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- 1 lb ground chicken - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1 teaspoon ginger, minced - 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped - 1 carrot, shredded - 1 cup water chestnuts, diced - 3 green onions, finely chopped - ¼ cup soy sauce (reduced sodium) - 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce - 1 tablespoon sriracha (or more to taste) - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon five-spice powder - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 head of butter lettuce (or iceberg lettuce) - Chopped cilantro and extra sriracha for garnish Gather these ingredients for a fun meal. Ground chicken is the star here. Use fresh veggies like red bell pepper and carrot for crunch. Water chestnuts add a nice texture too. For flavor, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger are key. They bring warmth and taste to the dish. The soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sriracha give it that firecracker kick! Don't forget the rice vinegar and five-spice powder for an extra zing. Finally, the lettuce acts as your wrap. Butter lettuce works best for this recipe, but iceberg is fine too. Garnish with cilantro and extra sriracha for a bright finish! These ingredients come together to create a vibrant and tasty meal. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare and enjoy! {{ingredient_image_1}} To make Firecracker Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps, start by gathering all your ingredients. This recipe takes about 25 minutes in total. You will need 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook. 1. Heat sesame oil: Start by heating 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Sauté garlic and ginger: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. 3. Brown the ground chicken: Add 1 pound of ground chicken to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked. 4. Add vegetables to the skillet: Stir in 1 finely chopped red bell pepper, 1 shredded carrot, and 1 cup of diced water chestnuts. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the veggies are tender. 5. Mix sauces with the chicken: In a bowl, mix together ¼ cup of reduced sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of sriracha, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of five-spice powder. Pour this sauce over the chicken mixture. 6. Stir everything together: Mix well until the chicken and veggies are evenly coated. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. 7. Finish with green onions: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 3 finely chopped green onions. This step-by-step guide makes it easy to create tasty Firecracker Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Enjoy the process and the delicious result! To achieve the best flavor in your Firecracker Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps, focus on fresh ingredients. Use crisp vegetables like red bell pepper and carrots. This adds a nice crunch and bright flavor. Ensure you cook the ground chicken fully. Brown it in the skillet for about 5-7 minutes. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This step makes sure the chicken is safe and tasty. Add the vegetables after browning the chicken. They will cook quickly and stay vibrant. Presentation matters for these wraps. Serve the chicken mix in a bowl next to the lettuce leaves. This way, everyone can create their own wraps. It’s fun and interactive! For garnishes, sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. A drizzle of extra sriracha adds a pop of color and flavor. You can also offer lime wedges for a zesty kick. Want to adjust the spice? Start with one tablespoon of sriracha. Taste the mix and add more if you like. You can swap sriracha for a milder sauce if desired. Consider using sweet chili sauce for a different flavor. This change gives a nice balance to the heat. Enjoy experimenting with flavors to find your perfect match! Pro Tips Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh vegetables and herbs for the best flavor and texture in your wraps. Adjusting Spice Levels: Feel free to increase or decrease the sriracha based on your heat preference; start with a small amount and taste as you go. Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just heat it up before serving. Serving Presentation: Serve the filling in a bowl with lettuce leaves on the side for a fun, interactive meal that everyone can customize. {{image_2}} You can swap the ground chicken for other proteins. Ground turkey or pork works well. If you want a meatless option, try crumbled tofu or tempeh. These swaps keep the dish tasty and fun. For veggies, mix things up! Use zucchini or mushrooms instead of bell peppers. You can also add spinach or kale for extra nutrients. The goal is to keep it colorful and crunchy. If you need a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Always check the labels for hidden gluten. For a dairy-free option, this recipe is already perfect! Just skip any cheese toppings. You can also skip the hoisin sauce. Use coconut aminos for a sweet flavor without soy. These tweaks help meet different dietary needs. Serving this dish can be creative! Instead of lettuce wraps, try using rice paper. It’s a fun way to add a different texture. You can also serve the chicken mixture over rice or quinoa for a hearty meal. Another idea is to create a taco bar. Set out toppings like chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and extra sriracha. This way, everyone can customize their wraps! To store leftover chicken mixture, place it in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down first. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. For the lettuce, wrap each leaf in a damp paper towel. This keeps the lettuce crisp for longer. Store it in a sealed bag in the fridge. The best way to reheat the chicken mixture is in a skillet. Heat it over medium heat until warm. Stir it often to keep it from sticking. You can also use the microwave if you’re in a hurry. Just cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid. This helps keep the moisture in. To maintain flavor and texture, add a splash of water or broth before reheating. This keeps it juicy and tasty. You can freeze the chicken mixture! Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Try to remove as much air as possible. It will stay good for up to three months in the freezer. To defrost, move it to the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave on the defrost setting. After it’s thawed, reheat as mentioned above. Enjoy your meal later! What is the best lettuce for wraps? Butter lettuce works best for wraps. It is soft and holds the filling well. Iceberg lettuce also works. It adds a nice crunch. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can. Cook the chicken filling a day in advance. Store it in the fridge. Just reheat before serving. How do I make it less spicy? To reduce heat, cut back on sriracha. You can also skip it altogether. Use sweet sauce instead for flavor without heat. What sides go well with this dish? Serve with rice or noodles. A fresh salad balances the meal. You can also add some fruit for sweetness. Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken? Absolutely! Ground turkey works well. It has a similar texture and flavor. Just adjust cooking time if needed. You learned how to make tasty Firecracker Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps. We covered ingredients, steps, and cooking tips for success. You can customize your dish with easy swaps, and store leftovers well. Keep your flavors bright and fresh for perfect wraps. I hope you enjoy trying this fun, healthy recipe!

Firecracker Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A spicy and flavorful dish featuring ground chicken wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper finely chopped
  • 1 carrot shredded
  • 1 cup water chestnuts, diced
  • 3 green onions finely chopped
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium)
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (or more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 head butter lettuce (or iceberg lettuce), separated into leaves
  • as needed chopped cilantro and extra sriracha for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
  • Stir in the red bell pepper, shredded carrot, and diced water chestnuts. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  • In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and five-spice powder. Mix well, then pour this sauce over the chicken mixture in the skillet.
  • Stir everything together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Allow to simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the chopped green onions.

Notes

Serve the ground chicken mixture in a bowl alongside the lettuce leaves for guests to create their own wraps. Garnish with chopped cilantro and extra sriracha.
Keyword chicken, healthy, lettuce wraps, spicy