Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Quick & Zesty Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe for Dinner

Crispy Asian chicken lettuce wraps dance with vibrant flavors that reimagine ordinary weeknight dinners into excitement-packed moments.

Tender meat mingles with bold seasonings, creating a perfect balance of crunch and zest.

Light, refreshing lettuce cups serve as delicate vessels for an explosion of taste sensations.

Delicate aromatics and complex spices weave through each delectable bite, promising a culinary adventure that tantalizes your palate.

Lean protein meets crisp vegetables in a harmonious blend that satisfies hunger and delights senses.

Bright, clean ingredients come together quickly, making this dish a go-to for busy home cooks seeking something extraordinary.

These wraps offer a playful twist on traditional comfort food that keeps you coming back for more.

Tips to Keep Chicken Juicy and Crisp Lettuce Fresh

  • Maximize Meat Texture: Continuously break down ground chicken while cooking to prevent large clumps and ensure even, tender pieces throughout the wrap.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Toast sesame oil and ginger briefly before adding other ingredients to intensify their aromatic qualities and release more complex flavor profiles.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sauce that perfectly coats the chicken and vegetables.
  • Select Sturdy Lettuce: Choose crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves with thick ribs that can hold the filling without tearing, creating a sturdy and delicious wrap.
  • Prep Ahead Smartly: Chop vegetables and mix sauce in advance, allowing faster assembly and ensuring all ingredients are ready when you start cooking.

Store and Reheat Chicken Filling with Ease

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep lettuce leaves separate to prevent sogginess and maintain their crisp texture.
  • Reheat: Warm the chicken mixture gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to keep the meat moist and prevent drying out.
  • Serving: When ready to enjoy, quickly refresh lettuce leaves by rinsing and patting dry. Scoop the reheated chicken into crisp lettuce wraps for a quick and delicious meal that tastes almost as good as the first serving.

What Sides Go with Lettuce Wraps

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the Asian chicken lettuce wraps with a chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, whose bright acidity cuts through the rich sauce and complements the delicate chicken flavors.
  • Refresh with Citrus Mocktail: Create a zesty non-alcoholic drink using fresh lime juice, sparkling water, a touch of ginger, and mint leaves to mirror the wraps' vibrant Asian-inspired profile.
  • Match with Crunchy Slaw Side: Prepare a tangy Asian-style coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a rice vinegar dressing to add extra texture and provide a complementary crunch to the lettuce wraps.
  • Serve with Jasmine Rice: Offer a small portion of steamed jasmine rice on the side, allowing guests to either enjoy separately or add into their lettuce wraps for additional substance and traditional Asian flair.

Mix Up Flavors in Your Lettuce Wrap Recipe

  • Spicy Thai Fusion: Replace ground chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken and add red chili flakes for an extra kick. Incorporate chopped Thai basil and a splash of fish sauce to enhance the authentic southeast Asian flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Protein Packed: Swap chicken with crumbled extra-firm tofu or tempeh. Add diced mushrooms for meaty texture and use tamari instead of soy sauce to create a plant-based version that's equally satisfying and protein-rich.
  • Korean-Inspired Wrap: Substitute hoisin sauce with gochujang paste and add kimchi for tangy heat. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and green onions on top for a Korean barbecue-style transformation that brings bold, complex flavors to the classic lettuce wrap.
  • Seafood Mediterranean Remix: Use ground shrimp or flaked white fish instead of chicken. Include diced cucumber, kalamata olives, and swap Asian sauces with a lemon-herb vinaigrette for a lighter, Mediterranean-inspired interpretation of the original recipe.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Full of Crunch and Flavor

  • Burst of Asian Flavors: Enjoy a tantalizing blend of sweet, savory, and umami tastes that dance on your palate with the perfectly balanced hoisin and soy sauce combination.
  • Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious meal in just 15-20 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a restaurant-quality dish at home.
  • Texture Sensation: Experience a delightful contrast of soft, tender ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and crisp lettuce leaves that create an exciting mouth-feel in every bite.
  • Healthy Wrap Adventure: Ditch heavy carbs for fresh, light lettuce leaves while still enjoying a protein-packed meal that's both nutritious and satisfying for health-conscious eaters.

What You’ll Need for Asian Lettuce Wraps

Protein Base:
  • Ground Chicken: Lean meat that provides the main protein and flavor for the lettuce wraps, choosing fresh and high-quality ground chicken for the best taste.
  • Water Chestnuts: Adds a crisp and crunchy texture to the filling, selecting fresh and firm water chestnuts for a nice bite.
Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Garlic, Ginger, Onion: Classic Asian flavor base that creates depth and complexity in the dish, using fresh ingredients for maximum taste.
  • Bell Pepper: Brings color, sweetness, and extra crunch to the filling, opting for bright and firm peppers.
Seasoning and Sauce Components:
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the chicken mixture.
  • Hoisin Sauce, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Sesame Oil: Creates a balanced and authentic Asian-style sauce with sweet, salty, and tangy notes.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy finish.
  • Romaine Lettuce: Serves as a fresh, crisp wrapper for the flavorful chicken filling, choosing large, sturdy leaves.
  • Cooking Oil: Provides a medium for sautéing the ingredients and preventing sticking.

How to Cook Chicken for Lettuce Wraps

Step 1: Whip Up The Flavor Explosion

In a small mixing bowl, blend hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated, creating a tantalizing sauce base.

Step 2: Sizzle The Chicken

Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and break it into small crumbles. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the meat turns golden and completely cooked through.

Step 3: Unleash The Veggie Power

Toss in diced ingredients:
  • Water chestnuts
  • Chopped bell pepper
  • Minced garlic
  • Grated ginger
  • Diced onion

Stir-fry these vibrant vegetables for 2-3 minutes until they release their aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Create The Magical Blend

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir continuously, allowing the sauce to coat every morsel. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the ingredients.

Step 5: Wrap And Roll

Carefully spoon the hot chicken mixture into crisp lettuce leaves. Choose wide, sturdy lettuce varieties like romaine or butter lettuce for the perfect wrap.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Plate the lettuce wraps immediately while they’re steaming hot. Each bite promises a delightful explosion of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Zesty Asian chicken lettuce wraps deliver a perfect balance of tangy and fresh flavors. Crisp lettuce leaves cradle spicy seasoned chicken, creating an irresistible handheld meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground chicken

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) water chestnuts, diced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ inch (1.27 cm) ginger, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 head romaine, 8 large leaves (or your choice of lettuce)

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) hoisin sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice wine vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Craft a vibrant, umami-rich sauce by whisking hoisin, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl until thoroughly integrated, creating a glossy, flavor-packed glaze.
  2. Warm oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, then introduce ground chicken, systematically breaking it apart with a spatula and sautéing until the meat transforms from pink to a uniform, appetizing color.
  3. Create a dynamic cooking landscape by sliding the cooked chicken to one side of the pan, then introducing water chestnuts, bell pepper, garlic, ginger, and onion to the vacant space, gently stir-frying until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
  4. Merge the chicken and vegetable components, then cascade the prepared sauce over the mixture, thoroughly incorporating all elements and allowing the sauce to caramelize and thicken for maximum flavor concentration.
  5. Select crisp, verdant lettuce leaves as your edible vessels, carefully portioning the sizzling chicken mixture into each leaf’s center, ensuring a balanced distribution of protein and vegetables.
  6. Present the lettuce wraps immediately while piping hot, inviting diners to experience a symphony of textures and flavors – from the succulent chicken to the crunchy vegetables and the rich, complex sauce.

Notes

  • Quick-cooking technique turns basic ingredients into a flavor-packed Asian-inspired meal that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
  • Mixing lean ground chicken with crisp vegetables creates a protein-rich filling that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
  • Lettuce leaves transform this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, offering a light, fresh wrapper that contrasts beautifully with the warm, saucy chicken mixture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 27 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star