If you’re on the hunt for a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that feels both fresh and indulgent, the Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is your new best friend. This dish perfectly balances savory ground chicken and earthy shiitake mushrooms with the brightness of fresh herbs and a luscious, creamy peanut sauce that brings everything to life. Light enough to keep you feeling great but rich in texture and spice, these lettuce wraps are a delightful crowd-pleaser for lunch, dinner, or even a party appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first joy in preparing this recipe. Each item plays a key role, from the juicy ground chicken to the punchy garlic and ginger, all culminating in a silky peanut sauce that elevates every bite.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral base for cooking your chicken that won’t overpower the flavors.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a subtle nutty aroma that complements the peanut sauce beautifully.
- Ground chicken: The lean protein foundation that absorbs all the wonderful spices and sauces.
- Shiitake mushrooms, diced: Bring an earthy, umami depth and meaty texture.
- Carrot, peeled and diced: Adds a splash of vibrant color and natural sweetness.
- Shallot, diced: Offers a mild onion flavor with a hint of garlic for complexity.
- Garlic, minced: Essential for an aromatic punch that wakes up the dish.
- Freshly grated ginger: Adds warming spice and brightness.
- Hoisin sauce: Brings a sweet and tangy depth that caramelizes lightly when cooked.
- Chili garlic sauce: Injects savory heat to keep things lively.
- Fish sauce: A salty, umami booster that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: Lifts the dish with herbaceous freshness.
- Butter lettuce: The perfect crisp, tender vessel for wrapping all the tasty fillings.
- For the peanut sauce: Creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and freshly grated ginger come together to create a silky, tangy, and slightly spicy dressing.
How to Make Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken and Vegetables
Begin by heating vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, shiitake mushrooms, diced carrot, and shallot. Let these cook and mingle together until the chicken turns golden brown and any moisture from the mushrooms evaporates—about 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish light and fresh.
Step 2: Add Aromatics
Now stir in minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. These aromatics wilt quickly and release their fragrances, so cook them just until you can smell that warm, inviting scent—around one minute. This step is where the flavor starts to deepen beautifully.
Step 3: Season the Mixture
Add hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce to the skillet. These sauces bring a superb balance of sweetness, heat, and umami that will coat every morsel. Stir everything together and let it heat through for about 30 seconds before removing from the heat. Fold in chopped fresh cilantro right at the end to preserve its bright flavor.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and freshly grated ginger until fully combined. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, a little at a time, to reach a smooth, spoonable consistency that’s perfect for drizzling over your lettuce wraps.
Step 5: Build Your Wraps
To serve the Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe, simply spoon the savory chicken mixture into the center of crisp butter lettuce leaves and drizzle generously with the luscious peanut sauce. Eat immediately for the freshest crunch!
How to Serve Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can take your wraps from delicious to dazzling. Consider sprinkling chopped peanuts for crunch, extra cilantro for freshness, or thinly sliced green onions to add a mild onion bite. A squeeze of lime over the top right before serving also brightens all the flavors.
Side Dishes
For a complete meal, pair these wraps with light and refreshing sides such as a crisp cucumber salad drizzled with rice vinegar or a simple jasmine rice to soak up any extra peanut sauce. Easy pickled vegetables also complement the spicy, nutty flavors fantastically.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve your Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe on a large platter with separate bowls for the filling, peanut sauce, and garnishes. This allows everyone to customize each wrap to their liking and turns the meal into an interactive, fun experience that’s perfect for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cooked chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store your peanut sauce separately to keep it fresh and avoid the flavors blending prematurely.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the filling, it’s best to do so without the lettuce or peanut sauce. Portion the cooked chicken mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, warm the chicken mixture gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Avoid overheating the peanut sauce; simply give it a good stir and add a splash of water if it thickens up after refrigeration.
FAQs
Can I use other types of meat for this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, pork, or even finely chopped tofu work wonderfully as alternatives while maintaining the delicious texture of the dish.
How spicy is this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
The level of heat is quite adjustable. The chili garlic sauce adds a gentle kick, but you can easily use less or more according to your spice tolerance.
What type of lettuce works best for wraps?
Butter lettuce is ideal because its soft, wide leaves create a perfect cup for holding the filling without tearing.
Can I prepare the peanut sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The peanut sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be, with minor adjustments. Use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce to make sure the dish fits a gluten-free diet.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe, it will become a staple in your kitchen. It’s quick, packed with wholesome ingredients, and joyful to eat. Whether for a casual weeknight dinner or a lively get-together, these wraps deliver big on flavor and fun with every bite. Go ahead, give them a whirl—I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a vibrant and flavorful dish combining ground chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh vegetables with a savory and spicy peanut sauce. Perfect as a light, healthy meal or appetizer, they bring a delightful crunch with butter lettuce wraps and a balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that make for a crowd-pleasing treat in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, diced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon 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), about 8-12 leaves
For the Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)
Instructions
- Heat the oils and cook chicken mixture: In a large cast iron skillet, heat the vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, diced shiitake mushrooms, diced carrot, and diced shallot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully browned and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger into the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
- Incorporate sauces and cilantro: Add the hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and cook for about 30 seconds more until everything is heated through. Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the chopped fresh cilantro.
- 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 freshly grated ginger. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to thin the sauce to your desired consistency, whisking until smooth.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the warm chicken mixture into the centers of butter lettuce leaves. Drizzle each wrap generously with the prepared peanut sauce. Serve immediately as an appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or tofu for chicken for a different protein option.
- Adjust the chili garlic sauce amount to control spiciness according to preference.
- Butter lettuce is recommended for its soft texture, but iceberg lettuce can also be used for added crunch.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure hoisin sauce is gluten-free.
- For a low-sodium version, reduce soy sauce and omit fish sauce or use a low-sodium alternative.
