If you are looking for a vibrant and delicious way to spice up your weeknight dinners, this Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite. It perfectly balances a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce with tender ground chicken and fresh veggies, all wrapped in crisp, refreshing butter lettuce leaves. Whether you want a light lunch or a fun appetizer for your next gathering, these wraps bring together texture, color, and flavor in such an irresistible way that everyone will keep coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is carefully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture, creating a dish that’s not only tasty but balanced and colorful. The mix of sauces brings sweetness, tang, and umami, while the fresh vegetables add crunch and brightness.
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce: Adds a sweet and tangy base with a bold Asian flair.
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce: Provides savory depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar: Introduces gentle acidity to lift the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Sweetens the mixture naturally and balances salty ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter: Brings richness and a subtle nutty creaminess to the sauce.
- 1/2 tablespoon sweet chili sauce: Adds a mild spicy kick for excitement and complexity.
- 1 tablespoon oil: Choose peanut, olive, or neutral vegetable oil to help cook the chicken beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil: Infuses a wonderful nutty aroma that’s key to authentic flavor.
- 1 lb ground chicken: The lean protein base that soaks up every bit of the delicious sauce.
- 1 medium onion (finely diced): Provides sweetness and a bit of texture contrast.
- 3 cloves garlic (minced): Essential for fragrant, savory depth.
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (or 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger): Gives a zesty, warming spice note.
- 1 (8-oz) can water chestnuts (drained and finely diced): Adds an unexpected crunchy surprise.
- 1 small red bell pepper (finely diced): Brings a burst of color and mild sweetness.
- 1/2 cup grated carrots: Adds natural sweetness and great texture.
- 2-3 green onions (thinly sliced): For fresh, mild onion notes and garnish appeal.
- Butter lettuce leaves (about 1-2 heads): The crisp, tender wraps making this dish fun and fresh.
- 1/4 cup peanuts (crushed, optional garnish): Adds crunch and a savory finishing touch.
How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sauce
Start by whisking together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, peanut butter, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl until perfectly smooth. This unique combination is the heart of the Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe and sets the tone with its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy character.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the oils in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground chicken. Break it up as it cooks to ensure even browning. This step locks in flavor and gives the dish its satisfying meaty base. Cooking the chicken just right is crucial to the texture of the final wrap filling.
Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables
Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the diced onion, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger to the empty side. Cooking these ingredients together until fragrant brings an essential aromatic quality that makes the dish irresistible. Then stir in water chestnuts, red bell pepper, and grated carrots. These veggies add crunch and a lovely pop of color that make each bite exciting and refreshing.
Step 4: Combine Chicken Mixture with Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring carefully to coat everything evenly. Let this simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken just enough to cling to all the ingredients. This stage is where all the tastes harmonize, creating that signature flavor you’ll love in the Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Spoon generous portions of the chicken mixture into each butter lettuce leaf. Top with thinly sliced green onions and crushed peanuts if you like extra texture and nutty notes. Serve these wraps immediately to enjoy their crisp freshness and warm filling at the same time. It’s hands-on, fun, and absolutely delicious!
How to Serve Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
Green onions and crushed peanuts are classic garnishes, providing freshness and crunch. Feel free to sprinkle fresh cilantro or a drizzle of sriracha if you’re in the mood for a little herbal brightness or heat. These finishing touches really elevate the experience and allow you to customize the wraps to your taste.
Side Dishes
These wraps pair beautifully with light sides like steamed jasmine rice or a crisp cucumber salad to add cool contrast. A bowl of miso soup or some pickled vegetables can also complement the vibrant flavors and bring balance to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving these wraps picnic-style with each guest assembling their own at the table. You can also add shredded purple cabbage or edible flowers for a delightful pop of color. Wrapping the chicken mix in collard greens or spinach leaves works well if you want to switch up the greens but still keep that fresh bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep the cooked chicken mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Store the lettuce leaves separately wrapped in paper towels to maintain their crispness. This way, you can enjoy the wraps fresh at your convenience without losing any texture.
Freezing
The chicken filling freezes well if placed in a sealed freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to two months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. The lettuce leaves don’t freeze well, so always add those fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
Warm the chicken filling gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally to heat evenly without drying out. Reheat just enough to enjoy the flavors but keep it moist and tender. Fresh lettuce leaves ensure the wraps remain crisp and refreshing with every bite.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in this Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe and offers a similar texture and flavor profile. Just cook it the same way you would the chicken.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a mild spicy kick from the sweet chili sauce, but it is not overly spicy. You can adjust the amount of chili sauce or add extra sriracha if you want to turn up the heat.
What if I don’t have water chestnuts?
You can substitute water chestnuts with diced celery to maintain the crunchy texture. While the flavor differs slightly, celery adds a nice fresh crunch to the wraps.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Replace the ground chicken with crumbled firm tofu or cooked lentils and adjust cooking times accordingly. Use vegetable-based sauces or tamari to keep flavors rich and savory.
What type of lettuce is best for these wraps?
Butter lettuce is ideal due to its soft, flexible leaves and mild flavor. It holds the filling perfectly without tearing and adds a refreshing crunch that complements the savory chicken mixture.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is truly a delightful and approachable meal that combines fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and fun presentation all in one. It’s perfect for quick dinners or impressing guests with something a little different but thoroughly delicious. I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try—once you do, it just might become a beloved staple in your recipe collection!
Print
Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 wraps
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Delicious and healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps featuring ground chicken cooked with a flavorful blend of hoisin, soy sauce, and spices, served crisp in fresh butter lettuce leaves for a light and satisfying meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/2 tablespoon sweet chili sauce (or more to taste)
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon oil (peanut, olive or neutral vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 medium onion (finely diced, about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (or 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 (8-oz) can water chestnuts (drained and finely diced)
- 1 small red bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1/2 cup grated carrots (about 1 small-medium carrot)
- 2–3 green onions (thinly sliced)
To Serve
- Butter lettuce leaves (about 1-2 heads)
- 1/4 cup peanuts (crushed, optional garnish)
Instructions
- Make sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, peanut butter, and sweet chili sauce until smooth. Set aside for later use.
- Cook chicken: Heat oil and toasted sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove excess grease if necessary to keep mixture from being greasy.
- Sauté aromatics and vegetables: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. On the open side, add diced onion, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Cook until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes. Stir the aromatics into the chicken, then mix in diced water chestnuts, red bell pepper, and grated carrots. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.
- Combine with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Then remove from heat.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into each butter lettuce leaf. Garnish with sliced green onions and crushed peanuts if desired. Serve immediately for best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Adjust the sweet chili sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- Use ground turkey or tofu as substitutes for chicken for different dietary preferences.
- Make sure to drain excess grease after cooking chicken to prevent sogginess.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep lettuce crisp.
- These wraps make great party appetizers or light main meals.
