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Chicken Lettuce Wraps

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close up shot of Asian chicken lettuce wrap garnished with green onions on a plate
This recipe for chicken lettuce wraps is packed full of savory, browned chicken and sauce that's wrapped in a fresh lettuce leaf for a simple and colorful dish.
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Table of Contents
  1. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap Ingredients List
  2. Substitutions and Additions
  3. How To Make This Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Why People Love Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  7. More Recipes You'll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Skip the tortillas and try this easy and delicious chicken lettuce wraps recipe that’s packed full of protein and vegetables. This recipe features ground chicken browned and flavored with a mouthwatering sauce and then wrapped in a crisp lettuce leaf for a light and tasty appetizer or entree that the whole family will love.

close up shot of Asian chicken lettuce wrap garnished with green onions on a plate


Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap Ingredients List

Asian chicken lettuce wrap raw ingredients that are labeled
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You’ll need:

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • Ground pepper (to taste)
  • ⅓ cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste 
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • ½ – 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons mirin or rice wine vinegar
  • 5 ounces canned water chestnuts, drained and diced
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 head butter lettuce, individual leaves separated, rinsed and patted dry

Substitutions and Additions

MEAT: You can use ground turkey, ground pork, or ground beef in place of the ground chicken if you would prefer. You could also use finely chopped juicy chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe.

PEPPERS: A red or green bell pepper, chopped in small pieces, would add a pop of color and fresh, crisp flavor.

VEGETABLES: If you want to add even more veggies either into the mix with the chicken or as a topping, you could pick your favorite stir fry veggies such as bean sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, or bok choy cut up in small pieces.

WATER CHESTNUTS: If you cannot find water chestnuts, you can use chopped celery or carrots for added crunch

SPICE: If sriracha sauce isn’t enough spice for your taste buds, you could also add a dash of red pepper flakes into your seasoning mix.

How To Make This Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipe

STEP ONE: Sauté ground chicken and onion in the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Sprinkle with a bit of black pepper while cooking, but do not add any salt until all of the sauce ingredients have been added, and you can taste the finished seasoning.

PRO TIP: The ground chicken is very mild, and this dish can easily become oversalted. Only add additional soy sauce and/or salt after tasting.  

Asian chicken lettuce wrap process shot of ingredients in a skillet

STEP TWO: When all the moisture has evaporated from the skillet, the chicken is no longer pink, and the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic and sauté a bit longer until the garlic is fragrant.

Asian chicken lettuce wrap process shot of meat being cooked in a skillet

STEP THREE: Add ginger, sesame oil, sriracha, hoisin, soy sauce, and mirin to the skillet. Cook and stir until the ingredients are well blended and simmering.

PRO TIP: Adjust the sriracha for more or less spice.

Asian chicken lettuce wrap process shot of ingredients being combined in a skillet

STEP FOUR: Add in water chestnuts and sliced green onions and heat through. Garnish with sesame seeds.

Asian chicken lettuce wrap process shot of ingredients being combined in a skillet

STEP FIVE: Spoon the chicken mixture into the butter lettuce leaves and serve.

PRO TIP: Lettuce wraps are all about the crisp lettuce cups. If your lettuce is wilted, the wraps will be flimsy and not very good.

Make sure your lettuce is nice and cold and dry before making your wraps. You can store them in a colander in the fridge for up to an hour before serving.

Asian chicken lettuce wrap process shot of chicken mixture being spooned into lettuce leaf

How To Serve

Serve these delicious easy lettuce wraps alongside our fried rice for a complete meal. If you are serving this recipe for kids, they may prefer the meat mixture served over brown rice or noodles rather than trying to navigate the lettuce wraps.

These chicken lettuce wraps pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, including:

  • Peanut Sauce: A creamy and nutty sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.
  • Sweet Chili Sauce: A sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy dipping option.
  • Sriracha Mayo: His simple yet addictive sauce combines sriracha hot sauce with mayonnaise for a creamy, spicy dip.
  • Hoisin Dipping Sauce: A thick and savory sauce that is sweet and salty. It can be thinned with a little rice vinegar or water to make it easier to dip into.
  • Spicy Garlic Sauce: Combine chili garlic sauce with soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of honey for a flavorful dip with a kick.
  • Cilantro Lime Avocado Sauce: This bright green sauce is refreshing and tasty. Blend together avocado, cilantro, lime juice, a touch of garlic, and a bit of water to a smooth consistency.
  • Sesame Ginger Dipping Sauce: Sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and a touch of honey create a flavorful dipping sauce.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store these Asian lettuce wraps with chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freeze the chicken filling to use for future meals. Thaw in the fridge, warm the mixture in the microwave and spoon it into fresh lettuce leaves when you are ready to eat.

close up shot of Asian chicken lettuce wrap garnished with green onions

Why People Love Chicken Lettuce Wraps

  • Flavorful and Fun: The filling is packed with savory Asian flavors, offering a satisfying eating experience. Assembling your own wraps can also be enjoyable, making it a fun interactive meal.
  • Easy and Customizable: The recipe is quick and simple to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal for busy families. Plus, it’s easy to customize the ingredients to whatever you like. You can adjust the spice level, add different veggies, or swap the protein for something else.
  • Great For Parties: Lettuce wraps are great for casual gatherings or parties. They can be served as an appetizer or a main course, and the individual portions make them easy to grab and go.

Asian cooking is full of so much flavor. For other Asian dishes, a few of our favorite recipes include Korean beef and our honey garlic chicken.

Whether you’re craving a great appetizer, a light weeknight dinner, or a fun finger food for a party, these chicken lettuce wraps are sure to become a new favorite that rivals the restaurant version. They’re bursting with Asian flavors, easy to customize, and perfect for enjoying with friends and family.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What lettuce is best for this Asian chicken lettuce wraps recipe?

The best lettuce for these Thai chicken lettuce wraps is butter lettuce. Green leaf lettuce, bibb lettuce and romaine hearts will also work.

What do I serve with these easy Asian chicken lettuce wraps?

Serve this delicious recipe as a great appetizer or with fried rice on the side for a complete meal.

How do you cut lettuce for lettuce wraps?

It is very simple to cut lettuce for lettuce wraps. Cut off the bottom part of the head of lettuce. Carefully peel away each piece of lettuce for your wrap. Wash the leaves and pat dry before adding your fillings.

How do I prevent my lettuce wraps from getting soggy?

Make sure your lettuce is dry and chilled before assembling. Store the lettuce leaves in a colander in the fridge for up to an hour before serving.

What other proteins can be used instead of chicken?

A variety of different proteins can be used instead of chicken. Some great options are ground turkey or pork, diced shrimp or even tofu for a vegetarian option.

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close up shot of Asian chicken lettuce wrap garnished with green onions on a plate

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

5 from 2 votes
This recipe for chicken lettuce wraps is packed full of savory, browned chicken and sauce that's wrapped in a fresh lettuce leaf for a simple and colorful dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • Ground pepper, to taste
  • cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons mirin or rice wine vinegar
  • 5 ounces water chestnuts, drained and diced
  • 3 green onions
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated, rinsed, and patted dry

Instructions
 

  • Sauté ground chicken and onion in the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Sprinkle with a bit of black pepper while cooking, but do not add any salt until all of the sauce ingredients have been added and you can taste the finished seasoning.
  • When all the moisture has evaporated from the skillet, the chicken is no longer pink, and the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic and sauté a bit longer until the garlic is fragrant.
  • Add ginger, sesame oil, sriracha, hoisin, soy sauce, and mirin to the skillet. Cook and stir until the ingredients are well blended and simmering.
  • Add in water chestnuts and sliced green onions and heat through. Garnish with sesame seeds.
  • Spoon chicken mixture into lettuce leaves and serve.

Notes

  • Mirin is similar to sake but with lower alcohol content and higher sugar content. You can substitute rice vinegar plus sugar if you can’t find mirin at the grocery store.
  • The ground chicken is very mild, and this dish can easily become oversalted. Only add additional soy sauce and/or salt after tasting.  
  • Adjust the sriracha for more/less spice.

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 935mg | Potassium: 830mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1442IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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