Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Quick Healthy Dinner: Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

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When it comes to light yet satisfying dinner ideas, few dishes beat chicken lettuce wraps. Popularized by Asian-inspired restaurants like P.F. Chang’s, and beloved for their balance of crunch and savory flavor, they’re a fun, hands-on way to enjoy dinner. This version is a step up: ground chicken simmered with garlic, ginger, hoisin, and sriracha, then tucked into crisp lettuce leaves and drizzled with a creamy peanut sauce.

Not only is this the best chicken lettuce wraps recipe you’ll try at home, it’s also customizable: swap in grilled or fried chicken, adjust the heat, or serve them as chicken lettuce tacos for a family-friendly twist. With just 25 minutes from prep to plate, this is an easy chicken lettuce wraps recipe that also qualifies as a healthy chicken lettuce wraps recipe thanks to lean protein, fresh vegetables, and low carbs.

To make your preparation even easier, consider using a lettuce wraps kit that comes with seasoning mix packets designed for chicken, enhancing the dish with an Asian-inspired flavor.

Recipe Overview

  • Course: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired / American Fusion
  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Calories: ~355 per serving (with peanut sauce)

Nutritional Information (per serving, 1/4 recipe with peanut sauce)

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Serving Size 2 large wraps


Amount Per Serving
Calories 355kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 4.5g23%
Cholesterol 92mg31%
Sodium 650mg28%
Potassium 420mg12%
Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 5g
Protein 31g62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Values estimated using USDA FoodData Central and FDA nutrition guidelines for labeling.

Ingredients:

You will Need

    For the chicken filling:

    For the peanut sauce:

    For serving:

    Instructions:

    Instructions

      Prep the lettuce:

    1. Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce leaves. Keeping them dry ensures they stay crisp and hold the filling without tearing.
    2. Cook the aromatics:

    3. Heat sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
    4. Cook the chicken:

    5. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is no longer pink (~5–6 minutes).
    6. Flavor the filling:

    7. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Simmer 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Fold in grated carrot, water chestnuts, and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    8. Make the peanut sauce:

    9. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, and chili paste. Add warm water a spoonful at a time until smooth and pourable.
    10. Assemble the wraps:

    11. Place spoonfuls of the spicy chicken mixture into lettuce leaves. Drizzle with peanut sauce and garnish with cilantro, lime juice, and crushed peanuts.
    12. Serve immediately:

    13. Arrange wraps on a platter for a fun, shareable, restaurant-style experience.

    Tips & Notes

    • Choosing lettuce: Use sturdy varieties like iceberg, Bibb, or romaine for the best “wrap integrity.” Fragile leaves may tear under the warm filling.
    • Restaurant flair: Many chicken lettuce wraps restaurant dishes (like P.F. Chang’s) include water chestnuts for crunch — add them for authenticity.
    • Protein swaps: Ground turkey, pork, or even tofu make excellent substitutes. For smoky depth, try grilled chicken lettuce wraps; for extra crispiness, bread and pan-fry strips for fried chicken lettuce wraps.
    • Meal prep: Cooked filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days; reheat and serve with fresh lettuce.
    • For weight watchers: With lettuce replacing tortillas or rice, this recipe is significantly lower in carbs and calories than many wraps, making it a staple for those counting chicken lettuce wraps calories.
    • Spice control: Adjust sriracha to taste. Serve extra sauce on the side for spice lovers.
    • Serve with a side of rice if desired.

    Variations to Try

    • Chicken Lettuce Tacos: Swap lettuce for soft tortillas for a hybrid taco-wrap experience.
    • Low-carb bowls: Serve filling over cauliflower rice instead of in wraps.
    • Asian fusion: Add Thai basil, fish sauce, or chopped peanuts for a Southeast Asian profile.
    • Peanut-free version: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini in the sauce.
    1. What goes in a chicken lettuce wrap?

      Typically, chicken lettuce wraps are filled with a seasoned chicken mixture (often ground chicken) flavored with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and hoisin. To add texture, vegetables like carrots, water chestnuts, or mushrooms are common. Garnishes such as scallions, peanuts, or cilantro give a restaurant-style finish.

    2. What sauce is good for chicken lettuce wraps?

      Classic sauces include hoisin-based stir-fry sauce, spicy chili-garlic sauce, or creamy peanut saucelike in this recipe. Peanut sauce adds protein and richness, balancing the spicy filling. Many restaurants also serve a sweet-chili or sesame soy dipping sauce for variety.

    3. Is eating lettuce wraps healthy?

      Yes. By swapping tortillas, rice, or bread for lettuce, you cut carbs and calories significantly while boosting fiber and micronutrients like folate and vitamin K. When paired with lean protein like chicken, it becomes a healthy chicken lettuce wraps recipe option compared to many restaurant entrées.

    4. What kind of lettuce is best for a wrap?

      The best choices are sturdy leaves like iceberg, Bibb (butter), or romaine, which hold filling without tearing. Each offers different textures: iceberg is crisp, Bibb is tender and pliable, and romaine provides a crunchy rib that adds structure.

    5. Are chicken wraps considered healthy?

      It depends. Restaurant versions can be high in sodium, sugar, and calories due to heavy sauces. But homemade chicken lettuce wraps with lean chicken and balanced sauce are nutrient-dense, lower in carbs, and can fit easily into a healthy diet.

    Conclusion

    These spicy chicken lettuce wraps with peanut sauce strike the perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess. Whether you’re making the best chicken lettuce wraps recipe for a quick family dinner, trying an easy chicken lettuce wraps recipe for meal prep, or craving the taste of chicken lettuce wraps restaurant favorites at home, this version delivers. Low-carb, flavorful, and versatile, it’s a dish you’ll want on repeat.

    Wrap up dinner time with flavor and fun! These spicy chicken lettuce wraps are a low-carb delight that everyone will want to devour – because who can resist a meal that’s both delicious and interactive?

    Recipe Card

    Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Quick Healthy Dinner: Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

    Kenshah K.
    When it comes to light yet satisfying dinner ideas, few dishes beat chicken lettuce wraps. Popularized by Asian-inspired restaurants like P.F. Chang's, and beloved for their balance of crunch and savory flavor, they’re a fun, hands-on way to enjoy dinner. This version is a step up: ground chicken simmered with garlic, ginger, hoisin, and sriracha, then tucked into crisp lettuce leaves and drizzled with a creamy peanut sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American-Fusion, Asian-Inspired
    Servings 8 large wraps
    Calories 355 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large non-stick skillet or wok
    • Wooden spoon or spatula
    • Mixing bowls
    • Whisk (for peanut sauce)
    • Cutting board & chef’s knife
    • Measuring spoons/cups
    • Serving platter

    Ingredients
      

    For the chicken filling:

    • 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken (93% lean recommended for moisture )
    • 1 tbsp sesame oil or neutral oil like avocado
    • 1 t small onion finely chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
    • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
    • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
    • 1–2 tbsp sriracha to taste
    • 1 small carrot grated (for crunch)
    • 1 small can 8 oz water chestnuts, drained and chopped (optional, for texture)
    • 2 green onions thinly sliced

    For the peanut sauce:

    • ¼ cup natural peanut butter
    • 2 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
    • 1 tbsp lime juice
    • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
    • 1–2 tsp sriracha or chili paste
    • 2–3 tbsp warm water to thin to drizzling consistency

    For serving:

    • 8–10 crisp lettuce leaves iceberg, Bibb, or romaine — sturdy leaves are key
    • Extra lime wedges cilantro, or crushed peanuts for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Prep the lettuce: Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce leaves. Keeping them dry ensures they stay crisp and hold the filling without tearing.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Cook the aromatics: Heat sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Cook the chicken: Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is no longer pink (~5–6 minutes).
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Flavor the filling: Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Simmer 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Fold in grated carrot, water chestnuts, and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Make the peanut sauce: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, and chili paste. Add warm water a spoonful at a time until smooth and pourable.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Assemble the wraps: Place spoonfuls of the spicy chicken mixture into lettuce leaves. Drizzle with peanut sauce and garnish with cilantro, lime juice, and crushed peanuts.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Serve immediately: Arrange wraps on a platter for a fun, shareable, restaurant-style experience.
      Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Notes

    • Choosing lettuce: Use sturdy varieties like iceberg, Bibb, or romaine for the best “wrap integrity.” Fragile leaves may tear under the warm filling.
    • Restaurant flair: Many chicken lettuce wraps restaurant dishes (like P.F. Chang’s) include water chestnuts for crunch — add them for authenticity.
    • Protein swaps: Ground turkey, pork, or even tofu make excellent substitutes. For smoky depth, try grilled chicken lettuce wraps; for extra crispiness, bread and pan-fry strips for fried chicken lettuce wraps.
    • Meal prep: Cooked filling can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days; reheat and serve with fresh lettuce.
    • For weight watchers: With lettuce replacing tortillas or rice, this recipe is significantly lower in carbs and calories than many wraps, making it a staple for those counting chicken lettuce wraps calories.
    • Spice control: Adjust sriracha to taste. Serve extra sauce on the side for spice lovers.
    • Serve with a side of rice if desired.
    Keyword best chicken lettuce wraps recipe, chicken lettuce tacos, chicken lettuce wraps restaurant, chicken lettuce wraps sauce, easy chicken lettuce wraps recipe, fried chicken lettuce wraps, grilled chicken lettuce wraps, healthy chicken lettuce wraps recipe, Restaurant chicken lettuce wraps

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