If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with bold flavors, vibrant textures, and a little bit of fun, this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It combines juicy ground chicken with earthy shiitake mushrooms and crisp carrots, all wrapped up in refreshing butter lettuce leaves, then topped with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce that makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re looking for a light meal or something to impress at your next gathering, this recipe ticks all the boxes and will soon become a go-to favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to deliver a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. You’ll appreciate how simple staples come together effortlessly to create something truly special.
- Vegetable oil: For a neutral base that’s perfect for sautéing without overpowering other flavors.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma that elevates the entire dish.
- Ground chicken: Lean, tender protein that cooks quickly and soaks up all the delicious seasonings.
- Shiitake mushrooms, diced: Earthy and meaty, these deepen the umami profile.
- Carrot, peeled and diced: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and a nice crunch.
- Shallot, diced: Delicate and slightly sweet, delivering subtle onion flavor.
- Garlic, minced: Brings boldness and sharpness that wakes up the palate.
- Freshly grated ginger: Offers warmth and slight zestiness for a perfect punch.
- Hoisin sauce: Sweet and savory, it ties the ingredients together beautifully.
- Chili garlic sauce: Adds gentle heat and garlicky depth—adjust to taste.
- Fish sauce: Packs umami complexity, enhancing every bite without fishiness.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: Bright herbaceous note that lifts the whole dish.
- Butter lettuce (for wrapping): Soft, crisp leaves that make the perfect edible vessel for the filling.
For the peanut sauce:
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that creates a luscious, smooth sauce.
- Reduced sodium soy sauce: Adds salty umami without overwhelming the peanut butter.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Provides brightness and a fresh tang.
- Brown sugar: Balances acidity with subtle caramel sweetness.
- Chili garlic sauce (or more to taste): To keep that smoky, spicy kick alive in the sauce.
- Freshly grated ginger: Enhances the sauce’s warmth and complexity.
How to Make Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Start by heating a mix of vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat—this oil combo creates a perfect base for the flavors to develop. Add the ground chicken, diced shiitake mushrooms, carrot, and shallot, cooking until the chicken is nicely browned and the veggies are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure to drain any excess fat so the mixture doesn’t get greasy.
Step 2: Add Aromatics
Once the chicken and veggies have cooked through, stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. Cook this fragrant combo for just about a minute until you can really smell their incredible aroma streaming up from the pan. This is where the flavor deepens and the dish starts to come alive.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Next, stir in the hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce. These three powerhouse sauces bring a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and umami notes. Give everything a good mix until it’s well combined and heated through, about 30 seconds, then remove the skillet from the heat and fold in freshly chopped cilantro to add a fresh, herbal touch.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and freshly grated ginger. Whisk it all together until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water gradually to achieve a silky, pourable consistency perfect for drizzling.
Step 5: Assemble Your Lettuce Wraps
Now the fun part: spoon the warm chicken mixture into the center of crisp butter lettuce leaves. Drizzle generously with the luscious peanut sauce you just whipped up. Each wrap offers a perfect blend of savory chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy, tangy peanut goodness.
How to Serve Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnishes can take this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe to the next level. Sprinkle extra chopped peanuts or fresh cilantro on top for crunch and fresh herbaceousness. Thinly sliced green onions or a squeeze of lime juice can add lovely brightness, while a dash of chili flakes provides an extra kick if you like it spicy.
Side Dishes
These wraps are delicious on their own but pair beautifully with light and refreshing sides. Consider serving with a crunchy Asian cucumber salad or a simple jasmine rice. For something heartier, a bowl of miso soup or steamed edamame makes a great complement to the bold flavors of the wraps.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or family-style meal, arrange the lettuce leaves on a large platter with bowls of the chicken mixture and peanut sauce on the side so everyone can build their own wraps. You can also serve it deconstructed on plates for a modern twist, with the peanut sauce drizzled artistically alongside the chicken and some extra veggies for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe, store the chicken filling and peanut sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps textures and flavors fresh, especially preserving the crispness of the peanut sauce when drizzled just before eating.
Freezing
The cooked chicken mixture freezes very well, making it perfect for busy days. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove excess air. It will keep for up to 3 months. However, avoid freezing the peanut sauce or lettuce, as their texture won’t hold up after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken filling gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Give it a quick stir to redistribute juices. When ready to eat, grab fresh butter lettuce leaves and spoon the warm filling onto them, then dress with fresh peanut sauce for that unbeatable flavor contrast.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works well as a lean substitute and will absorb all the delicious seasonings just like chicken. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly as you would with chicken.
How spicy is this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
The level of spiciness can be easily adjusted by the amount of chili garlic sauce you add. Start with less if you prefer mild flavors—you can always add more to kick it up after tasting.
What if I don’t have shiitake mushrooms? Can I skip them?
You can definitely omit the shiitake mushrooms or replace them with other mushrooms like cremini or button mushrooms. They add earthiness and texture but aren’t absolutely necessary for a delicious result.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce, as some brands contain wheat. Otherwise, all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I prepare the peanut sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The peanut sauce can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving, and add a splash of water if it thickened too much.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is a delightful blend of textures and bold flavors that’s easy to prepare and endlessly satisfying. It’s perfect for sharing with friends, serving at casual gatherings, or just enjoying a fresh, healthy meal at home. Give it a try—you might just find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again!
Print
Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps feature a savory ground chicken mixture combined with shiitake mushrooms, carrot, and a flavorful blend of garlic, ginger, hoisin, chili, and fish sauces. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce and drizzled with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce, this dish is a perfect light and fresh appetizer or main course that comes together quickly in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon 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 tablespoon 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
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 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to thin sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken Mixture: Heat vegetable oil and toasted sesame oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, diced shiitake mushrooms, diced carrot, and shallot. Cook until the chicken is fully browned and the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant to enhance the flavor base.
- Incorporate Sauces and Herbs: Add hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and cook for an additional 30 seconds until heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in chopped fresh cilantro for a fresh herbal note.
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, reduced sodium soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and freshly grated ginger. Gradually add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water, mixing until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon the warm chicken mixture into individual butter lettuce leaves. Drizzle each wrap generously with the prepared peanut sauce. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and crisp texture.
Notes
- Use butter lettuce for its soft texture and cup-like leaves, ideal for holding the filling.
- Adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce in both the chicken mixture and peanut sauce to control spiciness according to your taste.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the hoisin sauce and soy sauce used are certified gluten-free varieties.
- This recipe can be made with ground turkey or pork as alternatives to chicken.
- Leftover chicken mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To save time, prepare the peanut sauce in advance and store it covered in the fridge.
