Weeknight Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These delicious chicken lettuce wraps are perfect for busy families who want something fresh and tasty without spending hours in the kitchen! Kids and adults both love the fun, hands-on eating style, plus you’ll have a healthy dinner on the table in under an hour.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 35 minutes, Total Time: 45 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Heart-Healthy, High-Protein, Egg-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 342 Calories, 21g Fat, 19g Carbs, 23g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Hoisin sauce: You’ll need 3½ tablespoons of this sweet and savory sauce that gives our wraps that amazing Asian flavor. It’s the secret to making these taste like restaurant quality!

Rice vinegar: Just 2 tablespoons adds the perfect tangy brightness to balance all the rich flavors. Regular white vinegar works too if that’s what you have.

Toasted sesame oil: One tablespoon of this liquid gold brings such a nutty, deep flavor. Don’t skip it – it really makes a difference!

Lower-sodium soy sauce: One tablespoon gives us that salty, umami taste we’re craving. The lower-sodium version keeps things healthier without losing flavor.

Fresh ginger: You’ll need 1 tablespoon grated, which adds such a fresh, zesty kick. Pre-grated from a jar works great too!

Garlic: One teaspoon grated brings that aromatic punch we all love. Fresh is best, but jarred minced garlic saves time.

Neutral oil: You’ll need 2 tablespoons total, divided. Canola or avocado oil work perfectly for cooking everything up.

Ground chicken: One pound is the star of our show! Look for a mix of light and dark meat for the juiciest results.

Red bell pepper: One small pepper chopped up adds beautiful color and sweet crunch. Any color bell pepper works great.

Shiitake mushrooms: A 5-ounce package chopped gives us amazing earthy flavor and keeps everything moist and delicious.

Water chestnuts: One 5-ounce can drained and chopped brings that signature crunch we love in lettuce wraps.

Scallions: Five small ones thinly sliced give you about ¾ cup total. We’ll use some in the filling and save some for topping!

Butter lettuce: Twelve medium leaves make the perfect little cups for our filling. Their soft, pliable texture is ideal for wrapping.

Matchstick carrots: Just ¼ cup adds extra crunch and pretty orange color on top. You can buy these pre-cut to save time!

How to Make Weeknight Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Step 1: Mix your sauce first by stirring hoisin, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger and garlic together in a small bowl. Set this aside – it’s going to make everything taste amazing!

Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and break it into clumps with a wooden spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for about 8 minutes until it’s nicely browned on the bottom. Then stir and break it into smaller pieces, cooking for another 3 minutes until it’s completely cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a medium bowl and don’t clean the pan yet!

Step 3: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the bell pepper and mushrooms, stirring often until they’re tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Now add back the chicken, water chestnuts, and that delicious sauce mixture you made earlier. Stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until all the liquid gets absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup of the sliced scallions.

Step 4: Time for the fun part! Place about ¼ cup of the chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf. Top with the matchstick carrots and remaining ¼ cup scallions. Serve immediately while everything is warm and fresh!

Easy and Quick Weeknight Chicken Lettuce Wraps Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead! Just shred about 3 cups of rotisserie chicken and add it to the cooked vegetables along with the sauce. This cuts your cooking time down to just 15 minutes total!

Serving Ideas

These lettuce wraps make a complete, satisfying meal all on their own! If you want to round out the dinner, try serving them with some crunchy cabbage slaw, steamed brown rice, or a simple vegetable stir-fry on the side.

Storage

The chicken filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. Just reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving. Always assemble the lettuce wraps fresh right before eating to keep the lettuce crisp!

Substitutions

No shiitake mushrooms? No problem! White button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms work great too. Can’t find water chestnuts? Try chopped jicama for that same satisfying crunch. Ground turkey makes an excellent substitute for the chicken if that’s what you have on hand.

Pro Tips

• Keep it juicy: Look for ground chicken that’s a mix of light and dark meat for the most flavor and moisture.
• Prevent soggy wraps: Make sure to cook the filling until all the liquid is absorbed – this is key!
• Prep ahead: You can make the filling up to 2 days ahead and just reheat when ready to serve.
• Perfect lettuce: Gently separate the lettuce leaves and give them a quick rinse and pat dry for the best cups.

FAQs

Is ground chicken healthy?

You bet! When ground chicken contains both breast and dark meat, it’s comparable to ground turkey and 93%-lean ground beef. It’s a great source of protein and provides several vitamins and minerals. If you want to cut back on fat, choose ground chicken breast which is about 98% meat and just 2% fat.

Are water chestnuts nutritious?

Sure are! Water chestnuts are low in calories and high in fiber. Plus, they add that satisfying crunch and a nice nutrient boost to your meal.

Can I use a different type of mushroom?

Absolutely! You can use white or cremini mushrooms if you can’t find fresh shiitake mushrooms. They’ll work perfectly in this recipe.

What goes well with chicken lettuce wraps?

These wraps pair beautifully with cabbage slaw, vegetable stir-fry, or a mixed green salad. Add some brown rice on the side for a complete, healthy weeknight dinner!

How do you make lettuce wraps not soggy?

The key is cooking the filling until all the liquid is absorbed! Mushrooms have high water content, so make sure to cook them over medium-high heat until the moisture evaporates completely.

Can I make chicken lettuce wraps ahead?

The filling can definitely be made ahead! Prepare the recipe through step 3, let it cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Just assemble the wraps fresh when you’re ready to eat.

I hope you and your family love these lettuce wraps as much as we do! They’re such a fun way to enjoy a healthy dinner together. Let me know how yours turn out – I’d love to hear about any creative variations you try!