These healthy Asian spicy chicken lettuce wraps are full of bright flavors and served in crisp lettuce leaves. They work well as an appetizer or a light, satisfying meal and are simple enough for a weeknight dinner. If you enjoy quick, flavorful snacks, try my Asian turkey meatballs, Thai sweet chili meatballs, or air fryer pizza bites.
For more ideas, see my full guide to healthy chicken wraps for easy lunch inspiration.
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I’ve always loved the lettuce wrap appetizer from P.F. Chang’s — the combination of savory minced chicken, scallions, garlic and crunchy rice sticks is irresistible. I created this healthier version so you can enjoy similar flavors while controlling the nutrition. Ground chicken is the lean star here: it’s versatile, cooks quickly and pairs beautifully with lots of vegetables. Tossed in a balanced, slightly spicy sauce and served in crisp lettuce cups, these wraps deliver big flavor with fewer carbs and calories than the restaurant version.
P.F. Chang Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
P.F. Chang’s lettuce wraps are a popular menu item for a reason: they combine minced chicken with aromatics, sesame oil and crunchy toppings for a satisfying bite. The restaurant version can be calorie- and carb-heavy when eaten as part of a full meal. Making a homemade copycat lets you reduce calories and carbs while keeping the bold flavors—this recipe pares down the carbs and keeps the dish light and fresh.
Ingredients for Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Beyond the ground chicken, this recipe uses lots of fresh vegetables and a few pantry staples with an Asian flavor profile. Main ingredients you’ll need:
Chicken Mixture:
- Ground chicken – breast or a breast/thigh mix
- Red bell pepper – or mixed bell peppers, diced
- Onion – yellow or white, diced
- Jalapeño – optional, diced for fruity heat
- Garlic cloves – minced (fresh or jarred)
- Fresh ginger – chopped or grated
- Green onions – use the green portion, sliced
- Cilantro – chopped for garnish (or flat-leaf parsley)
Sauce Mixture:
- Sriracha (or sambal oelek)
- Soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
- Hoisin sauce
- Honey
- Rice wine vinegar
For Serving:
- Lettuce leaves — see serving suggestions below
- Sliced cucumber — English cucumbers work well
- Shredded carrots — adds crunch (can be mixed in or topped)
- Chopped peanuts — for nutty texture
- Lime wedges — for a bright finish
How to Make Spicy Chicken Wraps
Begin by prepping all the vegetables: dice the onion, red pepper, jalapeño, mince the garlic, grate or chop the ginger, slice the green onions and chop the cilantro. Set everything aside so cooking moves quickly.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high and add a little sesame oil. When hot, add the ground chicken and break it up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and drain any excess fat on a paper towel if desired.
Return the skillet to the heat with another teaspoon of sesame oil. Add the chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapeño and sauté until softened. Add the cooked chicken back to the pan along with shredded carrots.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, rice wine vinegar and honey. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stir to combine, and let the mixture simmer briefly so the flavors meld. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Remove from heat and stir in sliced green onions and chopped cilantro for bright, fresh flavor.
How to Serve
Spoon a generous portion of the chicken mixture onto a lettuce leaf and add any desired toppings such as cucumber slices, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts and a squeeze of lime. Fold or roll the lettuce leaf around the filling to make a wrap. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
Recommended lettuce options:
- Butter lettuce – soft and slightly sweet, a top choice
- Bibb lettuce – tender leaves that nearly melt in your mouth
- Romaine – sturdy leaves with a crisp rib
- Iceberg – crunchy and mild, great for texture
Butter lettuce is my preference because its mild sweetness complements the spicy chicken. If you’d rather not use lettuce, serve the mixture over jasmine rice, cauliflower rice or rice noodles.
Can I Make This for Meal Prep
Yes — these wraps are excellent for meal prep. After cooking, let the chicken mixture cool to room temperature, then portion it into airtight containers. Store lettuce leaves separately in zip-top bags or in their own container to keep them crisp. Stored this way, the chicken mixture and lettuce will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Ground chicken is a versatile, lean protein and this recipe highlights how simple, flavorful weeknight meals can be healthy too. Whether you serve these wraps as an appetizer or a quick dinner, they deliver bold taste with fresh textures. Customize toppings to suit your preferences and enjoy the balance of savory, spicy and bright citrus notes.
Try this recipe and enjoy these spicy Asian chicken lettuce wraps made with ground chicken — they’re easy, healthy and full of flavor.
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Healthy Asian Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 1 lb Ground chicken
- 1/4 cup Red Bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup Onion diced
- 1 tbsp Jalapeno diced
- 2 cloves Garlic chopped
- 1 tbsp Ginger grated or chopped
- 1 stalk Green onion only the green
- 1 handful Cilantro chopped
Sauce Mixture
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce can substitute Tamari or Coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 tsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
Optional Toppings for Serving
- Lettuce leaves
- Carrots shredded
- Cucumber sliced
- Peanuts chopped
Instructions
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Prep all vegetables: dice onion, red pepper and jalapeño; mince garlic; grate ginger; slice green onions and chop cilantro. Set aside.
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Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high and add sesame oil.
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Add ground chicken, break it up and cook until no pink remains.
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Drain excess fat if desired and set chicken aside.
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Add another teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet and sauté the onion, garlic and peppers until softened.
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Return chicken to the skillet and add shredded carrots.
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Whisk soy sauce, hoisin, sriracha, rice vinegar and honey in a small bowl.
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Pour the sauce over the chicken, stir to combine and simmer a couple minutes to meld flavors.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Remove from heat and fold in sliced green onions and chopped cilantro.
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Give a final stir, then serve in lettuce leaves with desired toppings.