Even better than P.F. Chang’s, these low-carb chicken lettuce wraps are quick, simple, and satisfyingly delicious — perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful appetizer. Made with straightforward ingredients, they’re crisp, crunchy, and packed with savory flavor. This is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These chicken lettuce wraps are:
- Low-carb and high in protein for a healthier option.
- Quick and easy to prepare in minutes.
- Versatile — easy to customize to your taste.
- Simple to make ahead for busy days or entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Only a handful of ingredients create a satisfying mix of savory, sweet, and crunchy textures:
- Sesame oil — Adds a toasty, nutty note.
- Ground chicken — Crumbles easily and fills lettuce cups nicely. Substitute ground turkey if preferred.
- Salt and pepper — To taste.
- Garlic — Fresh, finely minced for best flavor.
- Water chestnuts — Drained and diced for crunch.
- Hoisin sauce — Sweet and savory; thickens the filling.
- Lettuce — Boston (Bibb) works best; Romaine or Iceberg are fine alternatives.
- Green onions — For color and freshness.
- Crushed peanuts — Optional, for added crunch.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Store the cooked filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, assemble the lettuce cups just before serving so the leaves stay crisp.
What pairs well with lettuce wraps?
They work great as a starter or light main. Serve with other Asian-inspired dishes such as spicy peanut noodles or a stir-fry for a fuller meal.
What’s the best lettuce for wraps?
Bibb lettuce is ideal for its soft but sturdy leaves; Romaine or Iceberg also make good, crisp cups.
Top Tips
- Dice small. Cut vegetables and water chestnuts into bite-sized pieces so the filling is easy to eat in a lettuce cup.
- Don’t overfill. Leave enough lettuce to fold the cup closed. Overfilling makes the wraps difficult to hold and prone to spilling.
Recipe Variations
This base recipe is flexible — try these variations to suit your preferences:
- Swap the chicken for ground turkey, beef, or chopped shrimp.
- Add sliced vegetables like carrots, bell pepper, or mushrooms for extra texture and color.
- Stir in Sriracha or another hot sauce for heat.
More Great Chicken Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
- Baked Chicken Tenders
- Honey Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Keto Cajun Chicken Taquitos
If you try this recipe, consider leaving a rating in the recipe card and a comment to share how it turned out.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 cup water chestnuts, drained and diced
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 head Boston Bibb lettuce, rinsed and patted dry
- Green onions, optional
- Peanut sauce, optional
- Crushed peanuts, optional
- Sriracha, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the hoisin sauce, water chestnuts, and sesame oil. Cook a few minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Remove from heat. Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce cups and top with green onions, crushed peanuts, and a drizzle of peanut sauce if desired. Add Sriracha for extra heat.
Notes
- Dice ingredients small so the filling is easy to eat from the lettuce cup.
- Don’t overfill each lettuce cup — leave enough leaf to fold and hold the filling.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 19 g |
Protein: 22 g |
Fat: 17 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Julie Maestre
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 3 minutes • Cook Time: 10 minutes • Total Time: 13 minutes