Guilt-Free Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These simple Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a perfect alternative to a Chinese takeaway.  Not only are they GUILT-FREE & totally waistline friendly, they’re so quick and easy to prepare, so there’s no waiting around for that takeaway to arrive!  Whilst I definitely don’t advocate cutting out carbohydrates (anyone who’s read MY BOOK will know!), this is a great low-carb meal for the days when you are looking for something a little lighter.

Chicken (especially lean chicken breast) is a great source of satiating protein, low in both calories and fat and is incredibly versatile.  It is also a very good source of niacin (which is important for energy production, fat, cholesterol & carbohydrate metabolism, and the production of sex & adrenal hormones), selenium (which helps prevent free-radical damage, thereby reducing the risk of cancers, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases & premature ageing), vitamin B6 (critical in maintaining a healthy nervous system, red blood cells, hormonal balance & proper immune function) and phosphorus (essential in an abundance of bodily functions including energy metabolism, DNA synthesis & calcium absorption).

The peanut butter sauce makes the perfect nutty accompaniment to these wraps – it’s not only totally delicious, but super good for you too.  Nuts have many nutritional benefits (you can read all about these in my ‘Nuts About Nuts’ post HERE).  Peanuts, in particular, are packed with protein, healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats, satiating fibre, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants, such as vitamin E.  All of this contributes to healthy and strong skin, hair, nails and muscles (including the heart), lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as increasing satiety and sustaining energy.

So there you have it, put the takeaway menu aside and try this recipe instead… I assure you, you won’t be disappointed! 😉 xx

Recipe

Serves 2

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts (around 150g each), cooked as desired
2 Little Gem lettuces, leaves separated and washed
4 spring onions, trimmed and cut into very thin matchsticks
½ cucumber, cut into very thin matchsticks
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks
Sesame seeds, to garnish

Sauce
4 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
1 tbsp Thai sweet chilli dipping sauce
1 tbsp low sodium soya sauce
Juice of 1 lime

Cut the cooked chicken breasts into thin slices and set aside.  To make the peanut sauce,  put the peanut butter in a small bowl and add 3 tbsp of boiling water – stir vigorously until thick and smooth.  Then add the sweet chilli sauce, lime juice and soya sauce, and mix together well.  Put into a small serving bowl to serve.  On a large serving tray,  place the chicken, lettuce leaves, cucumber, spring onions and carrot sticks in separate piles, with the peanut sauce alongside.

When ready to tuck in – put some chicken slices into the lettuce leaves, top with the vegetables and peanut sauce. Enjoy!! 😋