If you are craving a dish that feels fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavors that dance on your palate, this Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a perfect blend of savory ground chicken, crisp vegetables, and a luscious sweet chili-peanut sauce, all wrapped in cool, crunchy lettuce leaves for a refreshing bite. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer to impress guests, these wraps deliver that irresistible combination of texture and taste that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe comes together with a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients, each playing a crucial role. From the tender ground chicken to the crunchy cabbage and the zingy sweet chili sauce, every element adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color that makes this dish shine.
- Olive oil: Used to cook the chicken and veggies, it brings a mild, fruity base flavor and helps everything brown beautifully.
- Ground chicken: The lean protein foundation, it cooks quickly and soaks up all the delicious seasonings.
- Garlic, minced: Essential aromatic that boosts flavor with its pungent punch.
- Sweet onion, chopped: Adds subtle sweetness and depth to the filling.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance all the flavors.
- Carrot, shredded: Provides a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant orange color, plus a satisfying crunch.
- Cabbage, finely shredded: Adds crispness and bulk without overpowering the dish.
- Green onions, chopped: Offer freshness and a mild onion flavor that complements the protein.
- Cilantro, chopped: Brings a bright, herbal note that makes each bite feel lively.
- Sweet chili sauce: The star of the sauce, it delivers a sweet heat that ties the whole dish together.
- Chunky peanut butter: Adds creaminess and a nutty depth to the sauce, balancing the spice.
- Freshly grated ginger: Gives a warm, spicy zing that elevates the sauce.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Delivers umami richness without overpowering saltiness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Sprinkle to taste for an extra punch of heat.
- Boston Bib or Romaine lettuce leaves: Crisp, sturdy wraps that hold all the filling perfectly while adding refreshing crunch.
How to Make Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken along with minced garlic and chopped sweet onion. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out the flavors as the chicken cooks through and turns golden brown. This step not only cooks the protein but develops a savory base that makes the wraps so satisfying.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Once the chicken is cooked, toss in the shredded carrot, finely shredded cabbage, and chopped green onions. Stir everything together and cook just until the vegetables soften slightly but still hold a bit of crispness. This combination lends vibrant color and a lovely crunch, ensuring each bite bursts with texture.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the filling cooks, mix the sweet chili sauce, chunky peanut butter, freshly grated ginger, low-sodium soy sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes in a bowl. Then stir in the chopped cilantro. This sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, nutty, and fresh, creating an irresistible glaze for the chicken and vegetables.
Step 4: Combine and Heat Through
Pour the sauce over the chicken-vegetable mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly. Let it cook for a minute or two more to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully. Now your filling is ready to be spooned into crisp lettuce leaves.
Step 5: Assemble the Wraps
Grab a Boston Bib or romaine lettuce leaf, spoon in a generous amount of the chicken mixture, and fold it up like a little taco. Each wrap should be bursting with fresh, spicy, and savory goodness. These wraps are perfectly handheld and make for a satisfying, light meal or appetizer.
How to Serve Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
To take your Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe to the next level, garnish them with a sprinkle of chopped roasted peanuts for added crunch and a wedge of lime for a zesty squeeze. Fresh cilantro leaves and a few extra crushed red pepper flakes can also enliven the flavors and add visual appeal.
Side Dishes
These wraps pair wonderfully with light sides like a simple cucumber salad tossed in rice vinegar or a bowl of jasmine rice to soak up any leftover sauce. For a cooling contrast, try a side of coconut milk-based soup or fresh mango slices to balance the spicy notes.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving these wraps at a party or dinner, arrange the lettuce leaves on a large platter with small bowls of sauce, chopped peanuts, lime wedges, and garnishes on the side so everyone can customize their wraps. For a fun twist, try using different lettuces like butter lettuce or Romaine hearts for varied textures and shapes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover chicken filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce leaves separate and fresh until serving to avoid sogginess.
Freezing
The chicken and vegetable mixture freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the filling in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to preserve the texture. Once heated, spoon into fresh lettuce leaves for the best wrap experience.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute and will work perfectly with the flavors in this Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe. Just cook it the same way you would the chicken.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes! You can swap out the ground chicken for crumbled tofu or cooked lentils and follow the same steps. Adding diced mushrooms can also lend a meaty texture while keeping it vegetarian.
How spicy is this recipe?
The heat level is easily adjustable with the crushed red pepper flakes and sweet chili sauce. Start with a small amount of flakes if you prefer mild, then add more to taste for extra kick.
What type of lettuce is best for wraps?
Boston Bibb and Romaine lettuce leaves are ideal because they are sturdy enough to hold the filling without tearing, yet tender and crisp. Butter lettuce is another excellent choice for a softer texture.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance for a party?
Definitely! Prepare the filling a day ahead and keep it chilled. Assemble the wraps just before serving to ensure the lettuce stays crisp and fresh.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe that keeps it a personal favorite for so many occasions. It’s fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to whip up, making it the perfect meal to brighten your dinner table any day of the week. I can’t wait for you to try it and share this delicious experience with your loved ones!
Print
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps offer a fresh, flavorful, and healthy meal option featuring ground chicken sautéed with garlic, onions, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a tangy sweet chili-peanut sauce. Wrapped in fresh Boston Bib or romaine lettuce leaves, this recipe is perfect for a light lunch or dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup carrot, shredded
- 1/2 cup finely shredded cabbage
- 3 green onions, chopped
Sauce and Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 Tablespoon chunky peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- Boston Bib lettuce or romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Filling: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, minced garlic, and chopped onions, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in shredded carrots, finely shredded cabbage, and chopped green onions into the skillet. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, freshly grated ginger, chunky peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Mix in the chopped fresh cilantro to infuse fresh herbal notes.
- Combine Sauce and Chicken Mixture: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble Wraps: Spoon generous portions of the chicken and vegetable filling into individual Boston Bib or romaine lettuce leaves. Serve immediately as handheld wraps for a delicious, low-carb meal option.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped peanuts or cashews as a topping.
- If you prefer a spicier wrap, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- These wraps are best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (keep the filling and lettuce separate).
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean pork for variation.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
