Zesty Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful Fun

Sizzling and packed with flavor, these chicken lettuce wraps bring a burst of Asian-inspired zest to your dinner table.

The ultimate chicken lettuce wraps recipe combines tender, seasoned meat with crisp, refreshing lettuce leaves.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory and light textures that dance across your palate.

Weeknight dinners become an exciting culinary adventure with this simple yet delicious dish.

Quickly whipped up in under 30 minutes, these wraps offer a healthier alternative to traditional comfort foods.

Lean protein and vibrant herbs merge to create a meal that satisfies both hunger and taste buds.

Let’s find out this mouthwatering recipe and transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

Serve Thai Wraps as Appetizers or Light Meals

• Fresh Wrap Party: Set up a DIY lettuce wrap station where guests can customize their own wraps with extra toppings like sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, or additional chopped herbs.
• Cooling Companion: Pair these zesty wraps with a chilled cucumber-mint salad or a light coconut rice to balance the spicy and tangy flavors of the chicken mixture.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining chicken filling into a quick salad topper or stuff inside rice paper rolls for a next-day lunch that keeps the Thai-inspired flavors alive.
• Drink Pairing Delight: Complement the wraps with a crisp white wine like Riesling or a cold Thai beer that cuts through the richness and enhances the dish's vibrant taste profile.

How to Store Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of the chicken mixture and store in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Refrigerated portions stay fresh for 3-4 days, making meal prep a breeze.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool the chicken mixture completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months for convenient future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet.
• Lettuce Leaf Tip: Keep lettuce leaves crisp by storing them separately from the chicken mixture. Wrap leaves in slightly damp paper towels inside a sealed container to maintain freshness for 2-3 days.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop extra herbs and vegetables in advance. Store chopped cilantro, scallions, and carrots in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator to streamline cooking and reduce prep time during busy evenings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 332 kcal

Servings: 5

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ingredient List

• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, toasted flavor that elevates the entire dish's depth.
• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational base with subtle crunch and aromatic warmth.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that builds complex savory notes.
• Ginger: Introduces sharp, zesty brightness with subtle heat and digestive benefits.

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs surrounding seasonings perfectly.
• Tamari: Delivers rich, umami depth with less sodium than traditional soy sauce.
• Thai Sweet Red Chili Sauce: Balances sweet, tangy, and spicy elements with vibrant kick.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy freshness that cuts through richness.
• Maple Syrup: Introduces subtle sweetness and helps caramelize meat.

• Cashews: Provides delightful crunch and earthy richness with protein boost.
• Scallions: Offers mild onion flavor and fresh green color.
• Cilantro: Brings bright, herbaceous note with clean, refreshing taste.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and crisp texture.
• Sesame Seeds: Creates visual appeal with delicate nutty crunch.
• Butter Lettuce Leaves: Serves as light, crisp wrapper with delicate, tender texture.

Tools That Help Make Thai Lettuce Wraps

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing and cooking chicken mixture with perfect heat control.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking down ground chicken and stirring ingredients without scratching pan.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining sauce ingredients quickly and easily.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure soy sauce, honey, and other liquid ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping scallions, carrots, and herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise vegetable and herb chopping.

How to Make Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Sizzling Pan Setup

Warm up a skillet with a splash of sesame oil, creating a fragrant base for your culinary adventure. Toss in diced onions and let them dance until they turn soft and slightly golden.

• Chicken Magic

Drop ground chicken into the pan, breaking it into tiny pieces. Let it sizzle and transform into a golden, delicious protein that’s bursting with flavor.

• Sauce Symphony

Whip up a quick sauce combining tangy soy, zesty chili, bright lime, and sweet honey. Pour this liquid gold over the chicken and sprinkle in crunchy cashews for extra texture.

• Fresh Finish

Pull the pan off the heat and mix in crisp carrots, green scallions, and fresh cilantro. The colors and aromas will make your kitchen feel like a tropical paradise.

• Wrap and Enjoy

Cradle the spicy chicken mixture in cool, crisp lettuce leaves. Shower with sesame seeds for a final touch of excitement. Each bite is a journey of taste and texture.

Tips for Flavorful Chicken Lettuce Filling

• Swap ground chicken with ground turkey, tofu, or shrimp for a delightful flavor twist that keeps the dish exciting and adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Adjust the chili sauce quantity to create a mild or fiery dish. Add fresh jalapeños or sriracha for extra heat that tingles your taste buds.
• Experiment with different nuts like almonds or peanuts instead of cashews. Toasted nuts enhance the texture and provide a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Prepare the chicken mixture up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container. Reheat gently before serving to maintain the fresh, vibrant flavors.
• Use butter lettuce, romaine, or even large cabbage leaves for wrapping if butter lettuce isn't available. Each leaf offers a unique vessel for the savory filling.

Crispy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savory pork and chicken lettuce wraps blend Mexican and Asian influences with zesty spices and fresh ingredients. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle a dynamic mix of proteins, herbs, and tangy sauces you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 10 oz (283 g) ground chicken
• ⅓ cup cashews (raw or roasted/salted), chopped
• 1 head butter lettuce leaves, separated and rinsed
• ¼–½ cup carrots, shredded
• ¼ cup onion (yellow or white), diced
• ¼ cup scallions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger or ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• ¼ cup Tamari (low sodium) or soy sauce, coconut aminos
• 2 tbsps Thai sweet red chili sauce
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
• Sesame seeds for topping

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, softly caramelize onions until translucent and golden-edged, approximately 2-3 minutes.
2. Aromatic Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic and ginger to the onion foundation, stirring continuously to unleash their robust essence for 2 minutes.
3. Protein Preparation: Add ground chicken to the pan, methodically crumble with a wooden spatula, season with salt and pepper, and cook until uniformly browned and thoroughly done, roughly 3-4 minutes.
4. Flavor Fusion: Whisk together soy sauce, chili sauce, lime juice, and honey to create a dynamic sauce, then pour over the chicken and integrate roughly chopped cashews, reducing heat to low for 2 minutes to harmonize flavors.
5. Final Assembly: Remove from heat, gently fold in carrots, scallions, and cilantro, then delicately spoon the fragrant mixture into crisp lettuce leaves, finishing with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a sophisticated presentation.

Notes

• Optimize Oil Temperature: Heat sesame oil just until it shimmers to prevent burning and ensure perfect sautéing without losing delicate flavor profiles.
• Control Meat Texture: Break ground chicken into small, uniform crumbles using a wooden spatula for even cooking and appealing presentation.
• Balance Sauce Ingredients: Whisk sauce components thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that complement the chicken.
• Serve Immediately: Plate lettuce wraps right after cooking to maintain optimal temperature, crispness of lettuce, and vibrant herb freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 332
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg