Football season is right around the corner and I seriously cannot wait!
We don’t watch a whole lot of college football, but I can appreciate it. I do think it is way more exciting to watch than NFL games and sometimes it makes me wish I was back in college again. hehe (maybe that’s why I don’t watch it, it makes me realize how old I’m getting … tear)
Next weekend I have the draft for the All Women’s Fantasy Football League I’m in and I need to get in the spirit. I admit, normally I will do my research for a week before the draft and have all my players picked out. I usually get the players I want during the draft, but as soon as the season starts they all get injured and I’m screwed for the rest of the year!
Have I told you I’m an extremely competitive person! 🙂
Sooo… my strategy this year is to go with the ESPN picks instead of trying to out smart ESPN with my amazing picks that turn into flops! This year… I WILL win!
(enter Krista’s fight song)
Mike cracks up at me during fantasy football season because I get so into it. We have NFL Sunday Ticket and many times I will tell him to switch it to a particular game because I have a player playing that I want to watch. He just looks over at me, smiles and switches.
I know secretly he loves it! hehe
So with all the football talk I figured it was time to whip out a few game day appetizers! Cuz let’s be honest, game day food just makes everyone happy, especially when paired with an ice cold beer! 🙂
Todays recipe is my take on the classic Buffalo Chicken recipes out there – enter the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps.This recipe has all the great buffalo chicken flavor you love but with half the calories.
Warning: Make sure you have a napkin by your side with this one. It is a hot mess to eat, but the flavor can’t be beat. You will keep going up for seconds, thirds, and fourths!
The grill flavor on the buffalo sauce soaked chicken combined with the creamy avocado, sweet tomatoes and the classic ranch flavor is amazing. Now, I know that half way into football season some of you might be covered in 12″ of snow and can’t get to your grills. Never fear, this recipe can easily be adapted. Just throw the marinated chicken in a skillet and cook it up. Easy peasy!
It is light on your tummy but definitely a game day treat that you will want to repeat. We’ve even had this for dinner before! Ah-mazing!
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 6 reviews
Author:Krista
Prep Time:35 mins
Cook Time:10 mins
Total Time:45 mins
Yield:15–20 butter cups 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Grilled
Cuisine:American
Print Recipe
Description
Get game day ready with these healthier low-calorie Grilled Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps! All the same great flavor with half the calories!
Ingredients
Scale
3 large skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2” cubes
3/4 cup franks red hot sauce
15–20 butter lettuce cups
3/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
Add cubed chicken and 1/2 cup franks red hot sauce to a bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat grill to 400 degrees.
Place grill basket directly on grill. Add marinated chicken to grill basket and grill chicken for 8-10 minutes, stirring throughout. (if you don’t have a grill basket, add cubed chicken to a kabob stick)
Remove from grill and place grilled chicken in a bowl, toss with 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce.
Assemble lettuce cups: place butter lettuce cups, 2-3 cubes of chicken, 2-3 diced tomatoes, 2-3 diced avocado, a pinch of green onions, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
Wraps are a simple and easy lunch option that have the potential to be super healthy. Making your own wrap ensures that you control the ingredients and create a diet-friendly meal that you can feel good about eating. Swapping a carb-heavy tortilla with lettuce is a great way to save on calories and carbs.
You can use any type of green leafy lettuce for lettuce wraps, but popular types of lettuce include Boston bib lettuce and romaine hearts. Cabbage leaves or jicima wraps would also work great.
Romaine lettuce is a low-calorie food rich in a variety of nutrients, such as folate, and has a mild flavor. It's not fancy or flashy, but it's versatile, affordable and great for weight loss," she says.
lettuce can help reduce the risk of excess inflammation, which leads to the buildup of fat in the belly. There are many unique plant compounds in romaine lettuce that can stimulate fat-burning activity and prevent bloating.
Fill a large bowl with very hot tap water (around 120°F) and plunge your wilted greens.Let them soak for 10–30 minutes, then drain.Wrap the leaves in a damp towel and chill before using (or if you need them immediately, cool them down in ice water). They'll be perkier than a Pomeranian with a plushie.
Lettuce wraps are much lower in calories than bread, and they are very fresh. Corn Tortillas → Corn tortillas tend to be cleaner than regular bread. You can even use a tortilla to replace a pizza crust which is much lighter option.
Of those total calories in lettuce wraps, 168 of them come straight from sugar. That's more than the American Heart Association recommends that both men and women get in an entire day.
Excess amounts of sugar are why lettuce wraps are high in carbs at restaurants. So, to ensure this recipe was healthier than other lettuce wraps recipes (including P.F. Chang's), I skipped the added sugar altogether. This recipe features a richly-flavored sauce that rivals the original, crunch, and a hint of spice.
There are various types of lettuce available; however, iceberg lettuce has the lowest number of carbs among them. Romaine lettuce can also be considered a low carbohydrate leafy vegetable because the carb content is 3.29 grams per 100 grams. This green vegetable serves many health benefits.
Iceberg lettuce offers a crisp texture and sturdy leaves, suitable for both wraps and sandwiches. Romaine lettuce is another popular choice; its long leaves and crunchy texture are perfect for sandwiches and wraps.
Iceberg lettuce gives the most satisfying crunch! You can also use romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, Boston lettuce, green leaf, or whatever lettuce that you can roll up. You can even use kale or collard greens if that's what you have in your fridge.
Order your burger Protein Style and you'll get your burger sans bun, wrapped in lettuce instead. By far the most beloved In-N-Out menu hack is Animal Style. Order your Double Double (or your Grilled Cheese, Protein Style, etc.)
To wrap things up (no pun intended) Younkin says that wraps can be detrimental to weight loss goals when they're white bread rather than whole-wheat. "It all depends on the ratio of protein and fiber to the total calories. The best option is a whole wheat wrap or bread that's high in fiber and protein," she points out.
Also, choose a whole-wheat or other whole-grain wrap because regularly substituting whole grains for refined options can help you control your weight, according to the the publication "Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010." You can reduce the calorie content of your wrap by using a lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla.
However, they can actually contain more calories and fat than two slices of bread, so they aren't necessarily healthier than a sandwich. That being said, wraps are of course perfectly healthy when eaten as part of a balanced diet. Stuffing it with a range of vegetables is definitely a great lunch choice.
Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking
Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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