Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups

This Asian restaurant favorite couldn't be easier to make! The combination of the crunchy iceberg lettuce, fragrance of ginger and garlic, and sweetness from the hoisin sauce makes these wraps a perfect bite. This recipe can be turned into wonderful appetizers by simply spooning the chicken into smaller lettuce cups -- they're sure to be a crowd pleaser.

The simplicity of this dish is what makes it memorable and something you will make again and again. To streamline the recipe even further, instead of diced chicken you could use ground chicken; even ground pork would work nicely in this recipe.

If you can find fresh shiitake mushrooms, use them instead of dried ones. Dried shiitakes, readily available in Asian markets, need to be rehydrated in warm water before using. Save the soaking liquid. You can use a few tablespoons in the sauce to add a layer of depth and flavor to the dish.

Iceberg lettuce is the clear winner for these cups. With its natural cup shape, it's the perfect vehicle to hold the chicken mixture and adds just the right amount of crunch. Finishing off the dish with a few cilantro leaves helps to brighten the dish and round out the flavors.

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