It’s still blazing hot where I live, so a cool light(er) dinner sounds good to me! These little gems are great for a weekday dinner but also would be super fun for a party either as a dinner or as appetizers.
THAI CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
(Adapted from Pinch of Yum)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1P_nO_qyEUU/XUnzuEsRziI/AAAAAAAAczg/rIb8DWc576A-Ro9g0E1Xi0baeikBFcM1gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3743.jpg)
I think my favorite flavor combination in the world is soy sauce, garlic and ginger. These lettuce wraps combine all those flavors with a bit of sweetness from honey. The use of cold crisp lettuce versus a floury wrap saves calories and adds a dimension of taste. And using ground turkey (or chicken), it makes it easier to pile on the mix onto a piece of lettuce. Add the rice noodles and it moves up to another level of deliciousness! But you can leave them off if you want to save more carbs.
Sauce:
4 TBSP soy sauce (I use low sodium)
3 TBSP oyster sauce
3 TBSP water
1 TBSP chili paste
1 TBSP honey
1 TBSP fresh ginger, minced
juice of 2 limes (~4 TBSP)
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 green onions, minced
1 TBSP rice vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch (optional – to the sauce thicken)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbwr0jz36SA/XUnW4BFRxZI/AAAAAAAAcyE/c4HxazgfPNIAXcEJdZitjSwVnlqnUKqxACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3722.jpg)
Lettuce wraps:
2 TBSP sesame oil
1 lb ground chicken or turkey
1/2 cup lightly salted peanuts, chopped
6 oz rice noodles
12 leaves of leafy lettuce (I used Butter lettuce)
chopped cilantro, green onions, and peanuts for topping
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P84qWivr7M0/XUnW4GkQVTI/AAAAAAAAcyI/rH7v2TjvOcM54bktjrkkTZNXN4yFOWy2gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3723.jpg)
Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
Pour about 3/4 of the sauce into a bowl with the ground chicken (or turkey) and peanuts. Stir to combine – marinate for 15 minutes.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UoPAzn9zrpg/XUnYhRLYzBI/AAAAAAAAcyg/jIJhJaCpuBcZGurzqz3B3A2fGIarHFr0gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3729.jpg)
Soak the rice noodles in a large bowl of hot tap water while the meat is marinating.
When the noodles are softened, drain and rinse with cold water.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrPfrndDYZ4/XUnfaJPEmRI/AAAAAAAAczA/48mg001zVYUxiFvn7Bln9lbkPZzWILYCgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3732.jpg)
Cut into small pieces.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lokUhnn2D8/XUniTJQ0IFI/AAAAAAAAczM/dTAvCgK8nZcvCGxVXdAwW1Om5nNUaneTQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3733.jpg)
In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNwdDabFu1U/XUnbhq8ChcI/AAAAAAAAcy0/WzR0LaaJlWcY3yYIGYUekfHukVyk2K3dgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3731.jpg)
Add the meat and peanut mixture, and sauté for 10 minutes or until completely cooked through.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fMISo6GPT8/XUnz39VHcFI/AAAAAAAAczs/p9yprAmu2Mo13EnlEZ6ENF32mHwiyBcKQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3735.jpg)
Add the noodles, and stir-fry for another 5 minutes or until soft. A a bit of water, soy sauce or lime juice to moisten the pan if needed.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IhS8rTesjQ/XUnz4qxNnrI/AAAAAAAAczw/aIq-TgUv8bwlYM1_CSAF_rzWTj91M6pAACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3738.jpg)
Remove from heat, scoop mixture into lettuce leaves, top with cilantro, green onions, peanuts, and the reserved sauce.
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7cZPD1F8-4/XUniTfkgA3I/AAAAAAAAczQ/nFI0PIrzlNoYkSLhBXAngA0oo1d9PDObACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3734.jpg)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9jxEwHSZfk/XUnz5_V2-tI/AAAAAAAAcz0/lCDIPdf06NYJdmyti-csdzOg3a8YoIAcwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3740.jpg)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrkYisthEbU/XUnz3-i9t7I/AAAAAAAAczo/a6s7B_Hyym0u3A5S8zJRvNj8mUu10hB-wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3736.jpg)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoxC7fWP2RM/XUnz6VZrfjI/AAAAAAAAcz8/6CY8RqS-8jw0anY0hLgZsDt8Z3rxTSK4QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3741.jpg)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWLJQQiC-jM/XUnz7Bq5WRI/AAAAAAAAc0A/50Pivj-kktEIcmmSLAxwfFSQq5w7Ga-kQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3742.jpg)
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VyNlxEzDZfs/XUnz7E_QAVI/AAAAAAAAc0U/xBifKdySuPMgu29YKOZGaOvrXkeyh4f9gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3743.jpg)
ENJOY!!!