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Flavorful Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe with Creamy Peanut Sauce

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A quick and easy Thai-inspired recipe featuring savory ground chicken, fresh Thai basil, and crisp lettuce cups, served with a luscious creamy peanut sauce. Perfect for light meals, entertaining, and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground chicken, lean
  • 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, loosely packed (substitute with sweet basil if needed)
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 small red chili, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 head crisp butter lettuce leaves, washed and separated (Romaine or Bibb lettuce can work too)
  • For the Creamy Peanut Sauce:
  • 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1–2 tablespoons warm water (to thin the sauce as needed)
  • Optional: a pinch of chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients (5-7 minutes): Wash and separate the butter lettuce leaves carefully—try to keep them whole for easy filling. Finely mince the garlic and chili, slice the green onions, and roughly chop the Thai basil leaves.
  2. Make the Peanut Sauce (5 minutes): In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/3 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon honey. Whisk together, adding warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until you get a creamy, pourable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning; add a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
  3. Cook the Chicken (10-12 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chili, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Season the Chicken (2-3 minutes): Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes to let flavors meld. Remove from heat and fold in sliced green onions and Thai basil leaves to wilt slightly.
  5. Assemble the Lettuce Cups (5 minutes): Spoon generous portions of the chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf. Drizzle or dollop with creamy peanut sauce. Optionally, sprinkle with crushed peanuts or extra herbs for texture.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken to ensure browning instead of steaming. Fold in basil at the end to preserve its bright flavor. Assemble lettuce cups just before serving to keep lettuce crisp. For vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or lentils. Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thai basil chicken, lettuce cups, peanut sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, ground chicken, healthy meal, low carb, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/flavorful-thai-basil-chicken-lettuce-cups-recipe-with-creamy-peanut-sauce-easy/