Chicken Lettuce Wraps – a 30-minute meal that is healthy, light and lip-smacking good. It’s as good as those you can order at a restaurant!
There’s no question about my deep love for soul food. But from time to time, I also try to squeeze in some dishes across culture. I am for diversity and the best way to explore the world is through food. And I love ordering this healthy and indulgent Chicken Lettuce Wraps whenever am out an about.
Rather than braving the outside cold, I decided to make this lettuce wrap recipe right at home after I had a sudden craving for it since last week. You wouldn’t believe how easy it could be.
What Lettuce Do You Use for Wraps?
Although you can use whatever lettuce you have on hand, I would highly suggest that you go with those broad and sturdy leaves that could hold a good amount of that ground meat filling. We don’t want those wraps to fall apart. Personally, I’d use butter or bibb lettuce, but iceberg lettuce works okay, too. You could also use long leaves of romaine lettuce and just cut them in half to hold the filling.
What Other Recipes I Can Use with Soy Sauce?
Of course, this dish won’t be as popular as it is if not for its delicious filling. The secret to a well-seasoned ground chicken mixture is the soy sauce. Moreover, it’s savory, rich, deep flavor elevates the bland vegetable that you won’t feel guilty shoving three more wraps down to your throat. It’s a guilt-free pleasure!
The soy sauce mixture itself showcases the wonderful flavors of Asian cuisine. So if you’re not into Asian food yet, but still want to try this recipe, and consume the remaining ingredients you have, don’t worry. I have a decent list here for you where you can put that soy sauce and other Asian ingredients to good use. Perhaps, you’ll be a convert after trying either one of these.
What Can You Substitute for Soy Sauce?
An easy substitute for soy sauce would be 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce + 1 tablespoon of water for a 3-4 tablespoons of soy sauce. Or you can replace them with a Maggi seasoning sauce, coconut aminos or tamari sauce. In addition, you can also try this simple homemade soy sauce recipe HERE. But if you can pick up the ingredients on your way home, that’d be lovely ’cause this Chicken Lettuce Wraps here is all worth it. 😉
What to Serve with Lettuce Wraps?
My hubby and I would simply serve it in wraps for dinner, while I serve the ground chicken meat mixture on rice or noodles for my son. It’s easier that way for him. Other than that, you can also serve it with your favorite Asian salad or any green leafy salads. For parties or special gatherings, this Chicken Lettuce Wrap also makes a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
For busy weeknights, you may prepare the filling ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just reheat them on the stovetop and splash enough amount of chicken broth if it seems too dry. Sprinkle it a bit with pepper flakes or dab it with a little bit of hot sauce for some kick. Additionally, you may also add thinly sliced nuts for some crunch. Chicken Lettuce Wraps is a good choice for a low-carb and healthy quick dinner.
Enjoy!
Tips and Notes:
- You can replace soy sauce with a Maggi seasoning sauce, coconut aminos or tamari sauce.
- Rice vinegar adds a sweet and mild snap to the sauce. If you don’t have one, you can substitute it with 1 tablespoon of white wine + 1/4 teaspoon of sugar OR 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar + 1/4 teaspoon of sugar.
- Oyster sauce is a dark syrupy sauce made from a mixture of caramelized oyster juices, salt, sugar and sometimes a bit of soy sauce usually use for stir-fries. Compared to soy sauce, oyster sauce is a little less salty than soy sauce. It’s sweet, salty with umami and rich savory. To substitute, you may replace it with fish sauce, mushroom sauce, hoisin sauce, or mix a half teaspoon of sugar for every tablespoon of soy sauce.
Chicken Lettuce Wrap
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Ingredients
Chicken Sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine) or honey
- 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional)
Chicken Lettuce Wrap
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ¾ cup diced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons minced or finely diced garlic
- 1 large carrot , shredded carrot (about 1 cup)
- 8 ounce can water chestnuts drained and finely diced
- 3 green onions , finely sliced (reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large head bibb lettuce or iceberg lettuce
- 3-4 tablespoons sliced almonds or peanuts , for some crunch
- 1-2 Tablespoons Cilantro (optional)
Instructions
Chicken Sauce
- In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce , rice vinegar, sriracha, oyster sauce , honey , almond butter, salt and sesame oil. Set aside.
Chicken Lettuce Wrap
- Heat oil in a large skillet, then add ground chicken and cook for about 3-4 minutes until chicken no longer pink. Remove and set aside.
- Next add onion, ginger and garlic- cook until fragrant - about 30 seconds.
- Stir in carrots, cook for about a 1-2 minutes, followed by chestnuts and green onions. Be careful not to let the mixture burn. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Return the chicken and soy sauce mixture to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
- To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style, and garnished with sliced almonds and cilantro.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
How to Make Chicken Lettuce Wraps
In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce , rice vinegar, sriracha, oyster sauce , honey , almond butter, salt and sesame oil. Set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet, then add chicken. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until chicken no longer pink. Remove and set aside.
Next add onion, ginger and garlic- cook until fragrant – about 30 seconds. Stir in carrots, cook for about a 1-2 minutes.
Followed by chestnuts and green onions. Be careful not to let the mixture burn. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
Return the chicken and soy sauce mixture to the pan. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style, and garnished with sliced almonds and cilantro. If desired, fold sides of lettuce over filling and roll up.
Bebe says
Imma luv
Is the serving (calorie count) per 1 lettuce wrap? Thanks, fan girl
Cat says
Hi I love chicken wraps but didn’t realize the sodium count is so high. Can you suggest how I can lower the sodium in this delicious dish?
Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Cat, It’s in the soy and oyster sauce. You might want to cut back on this two ingredients.
Afamefuna says
Emma, love your recipes
Keep up the good work!
Terri says
I love all your Recipes, delicious! Keep up the good work and thank you so much!