If you’re searching for a dish that’s fast, incredibly flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, let me introduce you to Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps. These wraps are a beautiful tangle of savory, nutty, and just barely spicy chicken, bursting with fresh veggies and snuggled inside crisp leaves of lettuce. This meal checks every box: speedy weeknight dinner, light lunch, meal-prep star, or healthy party appetizer. The rich peanut sauce clings to every morsel, and the playful crunch of carrots, water chestnuts, and peanuts takes these wraps over the top. Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are about to become your new favorite go-to meal!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, colorful ingredients to whip up these Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Each ingredient plays a key role in creating the crave-worthy contrast of flavors, textures, and colors that make these wraps so irresistible.
- Ground chicken: A light and quick-cooking protein that takes on the flavors of the salty, nutty sauce beautifully.
- Sesame oil: Adds a toasty, earthy boost that reads as instant restaurant flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic punches up the aroma and depth of the filling.
- Fresh ginger: Brings a sharp, vibrant heat and unmistakable zing.
- Shredded carrots: Lend natural sweetness and a cheerful pop of color and crunch.
- Chopped water chestnuts: Give a juicy, crisp bite that makes every mouthful more fun.
- Chopped green onions: Their mild, slightly sweet onion flavor brightens the filling.
- Creamy peanut butter: The key to that luscious, silky-savory sauce that coats everything.
- Soy sauce: Adds salt, umami, and a deep, rounded savoriness. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Rice vinegar: For tang and balance, cutting through the richness of the peanut butter.
- Honey: A touch of sweetness to round out all those bold flavors.
- Sriracha (optional): Bring the heat according to your taste buds!
- Water: Just a splash or two to ensure the sauce is luxuriously pourable, not pasty.
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves: Sturdy enough to hold all that goodness, yet lovely and crisp.
- Chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro (for garnish): A sprinkle of both finishes these wraps with crunch and herby freshness.
How to Make Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating your sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the ground chicken and break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s fully browned and no pink remains, about 5 to 6 minutes. This step develops a savory foundation for Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Add Aromatics
Once your chicken is nicely golden, add the minced garlic and grated ginger straight into the skillet. Give them about a minute to release their aroma and flavor into the meat. This quick sauté is what infuses the chicken with that restaurant-style fragrance everyone loves in Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Step 3: Stir in the Veggies
Next, toss in your shredded carrots, chopped water chestnuts, and green onions. Stir everything together and let the veggies heat through for a minute or so; you want them to stay crisp, bright, and juicy for a contrast to the savory chicken and silky sauce. These veggies make every bite of Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps pop!
Step 4: Make the Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk the creamy peanut butter with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha (if using). Drizzle in a tablespoon or two of water until the sauce is smooth and pourable, not stiff. This peanut sauce is the soul of Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps and brings everything together with its creamy, salty-tangy magic.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken-veggie mixture in the skillet. Stir everything together, making sure the sauce hugs every piece. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until piping hot and perfectly coated. Once off the heat, your filling is ready for its leafy wrap!
Step 6: Build Your Lettuce Wraps
Spoon generous scoops of the peanut chicken filling into each lettuce leaf. Top with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. Arrange on a platter, serve immediately, and prepare for applause. Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are best eaten hands-on and with plenty of napkins!
How to Serve Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Garnishes
The classic garnish combo is a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for extra crunch and fresh cilantro for a breeze of herby flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, try a drizzle of extra sriracha or a few thinly sliced red chilies for added flair. Garnishes really make your Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps look and taste like they’re straight from your favorite Asian bistro.
Side Dishes
These wraps play well with so many sides! Try serving alongside a chilled rice noodle salad, steamed jasmine rice, or a simple miso soup. For a quick lunch, a pile of crisp edamame or a bright cucumber salad rounds out the meal and lets the warm, rich flavors of the Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps shine.
Creative Ways to Present
Mix up your presentation for fun gatherings: lay out all the filling, sauce, and toppings on a board for a DIY lettuce wrap bar, or serve tiny appetizer-sized versions using mini lettuce leaves for bite-sized party food. If you’re packing lunch, keep the filling warm in a thermos and assemble the Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken filling separately from the lettuce leaves to keep everything fresh. Once cooled, the chicken filling will keep well for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge. Store your washed lettuce wrapped in paper towels inside a plastic bag to keep it crisp for quick assembly of Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken filling in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Just let it cool completely first, and skip freezing the lettuce and garnishes; they’ll lose their crunch. When a craving hits, just thaw the filling overnight in the fridge and you’re halfway to Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps bliss.
Reheating
Gently reheat the chicken filling in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. If the mixture seems a bit thick after thawing or chilling, stir in a splash of water to loosen it up. The flavors deepen with a day or two in the fridge, making your next Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps just as tasty (if not more!) as day one.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or tofu instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a perfect lighter swap and picks up the sauce just as well. For a plant-based version, firm tofu (pressed and crumbled) makes a tasty and hearty filling. Both are delicious in Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
How do I make these wraps gluten-free?
Simply use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce. Everything else in Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps is naturally gluten-free, so you can keep the flavor and skip the gluten.
What kind of lettuce works best?
Butter lettuce is the favorite here thanks to its tender, cupped leaves and slight sweetness. Romaine is a great runner-up – it’s a bit sturdier with a satisfying crunch and is easy to find year-round. Use what you love and what looks freshest.
Can I make the peanut sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The peanut sauce can be whisked together up to a week in advance and stored in a jar in the refrigerator. If it thickens up too much, just stir in a splash of water before adding it to your Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps filling.
How spicy are these wraps with sriracha?
The sriracha adds gentle warmth and depth without being overwhelmingly hot. Try starting with a small amount, then add more in the sauce or as a garnish if you like a bigger kick. The heat level is flexible and totally in your hands!
Final Thoughts
If you’re eager to shake up your dinner routine or wow your friends at your next get-together, these Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are your ticket to easy, joyful home cooking. They’re fun, endlessly customizable, and always a hit. Give them a try – you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
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Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 8 lettuce wraps) 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a delicious and healthy Asian-inspired dish that is perfect for a light and flavorful meal. Ground chicken is cooked with a savory peanut sauce and crunchy vegetables, then spooned into crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing and satisfying bite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Mixture:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped water chestnuts
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
- 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin sauce if needed)
For Serving:
- Butter lettuce or romaine leaves
- Chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the sesame oil. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Add garlic and ginger, then stir in carrots, water chestnuts, and green onions.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha. Thin with water if needed.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the peanut sauce into the skillet with the chicken mixture. Cook for a few more minutes until well-coated. Spoon the mixture into lettuce leaves and top with peanuts and cilantro. Serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or tofu for the chicken.
- Add diced bell peppers or cabbage for extra crunch.
- To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 lettuce wraps
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
