Description
This Easy Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe offers a flavorful and nutritious meal that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Tender chicken breasts are sautéed with fresh vegetables, garlic, and a delicious blend of soy, maple syrup, orange marmalade, and hoisin sauce. Served in crisp bibb or Boston butter lettuce leaves and garnished with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and crunchy cashews, these wraps provide a delightful combination of textures and flavors that are both satisfying and health-conscious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1/2 cup cashews, plus a few extra for garnish if desired
- 10 lettuce leaves (Bibb or Boston butter lettuces)
- 2 small tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the low-sodium soy sauce, pure maple syrup, orange marmalade, and hoisin sauce. Mix well and set aside. Note that the marmalade may not fully blend at this stage but will incorporate during cooking.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and shredded carrots, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
- Cook the chicken and garlic: Add the minced garlic and boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces) to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Cook while stirring frequently for 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through.
- Add the sauce and cashews: Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce starts to bubble, about 1 minute. Stir in the cashews and cook just until heated through. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the wraps: Spoon about one-quarter cup of the chicken mixture onto each lettuce leaf. Top with finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and garnish with extra cashews if desired. Serve immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use Bibb or Boston butter lettuce for the best wrap texture and flavor.
- For a nut-free version, omit cashews or substitute with toasted seeds.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by modifying the amount of maple syrup and orange marmalade according to your taste.
- Ensure the chicken is cut into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Serve these wraps immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
