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+ servings

Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chili Lime Chicken Tacos on a plate
Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are tender grilled chicken marinated in bright citrus flavors with a kick of spicy heat.  These chili lime chicken tacos are the perfect combination of bold spicy flavor and fresh ingredients to make for the perfect light and healthy low-carb meal.
Heather - A Wicked Whisk
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 35 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

Chili Lime Marinade

  • 5 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 7 large garlic cloves ... paper removed, crushed
  • 2-3 limes ... juiced and zested
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 2-3 tablespoons sriracha sauce .. to taste

Chicken Tacos

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 8 large romaine lettuce leaves

Toppings

  • 4 ounces cojita crumbling cheese
  • 8 ounces salsa
  • 1 lime .. sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro .. diced

Instructions

  • To make Chili Lime Chicken Tacos, start by adding soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice and lime zest, crushed fresh garlic, spices and sriracha to a large ziptop bag. 
  • Wash, dry and if needed, slice chicken lengthwise and then add to the ziptop bag with your chili lime marinade. Push out the extra air and seal tightly. Move your chicken around to make sure everything is covered in marinade, add your bag to a bowl or pan large enough to hold your chicken and move to the refrigeratore for 1-2 hours. 
  • Once marinated, prepare your grilling method. To make using a grill pan , spray the grill pan with non-stick spray and heat over high heat. Remove your chicken from the marinade (do not discard the marinade!) and add your chicken breasts to the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes each side and then finish them off in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. 
  • While your chicken is cooking, pour the saved chili lime marinade into a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes and then lower the heat to medium low to simmer while your chicken cooks. Your marinade will start to reduce and thicken slightly. It is imperative you bring the marinade to a full rolling boil to kill any foodborne bacteria. 
  • Once your chicken is cooked, remove from the oven and let sit 5 minutes. Using two forks, shred your chicken breasts and top with the marinade sauce and mix together. Lay out the romaine lettuce leaves and add your chili lime chicken and any toppings your like. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pro Tips for Chili Lime Chicken Wraps

  • Add your large zip-top bag to a large measuring cup or tumbler.. makes it much easier to add your marinade ingredients without the bag tipping over.
  • To easily crush your garlic cloves, simply place your garlic clove on a flat surface, lay a large knife or cutting board on top and using the heel of your hand, push / pound down to crush your clove.  Remove the paper peel and add to your marinade.
  • Leftovers?  This Chili Lime Chicken reheats beautifully with just a minute or two in the microwave or heated up in a saucepan on the stove.  Repurpose your chicken in a salad, more chicken tacos or if you have a lot left over or made a double batch, perfect in enchiladas!
  • Carbs are life and you don't need no stinkin' lettuce wraps?  Word! ... substitute the lettuce leaf with your favorite corn or flour tortillas and live your best life, my friend!
  • Not a fan of chicken tacos?  That's cool.. this chili lime marinade works perfectly with flank steak of pork butt. Simply marinate your meat overnight and cook per your favorite method.
  • Don't know how to top your Chili Lime Chicken Tacos?  Check out a few of these suggestions: corn salsa, pineapple jalapeno salsa, tomato salsa, tangy cabbage slaw and garlic cilantro sauce.
  • This recipe calls for boiling off the used marinade to make a thicker sauce to top your grilled chicken with.  It is completely safe but if it makes you uncomfortable, feel free to reserve out some of the marinade prior to adding in your chicken so that your have it to use for the sauce later on.
  • This marinade can be made as mild or spicy as you like. The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of cayenne and 2-3 tablespoons of sriracha ... feel free to use less or even more depending on your taste for spicy.