Name: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Zesty Dipping Sauce & Crisp Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Juice of 1 lime; Wooden or metal skewers (soaked if wooden); 1 head butter lettuce or romaine lettuce, leaves separated; Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish); Sesame seeds (for garnish); 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (for sauce); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (for sauce); 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey (for sauce); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (for sauce); 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for sauce); 1 clove garlic, minced (for sauce); 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (for sauce); Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for sauce); 2 tablespoons water (to thin sauce, if needed)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1
In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (if using), and lime juice. Whisk well.
2
Add cubed chicken to the marinade, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
3
While chicken marinates, prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar/honey, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp grated ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Add water if needed to reach desired consistency. Set aside.
4
If using wooden skewers, ensure they are soaked. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a small space between pieces.
5
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan.
6
Place chicken skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C) and has nice char marks.
7
Remove skewers from grill and let rest for a few minutes. Arrange chicken on a platter with separated lettuce leaves. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds.
8
Serve immediately with the zesty dipping sauce on the side for building individual lettuce wraps.

💡 Notes

Chicken thighs tend to stay juicier than breasts. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. The dipping sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Leftover chicken and sauce store well separately for up to 3 days.

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Zesty Dipping Sauce & Crisp Lettuce Wraps