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I discovered these Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps when I needed a quick healthy dinner that still felt special. Now they're my go-to meal on busy weeknights! They come together in under 30 minutes and that combination of tender chicken crunchy cashews and fresh lettuce with that amazing Asian-inspired sauce is just unbeatable.
What Makes These So Good
What I love about these wraps is how they manage to be both light and satisfying. The sauce gives you all those bold Asian flavors while the cashews add this perfect crunch. They're great for dinner but I've also served them as appetizers at parties and they're always a hit. Plus they're so easy to customize everyone can make them just how they like!
Everything You Need
- Chicken Breasts: Cut them nice and small they cook faster that way.
- Fresh Lettuce: I love Boston bib or romaine hearts they hold up perfectly.
- Cashews: Toast them first it makes such a difference!
- The Sauce: My simple blend of soy sauce garlic ginger and a touch of sweet.
Let's Start Cooking
- Getting That Chicken Perfect
- First thing I do is cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces they cook evenly this way. Get your pan nice and hot and cook them until they're golden brown. This is where all that good flavor starts!
- Making Magic with the Sauce
- While the chicken's cooking I mix up that amazing sauce. The combination of soy sauce fresh ginger and garlic is heavenly. When you add it to the hot pan it bubbles up and gets all glossy.
- Adding the Crunch
- Those toasted cashews go in next. They get coated in all that delicious sauce and add such great texture.
- Time to Wrap
- Now comes the fun part! I lay out all those fresh lettuce leaves and let everyone build their own wraps. It's like a little DIY dinner party!
Picking Your Lettuce
Let me tell you about lettuce choice it really matters! Boston bib is my favorite it's got these perfect cup-shaped leaves that hold everything so nicely. Romaine hearts work great too they're really crisp. Sometimes I even use cabbage leaves when I want extra crunch.
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Making It a Meal
These wraps are so versatile! Sometimes I'll serve them with some steamed rice on the side or maybe some fresh fruit. When I'm having friends over I'll set everything out buffet-style and let people build their own it's such a fun way to serve dinner.
My Best Tips
After making these wraps countless times I've learned some tricks. Always toast those cashews first it makes them extra crunchy and brings out their flavor. Try to cut your chicken pieces about the same size so they cook evenly. And don't overfill your lettuce leaves I know it's tempting but they're easier to eat when they're not too stuffed!
Saving Some For Later
Good news these store really well! Keep the chicken mixture in a container in the fridge it'll stay perfect for about three days. Just remember to store your lettuce separately and wrap fresh when you're ready to eat. A quick reheat on the stove or in the microwave and you're good to go.
Mix It Up
That's what's so fun about these wraps you can really make them your own. Sometimes I'll add shredded carrots or cucumber for extra crunch. If you like it spicy add some sriracha to the sauce. I've even made them with different nuts when I'm out of cashews they're always delicious!
Perfect Pairings
These wraps are amazing on their own but sometimes I like to make them extra special. A side of fluffy steamed rice or quinoa makes it more filling. I love serving them with miso soup in winter or a crisp cucumber salad in summer. The combinations are endless!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of lettuce works best?
Romaine, butter, or bib lettuce all work well. Choose lettuce with large, sturdy leaves that can hold the filling without breaking.
- → Can I make this ahead?
The chicken filling can be made ahead and reheated. Keep lettuce separate and assemble just before serving to maintain crispness.
- → How can I adjust the spiciness?
Adjust the amount of Sriracha sauce to taste. Start with less and add more gradually to reach your desired heat level.
- → What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?
If you don't have hoisin sauce, you can use oyster sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- → Can I use different nuts?
While cashews are traditional, you could substitute peanuts or almonds for a different crunch and flavor profile.
