This easy larb recipe with chicken is so easy to make, fresh ingredients perfect as a side dish or main dish. The taste is very refreshing, combination of fresh ingredients: mint leaves, cilantro, lemongrass, lime juice.
Wrapping a meal in lettuce or cabbage leaves dates back hundreds of years in Asia, but really didn’t become too popular in the US until more recently (likely when lettuce wraps from a larger chain became quite popular). I’m a big proponent of using lettuce or cabbage to wrap up food. First of all it’s a lot more fun than using a fork or spoon and a great way to consume healthy, leafy vegetables. Each bite has a nice contrast too of being milder at first then getting to the juicy vegetables, meat and spices inside a split-second later.
I have tried different larb or similar recipes from a number of countries in Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The below recipe has a couple of items sourced from Thailand, but takes inspiration from all of these countries.
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
- 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (add more according to your liking)
- 1/2 -1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced Thai chilies or serrano chilies or ½ teaspoon Thai hot chili powder
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 15 leaves whole mint
- Fresh cabbage washed
- Place a skillet over high heat and and add low sodium chicken broth. Bring to boil and add ground chicken. Stir continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until chicken is browned or cooked through about 6 minutes.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
- Mix fish sauce, fresh lime juice, sugar, red onions and lemongrass in a mixing bowl, then add cooked ground chicken. Stir until well-mixed.
- Stir in fresh mint leaves and cilantro right before serving and spoon the mixture into the cabbage to serve.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
Mar 28, 2016 at 10:47 amThat sounds like a great recipe!I think my whole family would enjoy this meal, so I will definitely be tryng it.
MyTeenGuide
Mar 28, 2016 at 11:01 amI’m always on the lookout for chicken recipes. I’ve never had this one before. I can’t wait to try this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
Mar 28, 2016 at 11:01 amThat looks so yummy! I’ve never made anything like this before, but I love the texture and look. I can’t wait to give this one a try.
Jeanette
Mar 28, 2016 at 1:16 pmI am trying to eat more lettuce and less bread I am still a work in progress though I bought the wrong lettuce (too big), but I have actually enjoyed it and not missing the bread really all that much. This looks awesome!
ninjette102
Mar 28, 2016 at 2:59 pmthat sounds so delicious! I love salads and can’t wait to try this out! thanks!
Liz Mays
Mar 28, 2016 at 3:20 pmI’m loving all of the veggies in this recipe. I’d love to try making this. The hint of spice sounds really good.
Travel Blogger
Mar 28, 2016 at 5:58 pmWhat a great and easy recipe! I love stuff like this that is quick and healthy for dinner.
NPC
Mar 29, 2016 at 7:22 amGreat recipe! My in-law make this all the time! So yummy! Definitely have to eat it with lettuce!
Garf
Mar 29, 2016 at 7:31 amThat looks so good and a healthy meal too. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Chubskulit Rose
Mar 29, 2016 at 7:41 amThere’s a magic from lime juice that makes any kitchen dish so delicious! This sopunds and looks tasty.
Lynndee
Mar 29, 2016 at 10:44 amThis sounds so delicious. And with lemongrass in it, I bet it smells divine too. Now I’m so hungry!
wemake7
Mar 29, 2016 at 10:55 amThat looks fantastic! I would love to try this with my family. Thanks for the recipe.
mary edwards
Mar 29, 2016 at 11:33 amThis looks like a recipe my family will love. You take amazing pictures by the way. Big bold and beautiful shareable shots
Ann Bacciaglia
Mar 29, 2016 at 12:52 pmThis looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients i need to make it this week.
Krystal @ Sunny Sweet Days
Mar 30, 2016 at 6:27 amThis is a new way to prepare chicken for me! It looks like I could follow the instructions to recreate this, and it looks SO yummy!
CourtneyLynne
Mar 30, 2016 at 1:02 pmOooo this is definitely a unique dish!!! Looks so yummy though. Definitely need to give this a try!
Marvelous Mommy
Mar 30, 2016 at 4:39 pmYour pictures are beautiful! I will have to try this recipe!
Ricci
Mar 31, 2016 at 6:18 amUsually low carb recipes are boring but it looks like you have nailed this one!! Great job!!
Kim
Nov 18, 2017 at 7:47 pmI just made this tonight. I have to say the amount of fish sauce it calls for is too much. If you do 2T instead of 1/3 cup and increase the broth to 1/3 cup it will be delicious. I’m sorry, but the fish sauce ruined it for me. I will try again!
rika agustini
Nov 18, 2017 at 10:19 pmHi Kim,
Thanks a lot for sharing your feedback. I am very curious as which brand of fish sauce did you use? Do you know the brand and/or the general type (Thai fish sauce, Vietnamese, Filipino fish sauce, etc.)? I’ll make sure to edit the recipe, so readers can decide if they need to adjust the amount of fish sauce. I’m taking your comment to heart as with many of my recipes I strive for a lighter taste that’s never hidden by the sauce, dressing, etc. so thanks again. Rika