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Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe

4.8 from 95 reviews

These Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Cups are a light, flavorful dish featuring tender diced chicken cooked in a savory teriyaki glaze, served fresh in crisp butter lettuce leaves with a crunchy topping of shredded carrots, cucumber, and green onions. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer, these cups combine sweet, savory, and fresh elements for a satisfying bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Lettuce Cups:

  • 1 head of butter lettuce (or iceberg lettuce), leaves separated
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Then stir in the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and fully coat the chicken pieces.
  2. Prepare the Lettuce Cups: While the chicken cooks, wash and separate the lettuce leaves, then pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. In a small bowl, combine the shredded carrots, diced cucumber, and sliced green onions to create the topping mixture.
  3. Assemble the Lettuce Cups: Spoon the warm teriyaki chicken mixture onto the center of each lettuce leaf. Then top each with a generous amount of the carrot, cucumber, and green onion mixture. Finally, sprinkle each cup with sesame seeds to add crunch and flavor.
  4. Serve: Serve the lettuce cups immediately while the chicken is warm. These make a fresh and tasty light meal or appetizer packed with juicy chicken and crisp, colorful veggies.

Notes

  • For gluten-free option, ensure teriyaki and soy sauces are gluten-free or use tamari.
  • Butter lettuce is preferred for its pliability, but iceberg lettuce can be used for extra crunch.
  • Make homemade teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a cornstarch slurry.
  • These cups are best served fresh to prevent lettuce from wilting.
  • Can add chopped peanuts or cashews for extra texture if desired.
  • Adjust garlic and ginger amounts based on taste preference.

Keywords: teriyaki chicken, lettuce cups, healthy appetizer, Asian recipe, low fat meal, quick dinner, fresh lettuce wraps