Larb Gai Thai Lettuce Wraps

These Larb Gai Thai Lettuce Wraps will have you hooked on their spicy, zesty flavor. Ground chicken combines with plenty of fresh mint, lime juice and lemongrass for a healthy Thai dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Do you ever find yourself with a craving for a certain type of food? For me, when I’ve got a craving, it’s generally one of two things – Pasta or Thai food. Pasta was a natural for me, I grew up next door to my Italian Nana and Nanu who were to of the most amazing cooks. We had pasta with suco just about every night… The Thai food came later for me.

I’ve been building my collection of Thai recipes that are easy to make at home and taste great. And, along the way, I’ve found a few key ingredients that tend to make their way into all Thai dishes – Citrus, mint, chiles and fish sauce.

Fish sauce can tend to scare people off… It’s not hard to find.. You’ll locate it right in your normal supermarket, near the Asian foods section. But then, you’ll get home, open the bottle, smell it and… Honestly – It kind of reeks. But, I promise, once it gets combined with the other ingredients, it just takes on a nice, salty, mellow taste that can’t be replicated by anything else. I’ve even found myself adding more at the end of my recipes just to kick up that salty, nutty flavor that it gives just teeny bit more. Give it a go – I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Mingling along with the saltiness of the fish sauce comes the bright, citrus flavor – And, we’re not just talking a tiny bit of citrus… We’re hitting this recipe with lime juice, lemon juice and lemongrass. Lots and lots of great flavor and acidity that plays really well with those sweet and salty flavors going on in this dish. I will confess that lemongrass can be a bit difficult to find, but I have found it at many grocery stores packaged alongside the fresh herbs. And, while there’s no true substitute for the distinct flavor of lemongrass, you could try swapping in some lemon zest in its place, to taste.

This meal is healthy, quick to make, and totally tasty. It’s on regular repeat for weekday cooking at our house, and the leftovers make a great lunch the next day too. Have you tried Larb Gai before? What’s your favorite thai dish?

Larb Gai Thai Lettuce Wraps

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Platings & Pairings

These Larb Gai Lettuce Wraps will have you hooked on their spicy, zesty flavor. Ground chicken combines with plenty of fresh mint, lime juice and lemongrass for a healthy Thai dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp fish sauce
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice from 2-3 limes
• 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 red onion minced
• 3 shallots thinly sliced
• 1 leaves stalk Lemongrass tough outer removed and minced (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 serrano chile thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 leaves head butter lettuce separated
• Radishes chopped, for serving (optional)
• Cooked rice for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, lemon juice, fish sauce and honey. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, shallots, lemongrass, chile, and salt, to taste. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chicken. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat and vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the dressing to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mint. Season with additional fish sauce, salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Spoon the chicken mixture onto the lettuce leaves.
6. Serve with rice.

Wine Pairings for Larb Gai (Thai Chicken Salad with Chiles and Lime):

• Try a dry Riesling or Gewurztraminer a try with this this dish – Both great go-to wines with spicy dishes.

Looking for more Thai dishes to make at home? Give this Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles), Thai Beef Salad or Thai Brussels Sprouts Salad a try!

Note: This recipe was originally published on Platings and Pairings in November 2014 – It was updated in January 2017 to update the pictures. The recipe remains the same.