Spicy Minced Chicken and Water Chestnut Lettuce Wraps

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These Spicy Minced Chicken and Water Chestnut Lettuce Wraps are so delicious and packed with big flavor and so easy to make.

Happy Chinese New Year! Looking for something yummy and healthy to celebrate? Instead of going out for Chinese or ordering take-out, make these simple and tasty Spicy Minced Chicken and Water Chestnut Lettuce Wraps.

I found this recipe in The Oregonian Cookbook. One of the many cookbooks that I have found while out “treasure hunting” at Estate Sales.

And what a treasure it is! This book is chock -full of so many delicious recipes.

If you have never been “treasure hunting”, I highly recommend it. I think that I payed a total of $3.00 for three cookbooks. Score!

This recipe is so simple and easy. And you can make the filling up to 3 days ahead of time. Just reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick and easy meal after a long day at work.

Yum!

Spicy Minced Chicken and Water Chestnut Lettuce Wraps:

• About 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, partially frozen (This makes chopping the meat easier)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
• 2 scallions, sliced, green and white parts divided
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup finely chopped water chestnuts
• 2 teaspoons chili oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 head bibb lettuce

Finely chop the chicken thighs until they are a little coarser than ground beef. Heat the oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic, ginger and white part of the scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, 20 seconds. Add the chicken and stir-fry until chicken is opaque and cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium; add green part of the scallions, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, water chestnuts and chili oil; stir-fry for 1 minute. Pour the chicken mixture into a serving bowl and fold in the cilantro.

Separate the leaves from the head of lettuce and wash thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. Tear the largest leaves in half lengthwise. Fill leaves with chicken mixture and drizzle with chili sauce, and eat them taco style.

Garnishes: Shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, thinly sliced radish.

Spicy Minced Chicken and Water Chestnut Lettuce Wraps:

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Author: The Oregonian Cookbook

Ingredients

• About 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, partially frozen (This makes chopping the meat easier)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon peeled and minced ginger
• 2 scallions sliced, green and white parts divided
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup finely chopped water chestnuts
• 2 teaspoons chili oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 head bibb lettuce

Instructions

Finely chop the chicken thighs until they are a little coarser than ground beef. Heat the oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic, ginger and white part of the scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, 20 seconds. Add the chicken and stir-fry until chicken is opaque and cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium; add green part of the scallions, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, water chestnuts and chili oil; stir-fry for 1 minute. Pour the chicken mixture into a serving bowl and fold in the cilantro.

Separate the leaves from the head of lettuce and wash thoroughly. Pat dry with paper towels. Tear the largest leaves in half lengthwise. Fill leaves with chicken mixture and drizzle with chili sauce, and eat them taco style.

Notes

Garnishes: Shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, thinly sliced radish.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipe from: Ivy Manning, Foodday contributor

Enjoy!

Looking for more delicious recipes? Check these out: Thai Fried Rice and Cambodian BBQ Meatballs with Coconut Jasmine Rice.