Craving a light yet satisfying meal that’s bursting with flavor and won’t leave you feeling sluggish? Forget those heavy takeout menus, because these vibrant Chicken Lettuce Wraps are about to become your new weeknight obsession, offering a symphony of savory chicken, crisp veggies, and a tantalizing sauce all nestled in refreshing lettuce cups; get ready to experience a healthy and delicious dinner you can whip up in minutes – I promise, you’ll be hooked!
Gather Your Ingredients
Protein Powerhouse
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Flavor Boosters
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
Sauce Sensation
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more, to taste)
Lettuce Love
- 1 head of butter lettuce (or romaine), leaves separated and washed
Optional Extras
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- Peanuts, chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Let’s Prep the Chicken
Okay, friend, let’s get this chicken cooking! This is the foundation of our amazing lettuce wraps, so let’s make sure it’s packed with flavor.
Browning the Ground Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease – we want that chicken lean and mean!
Building the Flavor Base
This is where the magic happens! Don’t skimp on these aromatics – they’re the secret to a restaurant-quality taste.
Sautéing the Aromatics
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Veggies and Crunch
We’re adding some color, texture, and nutrients! Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies, but I highly recommend the water chestnuts for that satisfying crunch.
Adding the Veggies
- Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped water chestnuts to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the bell pepper is slightly softened.
Crafting the Sauce
This is the heart and soul of the dish! Feel free to adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking.
Mixing the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar (or honey), and sriracha.
Marrying the Flavors
Now, let’s bring it all together! This is where the flavors meld and create that irresistible Chicken Lettuce Wraps experience.
Combining Everything
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet.
- Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and everything is heated through.
- Stir in the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Assembling Your Lettuce Wraps
Alright, we’ve got all our components ready. Now it’s time for the fun part – assembling those beautiful lettuce wraps!
Assembling the Wraps
- Carefully separate the lettuce leaves. Choose the ones that are large and sturdy enough to hold the filling.
- Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture into each lettuce cup.
- Garnish with extra green onions, cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts, if desired.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Lettuce Wraps
Here are a few secrets I’ve learned along the way to ensure your Chicken Lettuce Wraps are always a hit!
Choosing the Right Lettuce
Butter lettuce (also known as Boston or Bibb lettuce) is my go-to for lettuce wraps because of its soft, pliable leaves and mild flavor. Romaine lettuce is another good option if you prefer a bit more crunch.
Making it Vegetarian or Vegan
Easily adapt this recipe by swapping the ground chicken for crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat. Just be sure to press the tofu to remove excess water before cooking. You can also use a vegetarian hoisin sauce to ensure it’s completely vegan.
Adjusting the Spice Level
Not a fan of spice? Reduce or omit the sriracha. Want to kick it up a notch? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
Making it Ahead
You can prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it before serving. However, I recommend assembling the lettuce wraps just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
Spice It Up with Variations
Feeling adventurous? Let’s explore some fun ways to customize your Chicken Lettuce Wraps!
Peanut Sauce Power
Drizzle a creamy peanut sauce over the chicken mixture for an extra layer of flavor. You can find pre-made peanut sauce at most grocery stores, or you can easily make your own by combining peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and water.
Sweet and Sour Sensation
Add a splash of pineapple juice or a few chunks of fresh pineapple to the chicken mixture for a tropical twist.
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Transform this recipe into Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps by adding some rice noodles.
Complete the Meal
Want to make it a full-blown feast? Here are some delicious sides to pair with your Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Fresh Spring Rolls
These light and refreshing rolls are the perfect complement to the savory lettuce wraps. Serve them with a peanut dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Asian Cucumber Salad
A cool and crisp cucumber salad with a tangy vinaigrette will cleanse your palate and balance the richness of the chicken mixture.
Steamed Edamame
These little green soybeans are packed with protein and fiber, making them a healthy and satisfying side dish. Sprinkle them with sea salt for a simple yet delicious snack.
Other Flavorful Chicken Dishes
If you’re loving the Asian-inspired flavors, here are a few other chicken recipes you might enjoy:
- Thai Chicken Cabbage Skillet: A quick and easy one-pan meal packed with veggies and flavor.
- Chicken & Green Bean Stir-fry: A classic stir-fry that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry: Another great option for a quick and healthy meal.
- Chicken Wraps: Try another take on chicken wraps.
- Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps: For something completely different, try these Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps.
Final Thoughts and Enjoy!
There you have it, my friend! The ultimate guide to making irresistible Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking!
What type of lettuce is best to use for these chicken lettuce wraps?
Butter lettuce (also known as Boston or Bibb lettuce) is recommended because of its soft, pliable leaves and mild flavor. Romaine lettuce is a good alternative for a crunchier option.
Can I make these chicken lettuce wraps vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, you can easily adapt the recipe. Substitute the ground chicken with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat. Remember to press the tofu to remove excess water before cooking. Also, use a vegetarian hoisin sauce for a completely vegan version.
How can I prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it thoroughly before serving. It is recommended to assemble the lettuce wraps right before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
What are some variations I can try to spice up the chicken lettuce wraps?
You can try adding a creamy peanut sauce, a splash of pineapple juice, or some chunks of fresh pineapple. You can also transform the recipe into Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps by adding rice noodles.
Best Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ever
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Spoon
- Small bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup water chestnuts, chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or more, to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish optional
- Peanuts, chopped, for garnish optional
- Lime wedges, for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped water chestnuts to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the bell pepper is slightly softened.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar (or honey), and sriracha.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet.
- Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and everything is heated through.
- Stir in the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro.
- Carefully separate the lettuce leaves. Choose the ones that are large and sturdy enough to hold the filling.
- Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture into each lettuce cup.
- Garnish with extra green onions, cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts, if desired.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.
