Easy Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups
Easy Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups are an easy, low-carb dish bursting with Jamaican-inspired flavors and ready in 20 minutes!
Are you in a chicken dinner rut?
If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Honestly, how many times can one make chicken and rice in a week?
The answer to our boring chicken dinner dilemma is a Jerk marinade. Have you ever tried making it at home? I’ve actually used this Jamaican-inspired marinade in quite a few dishes on this blog like – Jerk Chicken Pizza, Jerk Chicken Thighs, Grilled Roasted American Lamb Loins, and now these Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups.
The beauty of this marinade is that it’s made in a blender, can be whipped up ahead of time and the longer the chicken sits in the marinade the better it will taste. Again, simple, flavorful, and will kick up your weeknight dinner game!
Let’s dive in!
What is Jerk Chicken
Jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican dish known for its flavorful and spicy taste. The dish is traditionally made by marinating chicken in a mixture of spices and herbs, including scallions, thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, and Scotch bonnet peppers.
After marinating, the chicken is typically grilled or smoked over wood which contributes to the unique smoky flavor of jerk chicken.
Jerk seasoning is not limited to chicken; it can also be used with other meats like pork, beef, or fish. Jerk chicken is often served with traditional Jamaican side dishes such as rice and peas or fried plantains.
What is a Scotch Bonnet Pepper
The Scotch bonnet pepper is a variety of chili pepper known for its distinctively hot and spicy flavor. The Scotch bonnet is often used in Caribbean and West African cuisines to add heat and flavor to dishes.
For today’s recipe, I will be substituting the traditional Scotch Bonnet Pepper which is used in the original Jerk marinade with a jalapeno. Living in Denver, I had a hard time finding a Scotch Bonnet pepper so it was the best substitute.
Ingredients to Make Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups
Only a few ingredients stand in your way of making these Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups. You will need the following ingredients to make the marinade and the lettuce cups:
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Water
- Jalapeno
- Lime Juice
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Allspice
- Dried thyme
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground chicken
- Butter lettuce
How to Make Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups
Instead of serving Jerk chicken with rice or bread, we are going to place the chicken inside lettuce leaves, creating a low-carb and fresh alternative. Follow these simple steps to create a flavorful meal:
- In a blender, add the green onions, garlic cloves, water, jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil, brown sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Next, preheat your skillet to medium high heat. Add olive oil and ground chicken to the skillet. Cook the chicken until no longer pink about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour the marinade into the skillet and gently combine with the chicken. If you need to add a splash of water to help thin out the marinade that’s okay. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and simmer for about three to four minutes until the marinade is well incorporated with the chicken. Turn off the heat.
- Place a few pieces of butter lettuce on a serving platter. Top each piece with a big spoonful of Jerk ground chicken. Garnish with green onions.
Variations of Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups
There are various ways to customize and create different variations of jerk chicken lettuce cups based on personal preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas for variations:
Tropical Fruit Salsa: Top the jerk chicken with a fresh tropical fruit salsa, including diced mango, pineapple, and red bell pepper.
Avocado Crema: Drizzle or dollop a creamy avocado crema on top of the jerk chicken for a cool and rich contrast to the heat. You can make the crema by blending avocado with Greek yogurt or sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
Pickled Vegetables: Add a tangy and crunchy element by incorporating pickled vegetables, such as pickled red onions, carrots, or jalapeños. The acidity from the pickles will balance the heat of the jerk seasoning.
Coconut Rice Base: Instead of serving the jerk chicken in lettuce cups alone, create a base of coconut rice and place the jerk chicken on top. This adds a comforting and complementary element to the dish.
Proper Storing
Here are some guidelines on how to store the Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups:
- Refrigeration: If you have leftover jerk chicken lettuce cups, place them in an airtight container. Consume jerk chicken lettuce cups within a day or two.
- Lettuce Leaves: Place the lettuce leaves in a separate container or seal them in a plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture
Easy Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Green onions, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Water
- 1 large Jalapeno, seeds removed, roughly chopped (*if you have a Scotch bonnet please use!)
- 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground allspice
- 1 tsp Dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 lbs Ground chicken
- Butter lettuce leaves
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, add the green onions, garlic cloves, water, jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil, brown sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Next, preheat your skillet to medium high heat. Add olive oil and ground chicken to the skillet. Cook the chicken until no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes. Pour the marinade into the skillet and gently combine with the chicken. If you need to add a splash of water to help thin out the marinade that’s okay. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and simmer for about three to four minutes until the marinade is well incorporated with the chicken. Turn off the heat.
- Place a few pieces of butter lettuce on a serving platter. Top each piece with a big spoonful of Jerk ground chicken. Garnish with green onions or sour cream.
