Description
These Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps combine flavorful ground chicken with fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty sauce wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Ready in under 30 minutes, they offer a healthy, low-carb meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or snacks, delivering a delicious blend of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy Thai-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine lettuce, leaves separated, washed, and dried
Aromatics and Vegetables
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
Sauces and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or tamari for vegan/gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 fresh chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnishes and Extras
- 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dry the lettuce leaves carefully so they’re crisp and easy to handle. Chop the green onions, mince garlic and ginger, grate the carrots, and roughly chop your herbs and peanuts to be ready for cooking and garnishing.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a bit of sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until lightly browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Stir in the minced garlic, ginger, and green onions, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, add soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice to the pan, stirring well to combine and let the flavors meld.
- Mix in Vegetables and Herbs: Fold in the grated carrots, cilantro, and mint for fresh bursts of flavor and crunch. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle with crushed peanuts and chili flakes if using.
- Assemble the Wraps: Carefully spoon the warm chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf, creating little handheld parcels. Serve immediately for the best crispness and flavor.
Notes
- Use Fresh Lettuce: Selecting crisp, firm leaves helps your wraps hold the filling without tearing.
- Don’t Overcook Chicken: Keep the meat tender by cooking just until no longer pink.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste the filling before serving and adjust lime juice, fish sauce, or sugar to your preferred tang and savory level.
- Prep Ahead: Make the filling in advance and store separately to keep lettuce fresh.
- Add Texture Last: Add peanuts and herbs after cooking to maintain their crunch and bright flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap with filling
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Thai, lettuce wraps, chicken, low carb, gluten free, healthy, quick meal, Asian-inspired, easy recipe