If you enjoy indulging in the famous restaurant version of chicken lettuce wraps, then you'll love this recipe for a homemade version! It's made with lots of fresh and delicious ingredients, ready and on the table in no time flat!
Chicken Lettuce Wraps, a Restaurant-Inspired Original
I'll be the first one to say that I love to gain inspiration for some of my more “fusion-y” recipes from eating out at restaurants, both the more famous ones as well as the more hole-in-the-wall places (the latter being more of a preference).
And while I've only gone to P.F. Chang's twice, and have tried their famous chicken lettuce wraps only once, I must admit that they made an impression on me as being a tasty and flavorful little appetizer.
So I thought I'd have some fun diving in and making my own tasty chicken lettuce wraps recipe from scratch, using fresh ingredients, and even adding in my own bells and whistles and flair. I couldn't resist!
After all, isn't homemade and fresh always best?
What came out of my experimenting was this delicious and flavorful version—a restaurant-inspired “original”—that leaves out what I don't want, and adds a sprinkle of what I do want!
So what do you say?
You ready to give this delicious homemade chicken lettuce wraps recipe a try and see which one you prefer?
Chicken Lettuce Wraps, the Basics and Some Swaps
I really love the sauce that comes with the chicken wraps, and it's quite simple to recreate with a few main ingredients that pack a flavorful punch.
For my version, I use a combination of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar and a touch of chili garlic sauce. My perfect combination of those ingredients create that rich, sweetly-savory sauce that gets poured into the ground chicken mixture at the end of the cooking process.
And I make a little extra sauce for drizzling over top of the wraps!
Of course, chicken lettuce wraps wouldn't be chicken lettuce wraps without the chicken, and ground chicken is what I use for these. It cooks quite quickly, takes on flavor perfectly, and is finely crumbled so each bite of these wraps just melts in the mouth.
This recipe also has those familiar flavors of ginger and garlic, but I like to add a little extra into my version for good measure, and for more of a “punch”.
And while I love the water chestnuts in the restaurant version, and kept those as part of this recipe, I omitted the mushrooms and opted rather to add in a sprinkle of shredded carrots and chopped peanuts for a tad more crunch and flavor!
The pop of green color and freshness from the green onions ties everything together, so those got the “green light” to stay in my homemade version.
And because all of this tasty, savory and saucy chicken filling needs to be all wrapped up with something cool and fresh, butter lettuce leaves are my personal pick and are pliable enough to hold everything together.
So what do you say, you ready for a bite?
Tips & Tidbits for Chicken Lettuce Wraps:
- Choose ground chicken: You can use either ground chicken breast or ground dark meat for these, but because dark meat is more flavorful, I opt for that when available. You can also substitute ground turkey or ground pork as well.
- Make ahead: If you'd like to prepare the recipe ahead of time, it's easy! Prepare your sauce by mixing together all of the ingredients and keeping it in a container in the fridge. You can also prepare/cook your chicken filling mixture ahead as well; and then, when you're ready to serve these, reheat the filling with the sauce, garnish, and serve.
- Pick which greens: I love butter lettuce for these wraps, but you can also substitute traditional iceberg lettuce, romaine leaves, or even chard or kale greens.
- Leave out the peanuts if you wish: While this recipe uses a little sprinkle of peanuts for a bit of extra flavor, you can absolutely leave them out.
Feast your eyes on these, or just jump to the recipe:
Recipe
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
by Ingrid Beer
Yield: 12 wraps (serves 4 people at 3 wraps each)
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Sauce Ingredients:
• 1 (9.4 ounce) bottle hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ingredients:
• Avocado or peanut oil (about 3 tablespoons)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 1 (8 ounce / 227 gram) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
• ¼ cup crushed peanuts, plus 2 tablespoons extra for garnish
• 3 green onions, finely sliced (reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish)
• 12 butter lettuce leaves
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• Cilantro, for garnish
Preparation:
-Begin by preparing the sauce: whisk together all of the sauce ingredients, and set aside.
-Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add in the oil; once hot, add in the diced onion and saute for a few minutes until translucent and softened.
-Add the ground chicken, and using a spoon or spatula, break it up in the pan into fine grounds; cook for 5-6 minutes until cooked through, and the liquid has evaporated.
-Add in the garlic and the ginger, and stir those in for about 1-2 minutes to incorporate; once aromatic, turn off the heat and add in the chopped water chestnuts and the ¼ cup of crushed peanuts, and stir those in; add in half of the sauce (about ½ a cup), and stir that into the chicken mixture.
-Sprinkle in most of the green onion (reserving some for the garnish), and stir that in.
-To assemble, fill each butter lettuce leaf with a sprinkle of carrot, then some of the chicken filling, and top each with an extra sprinkle of green onion and crushed peanut, and some cilantro.
-Serve with the remainder of the sauce on the side (about ½ a cup) for a little extra drizzle over top.
Cook's Note: This recipe has been updated with even more love! And new photos!
Interested in checking out more Asian inspired dishes? Check out these Thai Chicken Salad Wonton Cups, and these Thai Nachos, or this Mongolian Beef recipe!
Blog is the New Black
I'm sort of "new" to thai food! Imagine? This sounds and looks delicious!
Natalie
I love chicken lettuce wraps and these look perfect!
Libby
These wraps are so so tasty! I had this @ a bar/ restaurant and it’s become one of my favorites! Low calorie great tasting perfect with a beer or margarita!!
The Cozy Apron
Yes, the perfect little appetizer/snack, Libby! (And these taste even better than the restaurant version, in my humble opinion) 😉
Kevin (Closet Cooking)
Those are some tasty looking wraps! Can't get enough sauce!
Shea Goldstein
Ok....THAT is sexy delicious. Making very soon. Thanks for sharing!!
Cathy Moklebust
Just made this for lunch and it was awesome!!!
thecozyapron
Hi Cathy, glad you enjoyed these!
Christy
Hi there Ingrid -
Came across your site the other day while looking for a good Thai lettuce cup recipe. These were really good! I fork-shredded some cooked chicken breast and added a little extra ginger (I used bottled pre-minced) and a sprinkle of coconut sugar too (I halved the recipe, so I'm not sure if my proportions were all correct). I served them with avocado and bell pepper in the cups. Thank you for such a yummy and inspiring treat! These were so easy! Fantastic!
-Christy
The Cozy Apron
Hi Christy, so glad this recipe could be an inspiration for your own version of this dish — sounds like you added some creative and very tasty flairs of your own! Glad you came by the site, and thanks for taking the time to comment on your own experience making these.
Maribel Reyes
This looks super delicious! I may have to try making it. I have only had Thai food twice, but I thought the taste and mixture of flavors is divine! 😀
Lisa
I just made these tonight !!!! They were absolutely awesome! My boy friend loved them and everyone at the police department was jealous of his dinner! Awesome recipe this will definitely be used over and over!
The Cozy Apron
Lisa, that is great! Thank you so much for coming and sharing that with me - I thought it was awesome that your boyfriend enjoyed this as his dinner at his job at the police department. I kinda feel bad for the rest of those guys, haha! 😉
Diana B
This was so good! I think it will be going onto our regular menu rotation after we make a roasted chicken (it's the perfect use for leftover chicken).
Tee
Made this just today after a friend shared the recipe, I added about 2 cups of finely shredded cabbage and stirred the chicken mixture into it while the chicken was still hot, served it warm. I had mine on top of a pile of shredded cabbage and romaine, salad style, kids and hubby made wraps.. it was all really good and will definitely be making this one again!
The Cozy Apron
Sounds delicious, Tee! So happy to read that the whole family enjoyed this, and I love your take on it, too!
Rachel
Just made these and LOVED them! Used chicken thighs instead of breast. Ended up cutting them into strips, seasoning with salt, pepper and garlic then sauteing in some sesame oil. But otherwise followed recipe and I wouldn't change a thing! Boyfriend loved them too will certainly make them again. Thank you for sharing!
The Cozy Apron
Hi Rachel, that's great! So happy that both you and your boyfriend enjoyed your take on these. This is one of those recipes that is not only super flavorful, but actually really healthy and fresh. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Darlene
These look sooo yummy!! Gonna make these for a light dinner this week. Your food is always delish!!
The Cozy Apron
Thanks so much, Darlene— so kind! I really hope you enjoy these as much as we did!
Darlene
I made these last night and they were delicious!!! Super easy too!
The Cozy Apron
Hey Darlene, so happy to read that! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me!
Libby
Hi! This new recipe looks delish and I will have to give it a try! My family also loved the old one with the peanut sauce! Is there any way you could post that one too?? Thanks!
The Cozy Apron
Hi Libby!
Please check your email (and "spam" folder, too, just in case)! 😉
Serena sharp
Amazing! Just a note. People aren’t able to upload pictures 🙂 Turned out exactly as photographed and tastes perfect!!!
The Cozy Apron
Hi Serena!
I'm thrilled you enjoyed these tasty wraps so much, and that they turned out for you just as we featured them! Job well done! 🙂
Rebekah
My local grocery store does not carry chili garlic sauce. Any suggestions for a substitution?
The Cozy Apron
Hi Rebekah, you can leave it out altogether in that case, and add in an extra tablespoon on the hoisin. If you'd like to add a bit of spiciness, you can add in red pepper flakes, to your liking.
Tee
We use sweet chili sauce! Works great, in the Asian section.
Sherry Grundman
I want to serve these for a light meal with girlfriends. What would you suggest I serve with them?
The Cozy Apron
Hi Sherry, how fun! What's great about these is that they're pretty self-contained, meaning that they kind of double as a salad/main if you make a little more. I'd serve them with a nice Riesling wine, and some fresh mango cut up or sliced up for a refreshing, sweet bite.
You could also serve this simple carrot-ginger soup as another option, to stay on theme. Hope you have a blast!
Adel
Will this taste good with ground bison instead of chicken?
The Cozy Apron
Hi Adel, I haven't tried it with bison; but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be tasty! If you prefer to use the bison, I'd say go for it. I think it'd be a very unique way to prepare that meat. Hope you enjoy!
Karen
EXCELLENT! Easy and Filling. Makes enough to freeze if it's just you. I am on WW and it's perfect for when I crave something different!
The Cozy Apron
Hey Karen, thanks for the comment! Thrilled you enjoyed, and even had some leftover to freeze. (You're a stronger woman than I am when it comes to portion control of these, lol!)
Meghan
Hi Ingrid, I made your previous version of these lettuce wraps around 12 years ago. The chicken was precooked, and you added the herbs and spices, then the peanut sauce was the best part and it was all served cold. This isn’t that recipe, though it is the one that appears when I click saved links to it. Could you send me the previous recipe?
The Cozy Apron
Hi Meghan, yes, I've updated and refreshed the recipe, giving it a new spin.
This one's terrific, and I hope you try it out as well, but I'm more than happy to send you the original recipe. Please check your email, and if you it's not there, then please check your "spam" folder. 😉
Melissa
Ingrid, these wraps are delicious! Since several folks referenced the peanut sauce from the original recipe in the comments, I dug it out of the Internet Archive, and we used it as a dipping sauce. So good. Served sliced avocado and fried eggs on the side, along with some oranges and grapes. Love, Melissa
The Cozy Apron
Fantastic, Melissa! Glad you enjoyed 'em!