You know when you’re craving something savory, fresh, and just a little bit messy in the best way?

That’s exactly what these chicken lettuce wraps are.

I made these for my sister the other night when she said she was “trying to eat light,” and guess what?

She ended up eating four. That says it all.

So,

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Super flavorful and satisfying without being heavy

• Low-carb and loaded with fresh ingredients

• Ready in under 30 minutes

• Fun and interactive to eat (great for kids or casual dinners)

• Easy to customize with what you have on hand

• Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast)

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped

• 3 green onions, sliced

• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)

• Butter lettuce or romaine hearts (for wrapping)

• Chopped peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges (for topping)

How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Step 1: Heat the sesame and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Add the garlic, ginger, and onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the ground chicken. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink.

Step 4: Stir in the bell pepper and water chestnuts. Cook another 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Mix in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Turn off the heat and toss in green onions. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 7: Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce cups. Top with peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Step 8: Serve right away while everything’s warm and delicious.

Storage Options

• Fridge: Store the chicken mixture in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze the cooked chicken filling for up to 2 months.

• Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or microwave, then serve with fresh lettuce.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap chicken with ground turkey or tofu

• Add mushrooms or shredded carrots for more veggies

• Use iceberg lettuce or cabbage leaves if you can’t find butter lettuce

• Go spicy with extra sriracha or chopped chilies

• Try teriyaki sauce instead of hoisin for a sweeter flavor

Mistakes to Avoid & How to Perfect the Recipe

• Don’t overcook the chicken – dry chicken isn’t fun to eat

• Use fresh lettuce – wilted lettuce doesn’t hold up well

• Chop ingredients small – makes it easier to scoop and eat

• Don’t overload the wraps – go light and stack a second one if needed

• Balance the flavors – adjust sauces and seasoning to your taste

FAQs

Q: Can I make the filling ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can cook it a day or two ahead. Just reheat and serve with fresh lettuce.

Q: What kind of lettuce works best?
A: Butter lettuce is soft and perfect for wraps, but romaine and iceberg work too.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and hoisin to make it fully gluten-free.

Q: How do I make it vegetarian?
A: Use tofu or finely chopped mushrooms instead of chicken.

Q: Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?
A: Sure! Just shred it and warm it with the sauce and veggies.

Q: What goes well on the side?
A: Try rice, cucumber salad, or some edamame.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Keep the chicken filling and lettuce separate for the best texture.

Conclusion

And there you go—a quick, easy, and totally delicious dinner that feels like takeout but way better.

You’ll feel good about eating it, and even better when your people keep asking for more.

Let me know how yours turned out, though!

You Might Also Want To Try

• Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
• Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Crispy Chicken Tenderloin Recipe

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Continue to Content

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

These chicken lettuce wraps are a quick, low-carb, flavor-packed meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. Loaded with ground chicken, veggies, and a savory sauce, they’re wrapped in fresh lettuce for a light but satisfying bite. Perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or party appetizers.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup water chestnuts, chopped
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
• Butter lettuce or romaine hearts (for wrapping)
• Chopped peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the sesame and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Add the garlic, ginger, and onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the ground chicken. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink.

Step 4: Stir in the bell pepper and water chestnuts. Cook another 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Mix in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Turn off the heat and toss in green onions. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 7: Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce cups. Top with peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Step 8: Serve right away while everything's warm and delicious.

Notes

Double the batch and freeze half for a no-stress dinner later.

If using rotisserie chicken, reduce cooking time by 5 minutes.

For added crunch, sprinkle crispy rice noodles on top.

Tastes even better the next day after the flavors settle.

Nutrition Information

Yield 4
Amount Per Serving Calories ~280 per serving

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