We love food wrapped in lettuce. So every once in a while I try to create a new option like these chicken meatballs. They're delicious, good for you and fun to eat. The meatballs are packed with a mixture of sauteed mushrooms, carrots, lemongrass, and fresh ginger. They're quickly baked and then the fun starts. I like to serve them with a bunch of fresh veggies and an Asian inspired dipping sauce and lettuce leaves for wrapping. Everyone loves making their own little packages and especially because they taste so good!
Ingredients for Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps:
Meatballs:
1 pound ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup plain panko
1/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons finely chopped carrots
3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 cremini mushrooms finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh lemongrass
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon tamari sauce or soy sauce
4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon Sriracha
Mix all of these ingredients together and set aside.
Serve meatballs and sauce with Boston lettuce, shredded cabbage, thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced radishes, julienned carrots, and sliced scallions.
Time-Saving Tips: The meatball mixture needs to be refrigerated before shaping. This can be done 3-4 hours in advance. All of the vegetables for the meatballs and for serving can be prepped in advance. The sauce can also be made in advance.
Let's see what we need.
We're ready to cook.
Pour the panko in a small bowl and stir in the chicken broth; let sit. In a larger bowl, mix together the chicken, carrots, shallots, mushrooms, cilantro, ginger, lemongrass, and garlic. Then add the panko mixture, the egg, salt, and pepper. The mixture will be a little soft so refrigerate for an hour so it firms up a bit.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Shape the mixture into 35 meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until just done. Don't overcook or else they will be dry. Once ready place them on a platter with all of the other goodies.
It's ready! Doesn't this look awesome? It so colorful and tastes great. Kids really love these not only because the wraps taste so good but because the kids get to make their own. Give these a try and I know you will love them
Enjoy!