Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml)
  • 1 pound ground chicken (450g)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 carrot, peeled and shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1/4 cup chopped water chestnuts, canned, drained (60 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (5 ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter, smooth (60 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium (30 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (15 ml)
  • 1-2 tablespoons hot water, to thin (15-30 ml)
  • Optional: Sriracha to taste
  • 1 head butter lettuce or romaine lettuce, leaves separated and washed
  • Optional garnishes: chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro leaves

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add diced onion, garlic, and ginger to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Then add the bell pepper and shredded carrot and cook until slightly softened.
  3. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and water chestnuts. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the white parts of the green onions.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey (or maple syrup). Add hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Add Sriracha to taste, if desired.
  6. Spoon the chicken filling into lettuce leaves. Drizzle with peanut sauce and garnish with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and/or cilantro leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.