Herby minced chicken salad with lime, chili, and toasted rice
Thai Larb Gai Lettuce Cups
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Thai Larb Gai Lettuce Cups
Herby minced chicken salad with lime, chili, and toasted rice
A bright Thai-inspired minced chicken salad packed with lime, herbs, and toasted rice powder, served in crisp lettuce cups for a fast dinner or party platter.
15m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
25m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Larb brings serious flavor for very little cook time. The minced chicken gets just enough heat, while the herbs, lime juice, and toasted rice keep the dish lively and fresh.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp toasted rice powder
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mint leaves
- Butter lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
- 1
Cook the ground chicken in the oil, breaking it up, until just done and still tender.
- 2
Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and toasted rice powder.
- 3
Fold in the shallots and mint so they stay bright and fresh.
- 4
Taste and add more lime juice or fish sauce if needed.
- 5
Serve warm or room temperature in lettuce cups.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Substitutions
MintCilantro
Cilantro changes the profile slightly but still works well
Butter lettuceCabbage cups or rice
Both turn it into more of a full meal than a hand-held bite
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Fish Sauce
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the fish sauce matters
This dish leans on fish sauce for a lot of its savory depth, so the bottle you use has more impact than most pantry upgrades.
This is one of the few ingredients here that noticeably changes the final dish.
- Builds the backbone of the sauce
- Useful well beyond this recipe
A better bottle makes a real difference here and pays off across Vietnamese and Thai cooking.
Shop fish sauce for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Toast glutinous rice in a dry skillet until golden, then grind it for the most authentic flavor.
A few sliced Thai chilies make it hotter without changing the balance.
Storage
Refrigerate the filling for up to 3 days. Store the lettuce separately.
Reheating
Serve chilled or let it come toward room temperature; it does not need much reheating.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 serving) · 4 servings
Calories240
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein24g
Carbohydrates5g
Fat13g
Fiber1g
Sugar2g
Sodium720mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this with turkey?
- Yes. Turkey is a common and easy stand-in for chicken here.
- Is larb usually eaten hot or cold?
- Either. It is often served warm or at cool room temperature.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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