This is one of those meals that makes you feel like you're eating takeout—but better.

These Asian chicken lettuce cups are fresh, flavorful, and come together in one pan in about 20 minutes. I started making these when I was looking for low-carb meals that didn’t feel like I was missing out. And let me tell you, these deliver on taste, texture, and total satisfaction.

They’re light, protein-packed, and totally customizable. And bonus? They make great leftovers for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken (or ground turkey)

• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (look for one with clean ingredients or use a low-sugar option)

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1/4 tsp ground ginger (or 1/2 tsp freshly grated)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

• 1/4 cup shredded carrots (optional)

• Butter lettuce or romaine leaves, washed and separated

Optional Toppings:

• Crushed peanuts

• Extra green onions

• Red pepper flakes

• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and lightly browned, about 6–8 minutes.

3. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook another 2–3 minutes until everything is well coated and warmed through.

4. Remove from heat and stir in green onions and optional shredded carrots.

5. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves and top with any extras you like. Serve with lime wedges for extra flavor!

Why I Love This Dinner

These lettuce cups are everything I want in a quick, feel-good meal: bold flavor, lean protein, and a little crunch in every bite. They’re fun to eat, easy to customize, and totally satisfying without being heavy.

Back when I was trying to find cleaner ways to enjoy my favorite takeout flavors, recipes like this helped me stick to my goals without feeling restricted.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Makes 3)

• Calories: 310

• Protein: 28g

• Carbohydrates: 10g

• Fiber: 2g

• Fat: 18g