Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Not super hungry and looking for something healthy and light to eat? Chicken lettuce wraps make the perfect light lunch or snack. The water chestnuts, ginger, and garlic are some of the ingredients in the recipe that have great health benefits. Water chestnuts are made of 74% water, which makes them a high-volume food. Following a diet abundant in high-volume foods may help you lose weight, as they can keep you fuller for longer with fewer calories.

As for ginger, it has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to gingerol, the main bioactive compound in ginger which is responsible for much of its medicinal properties. And although garlic is not our friend when it comes to having fresh breath, it carries medicinal properties that help with the common cold and nausea especially resulting from morning sickness.

Personally, I love chicken lettuce wraps. They are fun to make and not too filling! Of course, the recipe can always be altered to your liking. Sometimes, I add hoisin sauce for more flavor. If you are allergic to soy, you can always add lemon juice instead to give some flavor to the mix.

Ingredients 

• - 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil

• - 1 lb ground chicken

• - 6-8 oz. minced baby bella mushrooms

• - 1 can minced water chestnuts or 8 fresh water chestnuts, minced

• - 2 sliced green onions

• - 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

• - 2 minced clove garlic

• - ¼-⅓ cup of soy sauce or coconut aminos

• - Butter lettuce

• - Cilantro (optional)

Instructions: Heat oil in a medium-size pan over medium heat. Add the chicken in the pan and let it cook all the way. Then, add mushrooms, water chestnuts, and green onions. After they cook for 3 to 5 minutes, add ginger, garlic, and ¼-⅓ cups of soy sauce and let them cook for about a minute. Lastly, put the mixture onto butter lettuce leaves.

In Good Health,

Joan O'Keefe, RD and Maria Shen