If you’re looking for a vibrant, satisfying dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture, then this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. The juicy, seasoned ground chicken pairs beautifully with crunchy veggies and a luscious, creamy peanut sauce that ties everything together. Wrapped in fresh, tender butter lettuce leaves, every bite offers a refreshing yet indulgent experience that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining guests. This recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that’s both approachable and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe showcases straightforward ingredients that are easy to find but essential for getting the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Each item plays a unique role, from the rich, savory chicken filling to the bright and zesty peanut sauce that elevates the entire dish.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil perfect for browning the chicken evenly without overpowering the flavors.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a warm, nutty aroma that enhances the overall depth of the dish.
- Ground chicken: The lean protein base that absorbs all the spices and sauces perfectly.
- Shiitake mushrooms, diced: Adds an earthy flavor and meaty texture that complements the chicken beautifully.
- Carrot, peeled and diced: Brings natural sweetness and a pleasant crunch to the filling.
- Shallot, diced: Offers a mild onion flavor that blends seamlessly into the mixture.
- Garlic, minced: Essential for a punch of savory aroma and depth.
- Freshly grated ginger: Adds zest and a hint of warmth, brightening the filling.
- Hoisin sauce: A sweet and tangy component that gives the dish its signature Asian-inspired flavor.
- Chili garlic sauce: Adds just the right amount of heat and a garlicky kick.
- Fish sauce: Delivers an umami boost that deepens the taste without fishiness.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: Provides a fresh, herbal brightness to lighten the rich filling.
- Butter lettuce (for wrapping): The perfect soft and mild green vessel to hold all the deliciousness.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient in the sauce, giving creamy texture and nutty richness.
- Reduced sodium soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami to balance sweetness in the peanut sauce.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Brings acidity and brightness that cuts through the richness.
- Brown sugar: Adds subtle sweetness that rounds out the sauce’s flavors beautifully.
How to Make Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken and Veggies
Start by heating vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground chicken along with diced shiitake mushrooms, carrot, and shallot. Cook everything together until the chicken is browned and cooked through, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Be sure to drain any excess fat to keep the filling light and fresh.
Step 2: Add Aromatics
Next, stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Let these cook with the chicken mixture for about a minute until fragrant. This step is key as it releases the wonderful aromas that will make your kitchen smell irresistible and infuses the filling with layers of flavor.
Step 3: Mix in Sauces and Cilantro
Now it’s time to bring the savory, sweet, and spicy elements together. Add hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce to the skillet. Stir everything until it’s well combined and heated through, which takes about 30 seconds. Once off the heat, stir in the fresh chopped cilantro to add a fresh, herbaceous touch.
Step 4: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and grated ginger. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water gradually until you reach a smooth and drizzle-able consistency. This sauce is what transforms these wraps into a sensational treat — creamy, tangy, spicy, and nutty all at once.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Finally, spoon the chicken mixture into the center of each butter lettuce leaf and drizzle generously with peanut sauce. These wraps are best enjoyed fresh, making every bite satisfyingly crispy, juicy, and flavorful.
How to Serve Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of flavor and texture, consider topping your wraps with chopped roasted peanuts or sliced green onions. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds can also add a lovely crunch, while a few sprigs of fresh cilantro bring zesty brightness that balances the richness wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve these wraps alongside a crisp cucumber salad or pickled vegetables to add contrast and refreshment. A light jasmine rice or a simple Asian slaw can complete your meal perfectly without overshadowing the star of the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress your guests? Arrange the chicken filling and peanut sauce in separate bowls with a platter of lettuce leaves so everyone can build their own wraps. This interactive approach is fun, social, and ensures that each person customizes bites to their liking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the peanut sauce separate to preserve its texture, and wash and dry the lettuce leaves before storing them wrapped in paper towels inside a sealed container.
Freezing
The chicken filling freezes well! Portion it into a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid freezing the peanut sauce and lettuce as their textures change upon thawing.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken mixture gently on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Stir occasionally to prevent drying out. Then, assemble the wraps fresh with cold lettuce and peanut sauce for the best texture contrast.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat for the Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
Absolutely! While ground chicken works wonderfully here for its mild flavor and lean profile, ground turkey or pork are great alternatives that also hold up well with the bold sauces and fresh veggies.
How spicy is this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level thanks to the chili garlic sauce, but you can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more or less of the sauce based on your preference.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, by swapping the ground chicken for firm tofu or seasoned tempeh, you can create a delicious vegetarian version. Just be sure to cook the protein thoroughly and adjust seasoning as needed.
What type of lettuce is best for wraps?
Butter lettuce is the ideal choice because of its tender, slightly sweet leaves that hold the filling without tearing. Bibb or Boston lettuce are good substitutes if you can’t find butter lettuce.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce and double-check your chili garlic and hoisin sauces for gluten-containing ingredients to keep it safe.
Final Thoughts
Making this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is like giving yourself a joyful meal that’s both comforting and fresh every single time. It’s quick enough for weeknights but elegant enough to share with friends, marrying flavors and textures so effortlessly. Once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to ordinary wraps. So grab your ingredients, and start wrapping up happiness today!
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Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a flavorful and healthy dish combining ground chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh vegetables seasoned with Asian-inspired sauces. The wraps are served with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce, making them a perfect light lunch or appetizer that’s quick to prepare and packed with savory, spicy, and fresh flavors all wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, diced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Butter lettuce leaves (for wrapping)
For the Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to adjust sauce consistency)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken and vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil together in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, diced shiitake mushrooms, diced carrot, and diced shallot. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully browned and the vegetables have softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic and ginger become fragrant but not burnt.
- Season the filling: Pour in the hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce. Stir well to combine and heat through for about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and fold in the chopped cilantro to retain its fresh flavor.
- Prepare the peanut sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and grated ginger until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water gradually to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the warm chicken mixture into the center of each butter lettuce leaf. Drizzle generously with the prepared peanut sauce. Serve immediately as a light meal or appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or tofu for a different protein variation.
- Adjust the level of chili garlic sauce to make the wraps more or less spicy according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure you use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce.
- Shiitake mushrooms can be replaced with cremini or button mushrooms if unavailable.
- The peanut sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Serve with a side of steamed rice or extra vegetables for a fuller meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
