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Chicken lettuce cups with crunchy vermicelli noodles on a white plate.
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3.34 from 3 votes

Minced Chicken in Lettuce Cups

Chicken lettuce cups with tasty hoisin flavor and crunchy vermicelli noodles are an easy, budget-friendly, and tasty lunch option everyone will love!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Entree
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 284kcal
Author: Lalaine Manalo

Ingredients

  • 3 pieces dried shitake mushrooms
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • oil
  • 2 ounces vermicelli noodles
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 thumb-size ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
  • 2 pieces green onions, finely choped
  • 1 head iceberg, green leaf, or butter lettuce, leaves separated
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, soak shitake mushrooms in warm water for about 30 minutes or until softened. Drain and squeeze out liquid. Stem mushrooms and mince. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine chicken, one tablespoon of the soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and cornstarch. Marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • In a pan over medium heat, heat about 1 cup of oil until hot. Add noodles and deep-fry for about 10 to 15 seconds or until puffed up and color changes to white. Using a slotted spoon, remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, the remaining one tablespoon soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Whisk together until blended and set aside.
  • In a wide skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon oil. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring regularly, until aromatic.
  • Add chicken and cook, breaking apart with the back of a spoon, until lightly browned.
  • Add water chestnuts and mushrooms. Continue to cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  • Add hoisin sauce mixture and stir until chicken is well coated. Continue to cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until sauce is absorbed and chicken is cooked through. 
  • Add green onions and stir to combine. Remove from heat and transfer onto a serving platter. 
  • To serve, spoon the chicken mixture into the center of the lettuce leaf and top with fried noodles.

Notes

You can grate the ginger to get all the flavor, but with peppery bits to bite into.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 956mg | Potassium: 727mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 6.4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1.9mg