Spicy Asian Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Could the name of this dish be any longer?? t was a “clear out the refrigerator” kind of a night! I know, I know - lettuce wraps are commonly made with some type of ground meat, sauce, and butter lettuce. But with this recipe, I used what I already had to prevent food waste, and they still came out amazing! The sauce is what really makes it great!
Serves: 2-4
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Ingredients for Sauce:
1/2 - 1 Cup Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
1-2 TBSP each of the following: Soy Sauce, White Rice Vinegar, Sriracha
2 TSP Sesame Oil
2 TSP Minced Garlic
2 TSP Crushed Ginger
Pro Tip: Taste as you go! If you like sweeter sauce, go heavier on the Thai Chili. Salty or Spicy - heavier on the soy sauce or Sriracha!
Ingredients for Chicken:
2 Large Chicken Breasts
2 TSP Red Pepper Flakes
2 TSP Sesame Oil
2 TSP Minced Garlic
2 TSP Crushed Ginger
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Cup Cashew Nuts
Other Ingredients Used:
Romaine Lettuce
About 1 Cup each of the following: Carrots, Celery, Water Chestnuts
Sesame Seeds
Instructions:
Combine and mix all of the sauce ingredients in to a bowl and set aside
Dice the chicken breast (size doesn’t really matter at this point)
Season chicken with sesame oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, salt & pepper
In a large pan or Wok, heat oil on medium-high heat (I used a little olive oil and sesame oil)
Add in chicken and cook through
While chicken is cooking, dice up your carrots, celery and water chestnuts - combine in a bowl and set aside
When chicken is cooked, remove from pan and place on to large cutting board
Here, you’ll chop up your chicken in to very small pieces!
Typically, Asian Wraps are made with ground meat, but I used chicken breast since I had it! It was more flavorful and juicy in my opinion!
In the same pan, add in your cashews and cook until lightly toasted (about 1-2 minutes)
Then add your finely diced chicken back in to your pan, along with your sauce (Pro Tip: Reserve some sauce on the side to top your wraps!)
Once chicken is coated and caramelized with sauce, remove and set aside
In the same pan, add your chopped veggies - season with salt & pepper. I only cook these for about two minutes because I like my veggies crunchy! Remove and set aside.
Now you’re ready to assemble your wraps! In a romaine lettuce leaf, add in your cashew chicken, veggie mixture, and top with more sauce, sesame seeds, and make it your own!
Remember: Measurements are just a suggestion! Kick up that heat with the Sriracha or red pepper flakes! Much love and happy cooking.