San choy bau – Asian Lettuce wraps

San choy bau or Asian lettuce wraps are crunchy sweet and tangy. Absolutely perfect family dinner that is ready to be served in just 30 minutes. Let’s do it! 

San choy bau – Asian Lettuce wraps

By now you should know that I am a big advocate of cooking at home. It is not only the best way to avoid processed food that is usually high in salt and sugar and is full of harmful ingredients, but t is also a great way to connect with your family at the end of the day.

I can’t imagine not having dinner with my husband and children at a dinner table. It is a very special time we share. Time to connect, to talk and to listen. 

Did you know that kids who regularly have dinner with their family have better academic achievements at school? They are less likely to develop anxiety and to smoke or drink alcohol when they are teens.

And if you are looking for an easy recipe to enjoy at a family table, this San Choy Bau is a perfect choice.

Reasons to love this recipe

I love these Asian chicken lettuce wraps for so many reasons. They are:

• Easy to prepare. I don’t know about you, but even though I consider myself a good cook, I absolutely love recipes that are quick and require only a handful of ingredients. Who has the time to spend in the kitchen after a long day at work and endless after-school activities? Certainly not me! That’s why I like this recipe so much. It is an easy and quick weeknight dinner that can be done in under 30 minutes. Let’s keep it simple and delicious!
• Family and kid-friendly. This recipe was approved by my youngest son which says a lot 😉 
• Nourishing. San Choy Bau includes protein from meat and a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, ginger, garlic, onions, and lettuce. The vegetables and chicken mince contribute to a well-rounded and nutritious meal.
• Low-carb option: By using lettuce cups as a substitute for traditional carbohydrate-rich wrappers, San Choy Bau becomes a low-carb dish. It is a perfect choice if you are following a low-carbohydrate or keto diet. This low-calorie recipe is also great for weight loss diets.
• Gluten-free: This recipe, like all the others on my blog, is gluten-free. However, when selecting ingredients, please ensure that you choose gluten-free alternatives such as tamari for soy sauce and gluten-free teriyaki sauce. Keep in mind that conventional sauces often contain gluten.”

Ingredients for chicken lettuce wraps

• Mince from chicken thighs: I prefer using dark chicken mince, but if you prefer chicken breast, feel free to use that instead. Alternatively, you can also use ground turkey or ground pork.
• Veggies: You’ll need carrots, onions, fresh ginger, and garlic.

• Head of lettuce to make lettuce cups. The best lettuce for this recipe are cos (or Romaine lettuce), Boston lettuce, butter lettuce, or iceberg lettuce. Make sure the leaves are large enough to hold the chicken filling. Save the smaller leaves for later use by storing them in an airtight container lined with paper towels.
• Olive oil and sesame oil. I strongly recommend not to use vegetable oils in your cooking.

Ingredients for San choy bau sauce

• Teriyaki sauce. I used a gluten-free one made with coconut aminos. You can also make teriyaki sauce at home. I shared the method in my salmon teriyaki recipe.
• Soy sauce. Use tamari if you are following a gluten-free diet.
• Sweet chili sauce.

See the whole list of ingredients and the measurements in the recipe card below.

Toppings for Asian lettuce wraps

When it comes to toppings for chicken lettuce wraps, options are endless. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Crushed peanuts provide a delicious crunch and an authentic flavor to the wraps. Sprinkle them generously over the meat filling.
• Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle some chopped cilantro, Thai basil, or mint leaves on top of your lettuce wraps.
• Sliced Scallions: Finely chopped scallions (green onions).
• Chili Flakes or hot sauce such as sriracha. This chicken lettuce wrap recipe isn’t spicy. I adjusted the spiciness to accommodate families with young kids. However, If you enjoy some heat, a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha sauce will add a nice kick to your lettuce wraps. 
• Lime Wedges: Serve your lettuce wraps with lime wedges on the side. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the wraps just before eating, soo good!

How to make chicken lettuce wraps

Making these delicious chicken wraps is very straightforward. The key is to prepare all the ingredients before you start cooking.

Begin by peeling and dicing the carrots and onions. Peel and mince the garlic and ginger. Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Once you have everything ready, you are all set to start cooking. Let’s get started!

• Heat a combination of olive oil and sesame oil in a wok or a very large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the diced vegetables to the pan and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they have softened and become aromatic.
• Next, add the ground chicken to the pan and stir-fry, breaking up the meat as you go. Continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

• Pour the prepared sauce into the pan and stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to caramelize.
• Remove the wok from the heat and let the chicken mixture cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.

• While the chicken is cooling, prepare the lettuce leaves by washing and drying them.
• Place the chicken mixture into the lettuce cups and top with your favorite toppings.
• Serve with lime wedges or a dipping sauce of your choice. Enjoy!

Ingredients for dipping sauce and how to make it.

The dipping sauce is optional, but if you have an extra 2 minutes, it makes a great addition.

Ingredients:

• Limes
• Sweet chili sauce

Optional: Add some red pepper flakes if you want to add even more heat.

Instructions:

1. Squeeze fresh lime juice into a small bowl.
2. Add sweet chili sauce to the bowl.
3. Mix the lime juice and sweet chili sauce together.
4. Serve the dipping sauce alongside the chicken wraps.

Enjoy!

How to store

If you happen to have some leftovers or were smart enough and cooked a double batch, you can store the chicken mixture for later use.

Refrigerate

• Place the chicken mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate it.
• It will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• When ready to serve, simply reheat it in a frying pan with a splash of water or olive oil.
• Serve the reheated mixture in fresh lettuce cups.

Freeze

• You can also freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container.
• It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To use the frozen chicken, defrost it in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat it in a frying pan as mentioned above.

More family-friendly and simple recipes

If you enjoyed this Asian lettuce wrap recipe and found it to be a great dinner, I would so appreciate it if you could leave a star rating and a comment at the end of the post.

Your feedback is valuable to me. Additionally, feel free to let me know what you would like me to cook next time. I love hearing from you.

Furthermore, I have a collection of recipes, each offering a better option compared to any takeaway. Feel free to explore and try them out as well.

Have a great day and happy cooking!