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Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe - Fresh, Crunchy, and Weeknight Easy

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for a silkier texture)
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado, canola, or peanut)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 cup cremini mushrooms, finely chopped (optional but great for depth)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews, roughly chopped
  • 1 head butter lettuce or 2 small romaine hearts, leaves separated
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or an extra 1/2 tablespoon hoisin if needed)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1–2 teaspoons honey or brown sugar, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons water to thin, as needed

Method
 

  1. Mix the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, hoisin, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and red pepper flakes. Add water to reach a pourable consistency. Taste and adjust for sweet, salty, and heat balance.
  2. Prep the chicken. Pat dry and dice finely. Toss with cornstarch if using; it helps the meat brown and the sauce cling.
  3. Cook aromatics. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook 2 minutes until starting to soften. Stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  4. Brown the chicken. Add chicken to the skillet in an even layer. Let it sear undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir and cook 4–6 minutes until no longer pink.
  5. Add vegetables. Stir in bell pepper and mushrooms. Cook 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp.
  6. Sauce it up. Pour in the sauce and simmer 1–2 minutes, stirring, until it slightly thickens and coats the chicken. Add a splash of water if it gets too tight.
  7. Finish with cashews. Stir in chopped cashews and half the green onions. Turn off the heat.
  8. Assemble. Spoon warm filling into lettuce leaves. Top with remaining green onions and cilantro if using. Serve immediately.