These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are quick, flavorful, and a little addictive. Ground chicken cooks in a savory sauce with just enough spice, balanced by crisp lettuce and fresh herbs. They make a great light dinner or appetizer, and you can have them on the table in about 15 minutes.
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The mix of warm, savory filling and cool, crisp lettuce is hard to beat. This version leans on Asian flavors with soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of chili heat. The sauce is bold, slightly sweet, and full of umami, and it contrasts perfectly with the freshness and crunch of the lettuce.
You can swap the chicken for turkey, pork, or even tofu. Add water chestnuts for extra crunch, or drizzle on sriracha for a spicy kick. However you make them, these wraps make an easy, satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Ingredient Notes
Most of what you need for these chicken lettuce wraps is probably already in your kitchen. Here’s a closer look at a few key ingredients.
Fish sauce adds that deep, savory flavor you can’t quite replicate with anything else. It’s worth picking up a bottle if you don’t already have one. Most supermarkets carry it these days, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll certainly find it in any Asian market.
Sesame oil gives the filling a rich, nutty aroma. Use a light drizzle at the end rather than cooking with it.
Honey balances the saltiness of the soy and fish sauces. You can swap in brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.
For the lettuce, butter or iceberg lettuce work best. They have big leaves and are sturdy enough to hold the filling but still crisp and refreshing.
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How to Make Asian Lettuce Wraps
You’ll be surprised at how quick this dish is to make. Here’s how:
- Mix the sauce ingredients together.
- Cook the chicken in a little oil until browned, then remove from the skillet or wok.
- Sauté the vegetables in the same pan until they start to soften.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to combine.
- Pour in the sauce and cook briefly so the flavors come together.
- Spoon the filling into lettuce leaves, top with green onions, and serve.
Expert Tips for Success
A few small tweaks can make a big difference in the final dish. Here are some tips for making the best Asian Lettuce Wraps:
- Use high heat: Cooking the chicken and vegetables over high heat helps them develop a deeper flavor.
- Don’t overcook the veggies: Keep them slightly crisp for the best texture.
- Make it spicier: Add sriracha or extra chili flakes for more heat.
What to Serve With It
These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps make a great appetizer or light meal on their own, but they also pair well with other Asian dishes. Try serving them alongside Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles or Gochujang Tofu. If you want something lighter, a side of Japanese Cucumber Salad or Spicy Cucumber Salad adds a refreshing crunch.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Robin Donovan
Ingredients
For the sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
For the chicken
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 1 piece small onion minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 2 carrots grated
- 1 piece red bell pepper diced
- lettuce leaves
To Garnish
- Green onions chopped
Instructions
- Make the sauceIn a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, honey, chili flakes, sesame oil, and fish sauce.
- Cook the chickenHeat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the ground chicken with salt and pepper and cook, breaking it apart, for about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan.
- Sauté the VegetablesIn the same skillet, heat the remaining oil. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, carrots, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the vegetables soften.Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Make the SaucePour the sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir everything together and cook for 1 more minute.
- Assemble the WrapsSpoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves and top with chopped green onions.Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the lettuce separate to prevent it from wilting.
- Substitutions: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey or pork. Use brown sugar instead of honey.
Nutrition
