Fresh & Zesty Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe for Dinner Joy

Sizzling and packed with bold flavors, these cashew chicken lettuce wraps recipe deliver a perfect balance of crunch and savory goodness.

Tender chicken pieces dance with roasted cashews in a vibrant sauce that tingles your taste buds.

The light, crisp lettuce leaves create the ideal vessel for this delectable filling.

Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and zesty seasonings that make this dish irresistible.

Fresh ingredients come together quickly, making this meal a weeknight winner for busy home cooks.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these lettuce wraps promise a delicious escape from ordinary dinner routines.

Get ready to fall in love with this simple yet spectacular meal that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 352 kcal

Servings: 5

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: Tender, juicy protein that forms the heart of the dish, choose fresh, boneless chicken breast for best texture and easy preparation.
• Cashews: Crunchy nutty element that adds richness and texture, select roasted unsalted cashews for maximum flavor control.

• Chicken Stock: Provides depth and moisture to the sauce, opt for low-sodium varieties to manage salt levels.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami and saltiness, choose traditional or reduced-sodium version based on dietary preferences.
• Hoisin Sauce: Brings sweet and tangy complexity, select authentic Chinese brands for genuine flavor.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds bright, subtle acidity to balance the dish, look for clear, mild varieties.
• Cornstarch: Crucial for thickening sauce and creating silky texture, ensure fresh and lump-free.
• Ginger: Introduces warm, spicy undertone, select fresh root for most vibrant flavor.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic base, choose firm, plump cloves without sprouts.
• Sriracha Hot Sauce: Delivers optional heat and zest, adjust quantity to personal spice tolerance.

• Lettuce: Crisp, cool wrapper that adds freshness, select sturdy iceberg or butter lettuce leaves.
• Green Onions: Adds sharp, fresh finish, choose bright green stalks with firm white bases.

Tools to Assemble Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the sauce.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing sauce ingredients and combining flavors.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Used for slicing chicken and green onions with precision.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring sauce ingredients.
• Tongs: Useful for flipping chicken and handling ingredients in the skillet.

How to Cook and Wrap Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Flavor Foundation

Gently massage salt and pepper into chicken pieces, creating a simple yet robust base of seasoning that will enhance the meat’s natural taste.

• Sauce Magic

Whisk together a luscious blend of chicken stock, soy sauce, zingy ginger, sweet hoisin, tangy vinegar, and silky cornstarch in a small bowl, creating a sauce that will transform the dish.

• Chicken Dance

Sizzle chicken in a hot skillet, letting it develop golden edges and cook through, turning once to ensure even browning and maximum flavor.

• Aromatic Awakening

Introduce minced garlic for a quick burst of fragrance, then pour in the prepared sauce, allowing it to bubble and thicken into a glossy coating that hugs each chicken morsel.

• Spicy Surprise

Add a dash of Sriracha for a kick of heat, then fold in crunchy cashews and a sprinkle of green onions, creating layers of texture and excitement.

• Lettuce Embrace

Nestle the spicy, nutty chicken into crisp lettuce cups, topping with extra green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish that makes each bite a delightful adventure.

Flavor Variations for Cashew Chicken Wraps

• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or ground turkey for a quick protein switch that keeps the dish exciting and adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Toast cashews in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor and add extra crispiness to the lettuce wraps.
• Control heat by adding Sriracha gradually or offering it on the side, allowing each person to customize their wrap's spiciness according to their taste.
• Experiment with different lettuce varieties like butter lettuce or large romaine leaves, or use rice paper wraps for a fun texture transformation.
• Prepare chicken mixture ahead of time and store separately from lettuce leaves, making quick assembly possible for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Serving Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps at Any Meal

• Wrap with Fresh Lettuce: Serve the sizzling cashew chicken in crisp, cool lettuce leaves for a light and refreshing eating experience.
• Garnish with Green Onion Sprinkle: Top the wraps with the reserved green onions to add a vibrant, zesty crunch and burst of color.
• Create a DIY Appetizer Station: Set out lettuce leaves, chicken mixture, and extra cashews so guests can build their own personalized wraps.
• Pair with Cooling Side: Complement the spicy chicken with a chilled cucumber salad or steamed white rice to balance the flavors.

Storage Tips for Chicken Lettuce Wrap Leftovers

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop chicken, slice green onions, and mix sauce ingredients up to 24 hours before cooking to save time during busy weeknights.
• Smart Refrigeration: Store cooked cashew chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days, keeping lettuce separate to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze with Caution: Freeze chicken mixture without lettuce for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator and reheating gently to maintain texture.
• Quick Lunch Transformation: Repurpose leftover cashew chicken as a protein-packed salad topping or stuff into warm tortillas for a delicious next-day meal variation.

Crispy Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory cashew chicken lettuce wraps deliver a delightful blend of Asian-inspired flavors and crisp textures. Crunchy lettuce cups cradle spicy chicken, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for casual dining.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 green onions, chopped, divided
• 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or stock
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• ½ tsp freshly grated ginger
• ¼ cup (60 ml) hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps (16 g) cornstarch
• 1 – 2 tsps Sriracha hot sauce, to taste
• 2 tsps (10 ml) sesame oil or substitute canola oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ¾ cup (108 g) unsalted cashews
• 1 head green leafy lettuce (romaine, bibb, or butter)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken with salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend chicken broth, soy sauce, ginger, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch into a uniform, silky mixture.
3. Protein Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, then introduce chicken pieces. Cook until golden-brown, rotating once to guarantee complete cooking and develop robust flavor, approximately 4-6 minutes.
4. Aromatics Integration: Quickly incorporate minced garlic for 25-30 seconds, releasing intense fragrance without scorching.
5. Sauce Infusion: Reduce heat and pour prepared sauce over chicken, stirring continuously to create a glossy, thick coating that envelops each protein morsel.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Add Sriracha hot sauce to desired intensity, gently mixing to distribute spiciness evenly.
7. Final Touches: Fold roasted cashews and most green onions into the chicken mixture, then transfer the warm medley into crisp lettuce cups.
8. Presentation: Garnish with remaining green onions, creating a vibrant, fresh finish to the dish.

Notes

• Perfectly Season Chicken: Salt and pepper generously to create a flavorful base layer that enhances overall taste.
• Whisk Sauce Smoothly: Combine ingredients thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution of flavors.
• Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning or undercooking.
• Manage Garlic Carefully: Stir quickly and watch closely to release aromatic oils without scorching, which can turn bitter.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American-Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 352
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg