Spicy, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying, these Thai-inspired Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a flavor adventure in every bite. Tender chicken and juicy pineapple mingle with a bold, spicy sauce, all wrapped up in crisp lettuce leaves for a truly craveable dish. Whether you’re craving a light and refreshing meal or want to wow your guests, this recipe is sure to delight.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These vibrant lettuce wraps are a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The balance of sweet, spicy, and savory elements creates a truly craveable experience, while the fresh, crisp lettuce leaves provide a delightful textural contrast. Plus, with simple, chef-tested steps, you can easily recreate this restaurant-worthy meal at home. Get ready to transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Thailand with every bite.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a mix of fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together to create a truly exceptional dish. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, shallot, garlic, Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and fresh cilantro. The combination of these vibrant flavors and textures is what makes this dish so irresistible.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
- 1 cup – Fresh pineapple, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (for a leaner option)
- Pineapple: Canned pineapple chunks (dietary swap)
How to Make Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Get ready to transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Thailand with every bite of these vibrant lettuce wraps.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by chopping the chicken, pineapple, bell pepper, shallot, and chili peppers. Mince the garlic and roughly chop the cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar to create the flavorful sauce.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large skillet or wok, sauté the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add the pineapple, bell pepper, shallot, and chili peppers, and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture, and toss to coat everything evenly. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Lastly, stir in the minced garlic and fresh cilantro.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Serve the spicy Thai pineapple chicken filling in crisp lettuce leaves, such as butter or romaine lettuce. Encourage your guests to top their wraps with any additional garnishes they desire, like extra cilantro, lime wedges, or a drizzle of sriracha or chili-garlic sauce.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Heartier Meal: Serve the chicken filling over steamed rice or quinoa.
- Extra Crunch: Top the wraps with toasted peanuts or cashews.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for sautéed tofu or mushrooms.
- Taming the Heat: Reduce the amount of chili peppers or use milder varieties.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Fresh lime wedges, extra cilantro, and your choice of chili-garlic sauce or sriracha.
Storage: The chicken filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble the wraps just before serving for the best texture.
Reheat: To reheat the filling, simply warm it in a skillet or the microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the chicken filling in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, simply reheat and assemble the wraps.
Nutrition Information
These vibrant, flavor-packed lettuce wraps are a light and healthy option, perfect for a satisfying meal. Each serving contains just 280 calories, with 29g of protein and 5g of fiber. The combination of lean chicken, fresh produce, and a zesty sauce makes this dish a nutritious and delicious choice.
- Serving Size: 2 lettuce wraps
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 29 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of protein?
Absolutely! While we recommend the bold, juicy flavor of chicken thighs, you can easily substitute with ground turkey, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
How can I make this dish less spicy?
To tone down the heat, simply use fewer Thai chili peppers or swap them for a milder variety, like jalapeño or serrano. You can also reduce the amount of fish sauce in the sauce.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, the chicken filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the filling and assemble the lettuce wraps.
What should I serve with these lettuce wraps?
These Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a complete and satisfying meal on their own. However, you can also serve them with steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh, crunchy salad for a well-rounded dish.
How can I make this recipe more kid-friendly?
To make this dish more appealing to little ones, you can reduce the amount of chili peppers or omit them entirely. You can also offer fun topping options, like shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, or chopped peanuts, to let them customize their own wraps.
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Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Spicy Thai Pineapple Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer, they are refreshing, healthy, and incredibly easy to make!
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground chicken
– 1 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon fish sauce
– 1 tablespoon chili sauce (adjust to taste)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
– 1/4 cup chopped green onions
– 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 head of butter lettuce (for wraps)
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. 2. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
4. 3. Add ground chicken to the skillet, cook until browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes).
5. 4. Stir in diced pineapple, soy sauce, fish sauce, and chili sauce. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until well combined.
6. 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 6. Remove from heat and stir in chopped green onions and cilantro.
8. 7. Serve the chicken mixture in lettuce leaves, enjoy!
Notes
– For extra crunch, add chopped water chestnuts to the chicken mixture.
– You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef if preferred.
– Adjust the amount of chili sauce based on your spice tolerance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: lettuce wraps, chicken, spicy, Thai, pineapple