Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fresh, flavorful, and healthy dish combining tender chicken cooked in a savory peanut sauce, served crisp in fresh lettuce leaves. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, they offer a wonderful balance of protein, crunch, and creamy peanut flavor with hints of garlic, ginger, and lime.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tbsp peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1–2 tbsp water (to thin sauce, if needed)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 small carrot, shredded
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Serving
- 1 head butter or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried
- Lime wedges (optional)
- Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lettuce: Carefully separate the lettuce leaves from the head, wash thoroughly, and pat dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner. Set aside to keep them crisp for wrapping.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as it cooks.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and 1-2 tablespoons water until smooth and well combined. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
- Add Vegetables and Garnish: Stir in the shredded carrot and sliced green onions, mixing well. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Wraps: Spoon the peanut chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf. Top with chopped roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the wraps for extra zing.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or tofu as an alternative to chicken for variation.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of Sriracha or red pepper flakes to the peanut sauce.
- If peanut allergies are a concern, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Make sure lettuce leaves are well dried to prevent soggy wraps.
- These wraps can be prepped in advance by cooking the chicken mixture and storing separately from the lettuce.
