**Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Leaves: A Flavorful and Healthy Asian Treat**
Discover the tantalizing taste of Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Leaves, an iconic dish that combines the sweet and savory flavors of Chinese cuisine with the crisp freshness of lettuce. This delectable dish features succulent chicken coated in a rich hoisin sauce, stir-fried with colorful vegetables, and nestled in crisp lettuce leaves, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. With its vibrant colors, aromatic sauce, and the crunch of lettuce, this dish is not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. In this comprehensive guide, we present two variations of this classic dish: a traditional recipe that captures the authentic flavors of Chinese cooking, and a healthier version that caters to those seeking a lighter and more nutritious meal. Both recipes promise an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more.
CHICKEN LETTUCE CUPS
Chinese cooks don't use a lot of raw vegetables, but instead prefer to stir-fry or braise them. There are a few exceptions, however, and in Hong Kong cooks fill crisp iceberg lettuce leaves with savory minced pigeon meat. Since we have no intention of domesticating the pigeons outside my New York City apartment window (pigeon meat is hard to find in the United States), we've substituted chicken in this recipe, which tastes equally as delicious. Chuck all the filling ingredients in a food processor if you're in a hurry, but larger chunks of mushrooms and water chestnuts add texture. Don't forget the fresh cilantro leaves heaped on top.
Provided by Mary Kate Tate
Categories Chicken Appetizer Lunch Lunar New Year Healthy Lettuce Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Peanut Free Kosher
Yield Serves 4 to 6
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small bowl and mix together until the sugar dissolves.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry the garlic and ginger for 10 seconds. Add the onion, mushrooms, and water chestnuts and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Remove the contents of the wok.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok. Swish the oil around, add the chicken, and brown for 1 minute, or until no longer pink. Add the cooked vegetable mixture back to the wok, decrease the heat, and stir in the sauce mixture. Stir for 1 minute, or until the sauce is heated and the chicken is cooked through.
- Spoon the filling in equal amounts into the lettuce cups. Top each lettuce cup with cilantro and sprinkle with chopped cashews. Serve warm.
HOISIN CHICKEN IN CRISP LETTUCE
A healthy and light chicken dish that's perfect for a buffet
Provided by Merrilees Parker
Categories Buffet, Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Side dish
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a bowl, mix the sherry and cornflour to a smooth liquid. Add the soy and hoisin sauces, sugar and stock. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan, toss in the garlic and whites of the spring onions and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Tip in the chicken and stir fry over a high heat until it colours, using the back of a spoon to break up any big lumps. Tip in the water chestnuts and stir fry for a further 1-2 minutes.
- Push the chicken mixture to one side of the wok. Pour the sherry mixture into the empty part and stir for 1-2 minutes until it bubbles and thickens. Combine thoroughly, then leave to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Season and stir in the green spring onions and coriander.
- Lay the lettuce leaves on serving plates, spoon in the warm mixture without overfilling, and scatter with the shredded spring onion. Suggest your guests roll the lettuce up around the filling to make a shape that's easy to eat as finger food.
- Prepare ahead; you can cook the filling the day before, leave to cool and store in a plastic container in the fridge overnight. Reheat it well for 5-10 minutes until hot, stirring all the time and adding a splash of hot water if it's too dry.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64 calories, Fat 2 grams fat, Carbohydrate 5 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Protein 6 grams protein, Sodium 0.56 milligram of sodium
HOISIN CHICKEN IN LETTUCE LEAVES
Provided by Ruth Cousineau
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a wok or a 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick) over moderately high heat until just smoking, then add oil. Add ginger, salt, and 2 tablespoons scallions and stir-fry until ginger is fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add chicken and stir-fry until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add water chestnuts, hoisin sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and pine nuts and stir-fry until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons scallions.
- Have guests serve themselves by spooning chicken mixture into lettuce leaves and wrapping leaves around filling to enclose.
GRILLED HOISIN CHICKEN IN LETTUCE CUPS
This delicious appetizer is visually appealing and fun to eat. It also works as a light main course.
Provided by MarieRynr
Categories Chicken Thigh & Leg
Time 40m
Yield 6-8 as a starter
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a grill to medium high. In a small bowl, whisk the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. In a larger bowl, season the chicken with 1 tsp salt and 2 TBS of the hoison mixture.
- Grill the chicken thighs, covered, until well browned and beginning to blacken around the edges, about 5 minutes (rotate the chicken 90 degrees halfway through cooking for the most even cooking). Flip and continue to grill until cooked through (rotating again), about another 5 minutes. let the chicken rest for 8 to 10 minutes and then chop into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch dice. Transfer the chopped chicken to a mixing bowl, add the remaining hoisinmixture, and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Spoon the chicken into very small lettuce leaves, garnish with the basil, mint, green onions, peanuts and jalapeno slices (if using). Arrange the filled leaves on a platter and serve.
- alternatively, to serve as a main course, put the chopped and dressed chicken in a serving bowl. Arrange larger lettuce leaves, basil and mint separately on a platter and put the green onions, peanuts and jalapeno slices in small serving bowls. To serve, have diners spoon the chicken onto the middle of a lettuce leaf, top with the herbs and condiments, and roll the edges of the lettuce leaves up and around the filling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.6, Fat 12.1, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 38.6, Sodium 602.7, Carbohydrate 15.4, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 6.1, Protein 16.5
LEMONGRASS-CHILE-CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
Ready in 30 minutes, our restaurant-worthy lettuce wraps showcase sweet and spicy chicken with a hint of citrus. Serve with our homemade hoisin-lemongrass sauce.
Provided by Cheri Liefeld
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In large bowl, mix sauce ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Heat 3-quart saucepan over high heat. Add oil, lemongrass, chile, garlic and gingerroot; cook 1 minute. Stir in chicken. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until chicken is no longer pink.
- Stir lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, mint and soy sauce into chicken mixture.
- Spoon chicken mixture onto lettuce leaves. Serve with hoisin-lemongrass sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1250 mg, Sugar 15 g, TransFat 0 g
HOISIN CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
Make and share this Hoisin Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Wildflour
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place chicken in single layer in large saucepan and add enough water to cover by 1/2-inch. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and poach 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Place slaw mix in large bowl.
- Add bean sprouts, scallion, peanuts, hoisin sauce, ginger and hot sauce.
- Chop cooled chicken or shred to make about 2 cups and add to slaw mixture. Toss to combine well.
- To serve, place lettuce leaves on platter or individual dishes and divide chicken mixture evenly among lettuce leaves, about 1/3 cup per leaf.
- Or, allow guests to make their own lettuce wraps!
- Fold sides over and roll up from stem end.
- 4 servings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 268.8, Fat 9.2, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 66.3, Sodium 470.2, Carbohydrate 15.5, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 7.8, Protein 32.2
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh lettuce leaves, juicy chicken, and crisp vegetables will make your Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Leaves dish more flavorful and enjoyable.
- Don't overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken will be tough and dry. Cook it just until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Use a flavorful hoisin sauce: The hoisin sauce is the star of this dish, so make sure to use a good-quality one. Look for a hoisin sauce that is thick and flavorful, with a balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with the vegetables: You can use any type of vegetables you like in this dish. Some popular options include bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snow peas.
- Serve the Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Leaves immediately: This dish is best served immediately, while the chicken is still hot and the lettuce leaves are crisp.
Conclusion:
Hoisin Chicken in Lettuce Leaves is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With its flavorful hoisin sauce and crisp lettuce leaves, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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