Name: Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 ripe mango, thinly sliced; 2 cups thinly shredded purple cabbage; ½ cup packed cilantro, roughly chopped; 2 green onions, whites and tender green parts thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (like sriracha); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos; 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (like sriracha); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 pound ground chicken; 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos; 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs (optional for easier rolling); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 2 green onions, whites and tender green parts thinly sliced; 5 ounces butter lettuce; Sesame seeds for garnish (optional); Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 84 reviews

Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant flavors and delightful textures of this Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe. Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken meatballs glazed in a luscious sauce melt in your mouth while crisp butter lettuce provides a refreshing crunch. The star of the show is the bright, tangy mango slaw that adds a punch of sweetness and zest, bringing all the elements together into an irresistible bite. Whether you’re serving these wraps for a casual lunch, a fun dinner, or as crowd-pleasing appetizers, they promise to be a fresh and flavorful hit at any table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A black pan filled with 16 small round golden-brown meatballs arranged in a circle and in the middle, with visible green herbs inside the meatballs and some browned spots from cooking, sitting on a white marbled surface with a white cloth with black stripes nearby photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe uses simple yet essential ingredients that each play a special role. From aromatic ginger to sweet mango and crisp cabbage, these components work in harmony to create a balanced medley of tastes and textures.

Ripe mango: Offers natural sweetness and juicy brightness to the slaw.
Thinly shredded purple cabbage: Adds a gorgeous color and crunch.
Fresh cilantro: Brings an herby freshness that livens up the dish.
Green onions: Provide mild onion flavor and subtle crunch.
Lime juice: Delivers tangy zest to brighten the slaw and glaze.
Honey: Sweetens both the slaw and meatball glaze perfectly.
Chili garlic sauce (like sriracha): Gives a spicy kick with a touch of garlic.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty depth to the glaze.
Low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos: Lends umami and salty balance to the meat and glaze.
Garlic and ginger: Impart bold aromatics and warmth to the meatballs and glaze.
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the glaze for a perfect cling on the meatballs.
Ground chicken: The protein base that’s tender and juicy.
Panko bread crumbs: Help bind the meatballs and keep them light.
Butter lettuce: The crisp, soft wrap that holds everything beautifully.
Sesame seeds and extra cilantro: Optional garnishes that bring texture and freshness.

How to Make Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Mango Slaw

Start by combining ripe mango slices, shredded purple cabbage, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together lime juice, honey, chili garlic sauce, and kosher salt to create a vibrant dressing. Pour this over the slaw and toss everything until well coated. Cover and refrigerate this refreshing slaw to allow the flavors to mingle while you move on to the meatballs.

Step 2: Make the Meatball Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch. This glaze will transform the meatballs into little pockets of sweet, savory, and spicy goodness with a beautiful sticky coating.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Meatballs

Combine ground chicken, soy sauce, panko, garlic, ginger, and green onions in a large bowl. Using clean hands, gently mix all the ingredients until they are just combined—overmixing can make the meatballs tough. Form the mixture into bite-sized meatballs, about a tablespoon each, ensuring they’re uniform for even cooking.

Step 4: Cook and Glaze the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning them carefully, until they’re golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the prepared glaze. Toss the meatballs gently to coat them fully with the glaze as it thickens and clings beautifully, ensuring every bite bursts with flavor.

Step 5: Assemble the Wraps

Lay out fresh butter lettuce leaves, spoon a few glazed meatballs onto each leaf, and top with a generous helping of the mango slaw. Add sesame seeds or chopped cilantro if desired to elevate the presentation and flavor even more.

How to Serve Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe

The image shows several small wraps made with light green lettuce leaves as the base layer, holding bright purple shredded cabbage and thin orange carrot strips as the second layer. On top of these vegetables, there are small, round pieces of glossy orange glazed meat, sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds. The wraps are arranged closely together on a white marbled surface, creating a colorful and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the finished wraps to add a subtle nutty crunch. Fresh cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lime juice lend brightness and herbaceous notes, making each bite pop with freshness and texture.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with light and refreshing sides like jasmine rice, steamed edamame, or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar. These sides keep the meal balanced and let the flavors of the wraps shine.

Creative Ways to Present

For an inviting appetizer platter, offer the meatballs and slaw separately with an array of lettuce leaves allowing guests to build their own wraps. Another fun idea is to serve the meatballs on skewers with a small bowl of mango slaw on the side for dipping or topping.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover meatballs, mango slaw, and lettuce stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This preserves the crispness of the lettuce and the freshness of the slaw without sogginess. Leftover meatballs stay flavorful for up to three days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked meatballs before glazing. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll maintain their quality for up to two months. It’s best to prepare the glaze fresh when you reheat for the best texture and taste.

Reheating

Reheat meatballs gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding the glaze afterwards to warm and coat them freshly. Avoid microwaving with the glaze already applied, as it can alter the texture. The mango slaw is best served cold and fresh straight from the fridge.

FAQs

Can I substitute ground turkey for the chicken in this recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well and offers a similarly light texture, making it an excellent swap if you prefer its flavor or availability.

What if I don’t have chili garlic sauce?

You can use sriracha alone or mix minced garlic with a bit of hot sauce to mimic the flavor. Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level for a perfect balance.

Is it okay to use iceberg lettuce instead of butter lettuce?

Yes, iceberg lettuce can provide a crisp texture, but butter lettuce is preferred for its soft, pliable leaves that hold fillings better and offer a tender mouthfeel.

Can these wraps be made vegan?

To make a vegan version, try substituting chickpea or lentil-based meatballs and use tamari or a vegan soy sauce alternative. The mango slaw is naturally vegan and packed with flavor.

How spicy is this dish?

It has a mild to moderate heat level mainly from the chili garlic sauce. You can tone down the spice by reducing this ingredient or increase it to suit your heat preference easily.

Final Thoughts

This Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser that brings a fresh twist to familiar flavors. Each element is simple yet thoughtfully combined to create a satisfying and colorful meal that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite dish to make again and again!