Jerk Chicken Lettuce Cups (Printable)

Spiced chicken with mango salsa and coconut drizzle served in crisp lettuce cups for a fresh bite.

# Components:

→ Jerk Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Mango Salsa

06 - 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
07 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
11 - Juice of 1 lime
12 - Pinch of salt

→ Coconut Crema

13 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons coconut milk
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 1/2 teaspoon honey, optional
17 - Pinch of salt

→ To Serve

18 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves or romaine hearts
19 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
20 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine chicken thighs, jerk seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, and salt. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes to develop flavor.
02 - While chicken marinates, combine diced mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix gently and set aside.
03 - Whisk together Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt, coconut milk, lime juice, honey if using, and salt until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes until fully cooked through and lightly charred. Remove from heat.
05 - Place lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon jerk chicken into each leaf, top with mango salsa, and drizzle generously with coconut crema. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can impress people without spending your entire evening in the kitchen.
  • It tastes like you've mastered Caribbean cooking, but honestly, the jerk seasoning does most of the heavy lifting for you.
  • Lettuce cups are naturally gluten-free and feel lighter than bread, so you walk away satisfied rather than sluggish.
  • Every bite has textural contrast: crispy lettuce, tender chicken, fresh crunch from the salsa, and that creamy coconut finish.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating step even though 15 minutes seems short—the lime juice and salt actually begin breaking down the chicken's proteins, making it more tender than if you'd cooked it immediately.
  • The mango salsa will release liquid the longer it sits, so if you're making it ahead, drain it gently before serving or it'll make your lettuce cups soggy.
  • Warm chicken in cool lettuce is a textural magic trick that actually works, but assemble just before eating rather than building everything in advance.
03 -
  • Buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it if you're short on time—the jerk seasoning will still coat it beautifully and you'll skip the cooking step entirely.
  • Keep your mango salsa components prepped and in separate containers so you can assemble it fresh just before serving, which keeps everything crisp and prevents sogginess.
  • Toast your jerk seasoning in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing it with the chicken if you want to wake up the spices and deepen their flavor.
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