Super Bowl Snacks: Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

When I go to a super bowl party, I don't want to eat chips with queso dip (ew), chili, hot dogs or chicken wings.

I know it's tradition, but can we please step it up a bit?

Since I'm not a big fan of football, unless the NY teams are playing, I just go for the food, which is usually a big disappointment (sorry).

I made a big pot of chicken soup this week, and had enough shredded chicken for the soup and 2 other meals, so I came up with a great way to use up the meat.

These are the perfect Super Bowl appetizer!
Many of you have asked me for some super bowl ideas, so here they are. Dig in! (You can also visit my mini BLT's, and the Caprese Skewers.....also easy appetizers).

Everyone seems to be on a low carb or gluten-free diet, so they can indulge too.

My husband said it was his new favorite lunch, can I make them all the time?
No.

You can make any version of chicken salad you like to fill the lettuce cups, even one with mayo, but these are a fresh and healthy alternative to mayo and have delicious Asian flavors.

Since I used chicken that was boiled for 3 hours (from making soup), it was nice and moist.

A good idea would be to boil up some chicken thighs with skin and bones in a pot of water for an hour or more. Throw in an onion, some carrots, celery and peppercorns if you like, so you can use the liquid for stock for later. The chicken will be super moist.

If you don't feel like going thru the chicken soup process, then just buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it up, discarding the skin and bones. (lazy bones).
Or, use leftover roast chicken. It's all good.

I used Kikoman Ponzu sauce with lime, which someone sent me to try, so I had it. I actually liked the citrus flavor in it, but you can use regular soy sauce.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps:

Romaine lettuce hearts, trimmed and halved
1+ cups of cooked, shredded chicken
handful of chopped scallion (green parts only)
1 peeled carrot, grated
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp soy sauce (I used Kikoman Ponzu sauce w/ lime)
1 tbsp sesame oil
squeeze of fresh lime juice
1 tsp honey
salt & pepper
chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for garnish

Cut the Romaine leaves in half, so you have 2 boats to fill for each lettuce heart.

Mix the shredded chicken in a bowl with the other ingredients. Taste for seasonings. Season with a little salt & pepper.

Spoon the chicken salad into the lettuce boats and arrange on a platter.

Sprinkle w/ chopped peanuts and cilantro.

You could add water chestnuts or peas, whatever you like. There is no science, but these flavors worked beautifully together.

Put them out and watch them disappear!

Enjoy!

Share|