Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Name: Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or any mild cooking oil); 1 lb ground chicken (or ground turkey); 1 medium shallot (finely diced); 1 garlic clove (minced); 3 green onions (sliced); 2 large stalks lemongrass (tender pale inner core only, minced); ½ cup chopped cashews (or peanuts); ¼ cup hoisin sauce; 1 ½ tablespoons chili garlic sauce (or sriracha); 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar; fresh cilantro (chopped (for garnish)); butter lettuce leaves (for serving)

Crispy lettuce cups piled high with savory, saucy ground chicken, fragrant lemongrass, warm hoisin, and just enough chili heat to wake up every bite. These Chicken Lettuce Wraps have been a go-to in my kitchen ever since a girls' night in where we ordered way too much takeout and decided, around the second helping, that we had to figure out how to make them ourselves. Turns out, they're shockingly simple to pull together with just a handful of pantry staples, and the result tastes like you ordered from your favorite Asian restaurant.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe Chicken lettuce wraps filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, cashews, and flavorful sauce, topped with fresh cilantro. The wraps are neatly arranged in vibrant green lettuce leaves on a wooden platter.

If you love quick weeknight dinners, you'll want to keep this one on rotation right alongside my Healthy Ham and Potato Soup Recipe or Easy Marinated Cheese Recipe and the crowd-pleasing Best Fruity Chicken Salad Recipe.

The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight when you want something light and satisfying without standing over the stove all evening. Low-carb, fresh, and packed with flavor, these wraps check every box.

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Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ingredtiens
How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Substitutions and Swaps
Equipment For Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Storing Leftovers and Meal Prep Tips
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
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Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ingredtiens

Simple ingredients, big flavor. Here's what goes into each wrap and why it matters.

See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities

Sesame Oil : Sesame oil brings a warm, nutty depth to the base of the dish right from the first sizzle. Any mild cooking oil works as a swap, but sesame really ties the Asian-inspired flavors together.
Ground Chicken : Ground chicken is lean, cooks fast, and soaks up all the saucy goodness around it. Ground turkey works perfectly here too if that's what you have on hand.
Shallot, finely diced : Shallots are milder and slightly sweeter than yellow onion, which gives the filling a gentle savory base without overpowering the other aromatics.
Garlic, minced : Fresh minced garlic blooms in the hot oil almost instantly, building the foundation of flavor everything else builds on.
Green Onions, sliced : Green onions add a mild bite and a little freshness to the cooked filling. They also look beautiful stirred in right before serving.
Lemongrass stalks, tender pale inner core only, minced : This is the ingredient that makes these wraps taste restaurant-quality. Use only the soft, pale inner core and mince it finely. It adds a bright, citrusy note that you truly can't replicate with anything else.
Chopped Cashews : Cashews bring a satisfying crunch and a buttery richness to every bite. Peanuts work as a swap if that's what you have available.
Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin is the sweet, savory, slightly tangy backbone of this sauce. It's thick, sticky, and absolutely necessary for that P.F. Chang's inspired flavor.
Chili Garlic Sauce : This brings the heat and a punch of garlicky spice. Sriracha works too if chili garlic sauce isn't in your pantry. Start conservatively if you're feeding sensitive palates.
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce : Soy sauce adds that essential salty, umami depth. The low-sodium version lets you control the saltiness of the final dish.
Seasoned Rice Vinegar : A small splash of rice vinegar brightens everything up and cuts through the richness of the hoisin and sesame oil.
Fresh CilantroFor garnish, chopped : A little fresh cilantro on top adds a pop of color and a herby freshness that ties the whole dish together.
Butter LettuceLeaves, for serving : Butter lettuce has the perfect cup shape and a tender, slightly sweet flavor that holds the filling beautifully without tearing.

How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Five steps, one pan, twenty minutes. Here's exactly how it comes together.

Cook the Aromatics:Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large wok or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until they turn fragrant and just barely golden at the edges. Your kitchen will smell absolutely wonderful right about now.

Sliced mushrooms being sautéed in a skillet, with a wooden spoon stirring them as they release moisture and cook down.

Brown the Chicken:Add the ground chicken directly to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break it apart as it cooks, stirring frequently. Keep going until there's no pink left and the meat has a little light golden color. This usually takes 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat.

Add the Flavorings:Stir in the green onions, minced lemongrass, cashews, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar all at once. Toss everything together well so every piece of chicken gets coated in that glossy, fragrant sauce.

A pan filled with cooked ground meat, vegetables, and green onions, ready to be used for chicken lettuce wraps.

Simmer:Let the mixture bubble gently for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This short simmer lets the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens just slightly. Remove from heat once everything smells irresistible.

A close-up of a skillet with ground meat, diced vegetables, and seasonings cooking together, creating a savory mixture for the chicken lettuce wraps.

Assemble and Serve:Wash and pat dry the butter lettuce leaves. Spoon a generous portion of the warm chicken filling into the center of each leaf. Fold like a taco, top with fresh cilantro, and serve immediately while everything is still hot and fragrant.

Substitutions and Swaps

Want it less spicy? Start with just one tablespoon of chili garlic sauce instead of one and a half. You can always stir in more once you taste, but you can't take heat back out.
No sesame oil? Any mild cooking oil works just fine - avocado oil, vegetable oil, or light olive oil all do the job without changing the flavor too much.
No ground chicken? Ground turkey is a seamless swap. You can also use finely minced pork or even chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
No cashews? Chopped peanuts work great and give you a similar crunch. Water chestnuts are another option if you want something a little lighter.
No chili garlic sauce? Sriracha is a perfect substitute. Sambal oelek also works, or just use a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a gentler heat.
No butter lettuce? Romaine hearts or iceberg lettuce cups hold up just as well. Rice paper wraps are a fun swap too if you want something a little different.
No rice vinegar? A small squeeze of fresh lime juice or a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar gives you that same bright, tangy lift.
Can't find fresh lemongrass? Lemongrass paste in a tube is a totally legitimate shortcut - use about one teaspoon and it works beautifully.

Equipment For Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Nothing fancy required here, just a few basics from a well-stocked kitchen drawer.

Large wok or non-stick skillet - A wide pan gives the Chicken Lettuce Wraps room to brown rather than steam.
Knife and cutting board - For the shallot, garlic, green onions, and lemongrass.
Measuring spoons - Keeps the sauce balanced, especially the chili garlic sauce.
Serving plates - Set them up so everyone can assemble their own wraps at the table.

Storing Leftovers and Meal Prep Tips

The Chicken Lettuce Wraps filling stores really well on its own. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny splash of water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

For meal prep, make a double batch of the filling and portion it out for easy lunches throughout the week. Just store the lettuce leaves separately so they stay crisp. The filling also freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Expert Tips

Prep everything first.Once the pan gets hot, things move fast. Have your garlic, shallot, and lemongrass all minced and ready to go before you even turn on the burner.

Use only the pale inner core of the lemongrass.The outer layers are tough and fibrous. Peel back until you reach the soft, pale section, then mince it as finely as you can. Lemongrass paste in a tube is a totally legitimate shortcut.

Don't overcrowd the pan.If your skillet is too small, the Chicken Lettuce Wraps will steam instead of browning. Use the largest pan you have for the best texture.

Taste before serving.The sauce balance can vary depending on your specific brands of hoisin and soy sauce. A tiny extra splash of rice vinegar or a pinch of sugar can make a big difference if something feels off.

Serve immediately.Lettuce wilts quickly once it's filled with the hot Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Fill the cups right before eating for the best crunch and texture.

Control the heat level easily.Start with 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce instead of 1½ if you're nervous about spice. You can always stir in more once you taste, but you can't take it back out.

FAQ

What goes into Chicken Lettuce Wraps?

The filling is ground chicken cooked with garlic, shallot, lemongrass, green onions, and chopped cashews, all tossed in a quick sauce made from hoisin, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. The whole thing gets spooned into crisp butter lettuce leaves and topped with fresh cilantro. It's a simple combination that delivers a lot of layered, restaurant-quality flavor. Family tip: set out all the garnishes in small bowls and let everyone build their own wraps at the table. Kids love it.

Are Chicken Lettuce Wraps good for you?

They're a great option if you're looking for something light and satisfying. Each serving comes in at 227 calories with 16 grams of protein, 11 grams of carbs, and 14 grams of fat. The butter lettuce keeps it naturally low-carb, and using lean Chicken Lettuce Wraps makes it a solid healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps choice for weeknights. It's one of those meals that feels indulgent but genuinely isn't.

What is the crunchy stuff in Chicken Lettuce Wraps?

In this Chicken Lettuce Wraps, that satisfying crunch comes from the chopped cashews. They add a buttery, nutty texture that makes each bite feel full and interesting. In some restaurant versions you'll find water chestnuts or fried noodles as the crunchy element. Peanuts work great as a swap here too if cashews aren't your thing. Family tip: add extra cashews on top just before serving for even more crunch.

What's in the Chicken Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang's?

P.F. Chang's version is made with minced Chicken Lettuce Wraps, water chestnuts, mushrooms, green onions, and a signature sauce that includes hoisin, soy sauce, and a touch of ginger. This homemade version takes a very similar approach but adds lemongrass and cashews for a slightly different spin on those Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps flavors. The result is something that tastes just as good and comes together in your own kitchen in about 20 minutes. You'll honestly be surprised how close it gets.

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