite go-to weeknight dinner. It's saucy, flavorful, fresh, and it comes together in about half an hour. I developed these chicken and lettuce wraps while on Whole 30, so they fit that bill if you need 'em to. Or, feel free to swap the toppings for anything you like—crispy rice would be wonderful. So would almost any herb, pickle, or thinly sliced vegetable. Winner, winner, braised-chicken-thigh dinner. —Ella Quittner

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: . —The Editors

Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Watch This Recipe

Spicy Braised Chicken LettuceWrap

Ingredients

Chicken and creamy avocado vinaigrette
1 poundboneless skinless chicken thighs (about 5 thighs)
2 ¹/₂ teaspoonskosher salt, plus more to taste
¹/₄ cupolive oil, divided, plus more as needed
¹/₂ teaspoonHungarian hot paprika (use less if you prefer milder spice)
¹/₂ teaspooncayenne pepper (use less if you prefer milder spice)
1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 cupcanned tomato puree (if you're following Whole 30, look for a brand that’s just tomatoes, no sugar)
1 tablespoonplus 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
1 avocado, ripe
1 tablespoonfresh-squeezed lime juice
¹/₄ cupwarm water, plus more as needed
2 tablespoonsroughly chopped green herbs (like cilantro, chives) and/or green onions

Lettuce cups and toppings (feel free to sub in any favorites)
1 head Bibb or butter lettuce, rinsed and separated into lettuce cups
1 avocado, sliced into thin wedges, for garnish
1 lime, cut into wedges
2 radishes, sliced thinly on a mandoline or by hand
¹/₂ cupshredded cabbage

Directions

Rub the chicken thighs all over with 2 teaspoons of salt. In a non-reactive Dutch oven over a medium flame, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken thighs and sear thoroughly on both sides to brown. Make a well in the center of the pan by pushing the chicken to the edges, and add the paprika and cayenne. Let the spices toast for 30 seconds, then add the onion and garlic pieces. Stir to distribute and sauté for a few minutes, until the onions begin to turn translucent.
Add the tomato puree and 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cover. Let simmer for about 25 minutes, or until you can easily shred the chicken with two forks. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Shred and let cool slightly. Meanwhile, as the chicken cooks, prepare the other components.
Make the creamy avocado vinaigrette: In a food processor, blend together 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 cup warm water, and 2 tablespoons herbs until fully smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and lime juice. Adjust consistency with additional warm water to thin, as needed—you should be able to drizzle (or squeeze bottle) the vinaigrette over the lettuce wraps, and have it hold its shape.
To serve, assemble individual cups with the saucy, shredded chicken, avocado vinaigrette, and toppings, using the lettuce as shells.

Popular on Food52

13 Reviews

Susan L. October 1, 2020

We really liked the ease and flavor of these wraps. The chicken was tasty just with rice, too (as my daughter ate it). Creamy avocado sauce is delicious. Will be making again!

Jb454 September 1, 2020

Similar to previous reviewer- not sure what the hype is around these. They were fine. Probably won’t make again

Wendy W. August 28, 2020

I made these last night, and was not all that impressed. I did like the avocado dressing, but I likely won't make the chicken again.

Alisa L. October 9, 2019

These are now a repeat in my rotation. So easy and flavorful.

Molly September 12, 2019

So easy, and so flavorful. Definitely going on repeat!

January 21, 2019

Made this tonight for myself. My husband was having a filet and smashed potatoes. After tasting this, he abandoned his filet and ate this!!! We loved it! This recipe has earned a spot in our dinner party menu's. If anyone has suggestions for a lettuce wrap alternative I'm all ears!!

Sophia December 27, 2018

Just made this and it was unreal! So easy to put together. So happy I got around to making it! Super tasty and FILLING!

Ella Q. December 30, 2018

Hi Sophia,

So happy to hear it!

Ella

Victoria A. December 17, 2018

By far the best Whole30 recipe I've had! Tasted amazing and came together super fast. New staple in our dinner rotation.

Ella Q. December 17, 2018

Hi Victoria,

I'm so, so happy to hear that! Thank you for the nice note.

Ella

melissapage December 11, 2018

I made this for dinner tonight. So good!! This will be part of the weeknight rotation now. Thank you!

Ella Q. December 11, 2018

So happy you enjoyed it, Melissa!

Teresa E. August 1, 2020

Hi Ella, how long will the ving last?