Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Summary

Dive into the delicious world of Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps! A delightful dance of flavors and textures, these wraps are not only a healthy treat but also a culinary experience waiting to unfold. Packed with protein, fresh veggies, and zesty seasonings, this dish will not only answer your query about an easy-to-make delicacy but will also become a staple in your kitchen. So, are you ready to whip this up? Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• Chicken:
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced (450g)
• Cashews:
• 1 cup roasted unsalted cashews (140g)
• For the Sauce:
• 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (45 ml)
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (15 ml)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (5 ml)
• 1 tbsp honey (15 ml)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch ginger piece, grated
• Vegetables:
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• To Assemble:
• 1 head of iceberg or butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
• For Garnish (optional):
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation and Cooking Time:
30 minutes

Serves:
Serves 4

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 290
• Protein: 26g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 8g
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 420mg

Instructions

1. Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your diced chicken breast.
2. Cook the chicken until it’s browned and fully cooked. This should take around 7-8 minutes.
3. While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce: soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
4. Once the chicken is done, toss in the roasted unsalted cashews and red bell pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and cashews in the skillet.
6. Let everything simmer for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken and coat the chicken and cashews.
7. Stir in the green onions.
8. Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat.
9. To serve, take a lettuce leaf, scoop a generous amount of the cashew chicken mixture onto it, and fold or wrap it like a taco.
10. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if desired.

Tips

1. For an extra crunch, add thinly sliced radishes or julienned carrots.
2. If iceberg or butter lettuce isn’t available, romaine lettuce works great as a substitute.
3. For those watching their sodium intake, feel free to adjust the soy sauce or opt for a sodium-free version.
4. Make sure your cashews are unsalted; the sauce will provide all the flavor you need!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve your Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps with a side of steamed quinoa or brown rice for a more filling meal.
• A light cucumber salad drizzled with a hint of lemon juice pairs wonderfully with these wraps.
• Enjoy the wraps with a chilled glass of iced green tea for a refreshing combo.

FAQ

1. What kind of chicken works best for this recipe?
   While the recipe specifies chicken breast, you can also use thigh meat if you prefer a juicier texture. Just make sure to dice them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
2. Can I make this dish vegetarian?
   Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh. Remember to press and drain the tofu to get the best texture.
3. I have a nut allergy. What can I use instead of cashews?
   If you’re allergic to cashews, you can try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for that added crunch. However, be mindful of any cross-contaminations in manufacturing processes.
4. Is there an alternative to hoisin sauce?
   If you can’t find hoisin sauce, you can use oyster sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar as a substitute. The flavor profile might change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
5. How do I store leftovers?
   Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3 days. To enjoy, reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
6. Can I prepare any components of this dish in advance?
   Yes! You can pre-mix the sauce and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Additionally, the chicken can be diced a day in advance and stored in a sealed container.
7. Is it possible to make this recipe spicy?
   If you love a kick, you can add some red pepper flakes or sliced chili peppers while cooking the chicken and cashews.
8. I’m on a keto diet. How can I adjust the recipe?
   You can reduce or omit the honey in the sauce to lower the carb count. Additionally, serve the wraps with a side of veggies instead of rice or quinoa.
9. What’s the best way to wash and prepare the lettuce?
   Make sure to gently wash each leaf under cold water, then pat dry with a towel. This ensures the lettuce remains crisp and doesn’t become soggy.
10. I’m not a fan of cilantro. Can I use another herb for garnish?
    Definitely! Fresh mint or basil can be a delightful alternative to cilantro, adding their unique flavors to the dish.

With these Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps in your repertoire, you’re not only indulging in a dish that’s delightfully tasty but also one that aligns perfectly with AH7’s mission of promoting health and fitness. So, next time you’re pondering what to whip up for a quick, nutritious meal, remember this stellar recipe. Happy cooking!

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Dive into the delicious world of Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps! A delightful dance of flavors and textures, these wraps are not only a healthy treat but also a culinary experience waiting to unfold. Packed with protein, fresh veggies, and zesty seasonings, this dish will not only answer your query about an easy-to-make delicacy but will also become a staple in your kitchen. So, are you ready to whip this up? Let’s get cooking!

5 from 1 vote

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Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Nutritions

Nutrition Facts

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Amount per Serving

Calories

290

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

12

g

18

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Cholesterol

 

65

mg

22

%

Sodium

 

239

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

20

g

7

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Protein

 

26

g

52

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Ingredients

• Chicken:

  – 1 lb chicken breast diced (450g)

• Chashew:

  – 1 cup roasted unsalted cashews 140g

• For sauce:

  – 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce 45 ml

• – 1 tbsp hoisin sauce 15 ml
• – 1 tsp sesame oil 5 ml
• – 1 tbsp honey 15 ml
• – 2 garlic cloves minced
• – 1 inch ginger piece grated
• Vegetables:

  – 2 green onions thinly sliced

• – 1 red bell pepper diced
• To Assemble:

  – 1 head of iceberg or butter lettuce leaves separated and washed

• – **For Garnish optional:**
• – 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• – 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

• Begin by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add your diced chicken breast.
• Cook the chicken until it’s browned and fully cooked. This should take around 7-8 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce: soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
• Once the chicken is done, toss in the roasted unsalted cashews and red bell pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and cashews in the skillet.
• Let everything simmer for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken and coat the chicken and cashews.
• Stir in the green onions.
• Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat.
• To serve, take a lettuce leaf, scoop a generous amount of the cashew chicken mixture onto it, and fold or wrap it like a taco.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

1. For an extra crunch, add thinly sliced radishes or julienned carrots.
2. If iceberg or butter lettuce isn’t available, romaine lettuce works great as a substitute.
3. For those watching their sodium intake, feel free to adjust the soy sauce or opt for a sodium-free version.
4. Make sure your cashews are unsalted; the sauce will provide all the flavor you need!