Tasty Tuesday - Thai Minced Chicken Lettuce Wraps

We recently tried a new recipe that I wanted to share. It is from Once Upon a Chef where I have found several delicious recipes. My kiddos thought it was a bit too spicy, but they have started to not want to try new foods. They probably tasted it with the mindset they weren't going to like it. My husband and I thought it was good enough to add to our recipe collection to use for the future. We did not think it was too spicy.

The recipe took a little time getting things prepped, but it was all pretty straightforward. I made a few changes. I didn't add the fish sauce since I did not have any. I also used 4 chicken breasts that I finely chopped up after cooking since I dd not have ground chicken either. 

Thai Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups

By Jennifer Segal

Servings: 4

Total Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 large head iceberg or butter lettuce
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger (you'll need a thick 2-inch piece)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds ground chicken (not all breast meat)
• 1-1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce (see note*)
• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons lime zest, from 2 limes
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, from 1-1/2 limes
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 large scallions, white and green parts, finely sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup chopped cashews or peanuts

Optional For Serving

• Sriracha
• Finely sliced carrots
• Lime wedges
• Cilantro and/or mint sprigs

Instructions

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Place the head of lettuce on a cutting board; cut off the stem, then cut around the inner core of the lettuce and remove (do not cut all the way through the lettuce; just deep enough to remove the core). Discard the flimsy, ragged outer leaves and then place the head of lettuce in the bowl of water. Gently pull apart the leaves, then place them on a paper towel to dry. Cut any large leaves in half. Chill the lettuce cups in refrigerator until ready to serve.
2. Heat the oil in large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
3. Add the ground chicken and turn the heat up to high. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until partially cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime zest, lime juice and red pepper flakes and continue cooking, stirring frequently to break up the meat, until the chicken is cooked through, 5-6 minutes more. Off the heat, stir in the scallions, cilantro, mint and nuts. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Spoon into lettuce cups and serve with optional garnishes.