Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Our Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce combine chicken thighs with a velvety peanut sauce, butter lettuce, and crunchy veggies. This low-carb meal is simple, delicious, and will satisfy the whole family.
Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wrap
While we love a hearty chicken sandwich or tortilla wrap, we also love these small bites too. This simple recipe is on the leaner side but is still filling and delicious. I hope you give this one a try!
While I love making recipes with chicken breasts, I really love using chicken thighs too. Dark meat works great because it’s more forgiving when it comes to getting it cooked just right. White meat tends to overcook quickly so watching it close is paramount.
The star of the show is most definitely the velvety peanut sauce. We love it and it stores nicely in the refrigerator too. Try this Thai Peanut Sauce in our Spicy Peanut Noodles and our Buddha Bowls too.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE TO MAKE – This recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together fairly quickly. We normally make the sauce in advance so dinnertime is quick. Just store the sauce in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before using. You can also give it a quick reheat in the microwave as well.
- SUPER DELICIOUS – If you’re a peanut butter lover like I am, you’ll love this simple recipe. The sauce makes everything come together and makes the chicken wraps extra delish.
- LEAN AND MEAN – This recipe is on the healthier side with plenty of veggies and protein. Serve it as an appetizer or a light meal.
Ingredients used:
For the chicken wraps:
- Chicken Thighs – or use chicken breasts
- Avocado Oil – Avocado Oil has a high smoke point and works well for sauteing the chicken. You could use any oil, however.
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika
- Butter Lettuce – These work great for wraps but you could use romaine lettuce too.
- Other Veggies – red bell pepper, cucumber, carrots
For the peanut Sauce:
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Soy Sauce
- Rice Vinegar
- Sesame Oil plus Toasted Sesame Oil
- Fish Sauce
- Chili Garlic Sauce
- Sugar
- Water (if needed)
How to make Chicken Lettuce Wraps:
Step 1
Make the peanut sauce. In a small mixing bowl (or food processor), combine the peanut sauce ingredients – the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, toasted sesame oil, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, and sugar. Mix until well combined. Add a little cold water if needed to thin.
Step 2
Prep veggies. Clean and pat dry the butter lettuce. Chop veggies – bell pepper and cucumber.
Step 3
Prep chicken. Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Remove visible fat. Add seasonings to the chicken – salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.
Step 4
Cook chicken. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and then half of the chicken. Cook until done, stirring occasionally and moving the chicken around in the skillet. Remove cooked chicken to a clean bowl and let rest for 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken.
NOTE: Chicken thighs are technically done at an internal temperature of 165 degrees f. But it’s recommended to cook them to an even higher temp of 180-185 degrees for a juicier meat.
Step 5
Add sauce to chicken. Add about 3/4 of the peanut sauce to the chicken and stir well to coat. Reserve remaining if needed to top wraps. (You may not need it all.)
Step 6
Assemble wraps. Add the chicken and veggies to the lettuce leaves to assemble. Enjoy!
If serving these wraps as a meal, pair them with a simple green salad or Cold Ramen Noodle Salad.
Other Chicken Recipes:
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, you can use chicken breasts but be careful to avoid drying the chicken out. Chicken thighs are a little more forgiving.
Yes, you can add or substitute ingredients based on your preference. Try other fresh veggies like snow peas, onions, or broccoli.
You can prepare the filling and peanut sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the filling and assemble the wraps fresh to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
For chicken lettuce wraps:
- 2 pounds chicken thighs – cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1-2 Tablespoons avocado oil – or olive oil
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- butter lettuce leaves
- 1 cup red bell pepper – sliced thin
- 1 cup cucumber – sliced thin
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- chopped peanuts
For the peanut sauce:
- 6 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 3 Tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar
- cold water – if needed to thin sauce
Instructions
- Make the peanut sauce. In a small mixing bowl (or food processor), combine the peanut sauce ingredients – the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, toasted sesame oil, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, cold water, lime zest, and sugar. Mix until well combined. Add a little cold water if needed to thin.
- Prep veggies. Clean and pat dry the butter lettuce. Chop veggies – bell pepper and cucumber.
- Prep chicken. Slice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Remove visible fat. Add seasonings to the chicken – salt, pepper, onion powder, and paprika.
- Cook chicken. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and then half of the chicken. Cook until done, stirring occasionally and moving the chicken around in the skillet. Remove cooked chicken to a clean bowl and let rest for 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Add sauce to chicken. Add about 3/4 of peanut sauce to the chicken and stir well to coat. Reserve remaining if needed to top wraps.
- Assemble wraps. Add the chicken and veggies to the lettuce leaves to assemble. Enjoy!
Notes
- If serving these wraps as a meal, pair them with a simple green salad or Cold Ramen Noodle Salad.
- You can use chicken breasts but be careful to avoid drying the chicken out. Chicken thighs are a little more forgiving.
- You can prepare the filling and peanut sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the filling and assemble the wraps fresh to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
Love it! Lots of protein and veggies, plus I am a big peanut butter guy. Good stuff.
Yay!