Best Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ever
These Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a light, flavorful, and healthy meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Savory ground chicken is combined with crisp vegetables and a delicious sauce, all served in refreshing lettuce cups for a satisfying and guilt-free experience.
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.
Notes
For a vegetarian or vegan option, swap the ground chicken for crumbled tofu or plant-based ground meat. Use a vegetarian hoisin sauce to ensure it's completely vegan. Adjust the spice level by reducing or omitting the sriracha. The chicken mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble the lettuce wraps just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting. Try adding a creamy peanut sauce or a splash of pineapple juice for variations.