Don’t miss out on these Gluten Free Chicken Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps. Everybody deserves to eat these flavorful Asian appetizers!
My adorable brother just called me yesterday.
Which one??? Oh, yeah, I have three. And yes, they are ALL adorable!
To be specific, my littlest brother called me yesterday. He’s my partner in crime when it comes to all things food. He’s the only one that listens to my recipe ramblings with actual interest rather than just pretend paying attention (no offense to the rest of my family, but I’ve caught on!).
During our conversation yesterday he was telling me about how he and his girlfriend were making a goal this week to cook the majority of their meals at home. They had actually sat down and looked at recipes, wrote out a shopping list, bought the ingredients, and decided which days they were going to make each of their dinners.
Now in most situations I would just roll my eyes and ask, “Is your boyfriend/husband really going to HELP cook? Or stand there and watch?”
I only say that because that’s what Ben would do. He is as useless as useless gets when it comes to kitchen help…well except for clean-up. He’s GREAT at cleaning up!
But, in my brother’s case, I don’t doubt for a second that he will be right there side by side in the kitchen with his girlfriend assisting in every step of dinner prep/production.
In fact, all my brothers are pretty good in the kitchen. My older brother who’s married cooks entire meals on his own for his family.
And even my middle brother who I labeled as a lost cause years ago when it came to cooking, has informed me that he now looks up recipes on the internet and actually makes them.
SAY WHAT???! Pinterest is coming your way buddy!
Anywho, one of the dinners that my brother and his girlfriend are making this week is lettuce wraps. As soon as that came out of his mouth, I couldn’t help but blurt out with excitement that I had just created a recipe for those!
Great minds think alike, yo!
So in honor of my ever-so-cute and oh-so-adorable littlest brother I am posting these Gluten Free Chicken Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps.
Call them dinner. Call them appetizers. I don’t care.
I call them yummy in my tummy.
Good enough for you???
That’s what I thought.
These lettuce wraps are full of salty, sweet, oniony, garlic-y, mushroom-y, TERIYAKI flavor. All the veggies combine to create a lovely texture coupled with the ground chicken and brown rice.
Each little wrap is like a quick trip to your favorite Asian restaurant. Except you don’t have to get in your car and drive to wherever it is and pay an arm and a leg for something you can easily make yourself.
You can add whichever veggies you have on hand as well as add more toppings for different textures and flavors. Add chopped peanuts, crispy rice noodles, or water chestnuts for extra crunch.
We also used this chicken mixture the next day inside tortillas for a banging Asian infused burrito. Add a little cilantro, a squeeze of lime, some romaine lettuce, and a drizzle of that delectable lettuce wraps sauce and you have a-whole-nother meal on your hands.
Can’t complain about that, now can you?
I brought these lettuce wraps to a neighborhood potluck barbecue and they got rave reviews even being a day old and reheated. Yes, story of my life. I am always bringing leftovers (usually goodies) to potlucks because I am ALWAYS COOKING.
I’m almost positive that this sauce is going to be your new favorite accompaniment to any Asian meal in your future. I can’t stop making it. I’ve used it for stir-fry, as a sauce on top of these Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Teriyaki Burgers, and now in these lettuce wraps.
It’s really that good.
It’s tangy and salty and sweet and spicy all at the same dang time. It’s thick enough to dip and drizzle, but not too sticky. It’s a winner for sure!
So here’s to lettuce wraps, great brothers, and men in the kitchen!
Go get your cook on baby bro!
Do your spouses/girlfriends/boyfriends/roommates help out in the kitchen or is it all up to you?
- For Sauce:
- ⅔ cup Kikkoman brand gluten free teriyaki sauce*
- ⅔ cup water
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1½ tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- For Lettuce Wraps:
- 1 cup finely chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- salt
- pepper
- 1 lb. lean ground chicken
- 3 stalks green onions, chopped (about 3-4 tablespoons)
- 12-16 butter or iceberg lettuce cups
- 2 cups cooked brown rice (optional)
- Begin making sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small sauce pan. Whisk together to dissolve cornstarch. Heat slightly above medium heat until mixture comes to a low boil. Stir constantly for 4 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat.
- To make chicken filling, prepare veggies by chopping carrots, celery, mushrooms, and green onions.
- Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large saucepan/skillet over slightly above medium heat. Once pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles, add all veggies but green onions. Stir to coat with oil. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Saute veggies for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Add chicken to veggie mixture. Break up chicken with a spatula. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Add green onions. Cook ground chicken until cooked through and no longer any traces of pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- Drain any liquid from chicken mixture. While mixture is still warm, spoon about ½ cup of sauce over chicken. Stir to coat all mixture. Add additional sauce to mixture as desired.
- Spoon brown rice (optional) and chicken mixture into lettuce cups and serve with remaining sauce for drizzling.
These are so fun, seriously need to make them for my boys!
Thank you so much Matt! First of all, I LOVE your blog! Your photos are absolutely amazing! And yes, lettuce wraps are a fun way of tricking your kids into a healthy meal. Lettuce tacos, right?! =)
This was yummy. I used coconut amino due to soy allergies.
Thanks Tracy! I’m glad you enjoyed it.