Transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Thailand with our Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps. This easy-to-make dish is a delightful fusion of bold, zesty flavors and a satisfying, craveable crunch. Prepare to embark on a flavor adventure that will leave you feeling comforted, nourished, and eager to recreate this global favorite in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Dive into a world of flavors with these juicy, tender chicken bites nestled in crisp lettuce leaves and drizzled with a rich, creamy peanut sauce. The combination of the savory, slightly spicy chicken, the crunchy texture of the lettuce, and the lush, velvety peanut sauce creates a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. This dish is not only a feast for the senses but also a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
The key ingredients in this Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe include boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a variety of fresh herbs and veggies, and a flavorful peanut sauce. The savory chicken is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, while the crunchy lettuce leaves provide the perfect vessel for the delectable filling.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Ground ginger
- 1 tsp – Chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp – Vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cups – Shredded carrots
- 4 – Green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup – Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup – Creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp – Low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp – Rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp – Lime juice
- 1 tsp – Honey
- 1 head – Bibb or Boston lettuce, leaves separated
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: Ground turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken (for convenience)
- Lettuce: Crisp cabbage leaves (for a heartier wrap)
How to Make Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Begin by preparing the chicken. Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with a blend of garlic powder, ground ginger, chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, and once it’s hot, add a drizzle of oil. Sauté the seasoned chicken until it’s cooked through and slightly charred, about 6-8 minutes.
Step 1: Prep Work
While the chicken is cooking, gather the remaining ingredients. Finely chop the red bell pepper, shredded carrots, green onions, and fresh cilantro. In a separate bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, and a touch of honey to create the flavorful peanut sauce.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped vegetables and toss everything together to combine. Spoon the Thai peanut chicken mixture into the crisp lettuce leaves, making sure to distribute it evenly. Drizzle the peanut sauce over the top, garnishing with additional cilantro and crushed peanuts for a delightful crunch.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
For an extra layer of flavor and texture, you can sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped roasted peanuts over the top of the assembled lettuce wraps. This will add a delightful nutty crunch to each bite.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for juicy, crispy-edged tofu.
- Adjust Heat Level: Add more or less chili powder to the chicken seasoning or use a milder or spicier peanut sauce.
- Serve Over Rice: Serve the Thai peanut chicken over a bed of steamed rice or quinoa for a heartier meal.
- Stuffed Peppers/Cucumber Boats: Use the peanut chicken filling to stuff fresh, crunchy bell pepper halves or hollowed-out cucumber boats.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are best served immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.
Storage: For any leftover chicken filling, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The peanut sauce can also be stored separately and will keep for up to 1 week.
Reheat: When ready to serve, simply reheat the chicken filling.
Make-Ahead: The peanut sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance, and the chicken can be seasoned and cooked ahead of time.
Nutrition Information
These Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a nutritious and satisfying meal option. Each serving provides a balance of protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the peanut sauce, and a variety of vitamins and minerals from the fresh vegetables.
- Serving Size: 2 lettuce wraps
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the peanut sauce in advance?
Absolutely! The peanut sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and makes for a quick and easy assembly when you’re ready to serve the lettuce wraps.
Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Certainly! While crisp Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves are traditional for Thai lettuce wraps, you can experiment with other types of lettuce, such as romaine, iceberg, or even cabbage leaves. Each will provide a slightly different texture and crunch to the dish.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
To make these Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps vegetarian or vegan, simply substitute the chicken with firm, crispy-edged tofu or sautéed mushrooms. For a vegan peanut sauce, use a plant-based milk or coconut milk instead of dairy-based ingredients.
Can I prep the ingredients in advance?
Absolutely! The chicken can be seasoned and cooked ahead of time, and the vegetables can be chopped and stored in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. The peanut sauce can also be made in advance, making this a quick and easy meal to pull together on a busy weeknight.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
If you’re a fan of bold, zesty flavors, you can easily adjust the heat level of this dish. Start by adding a touch more chili powder to the chicken seasoning. You can also increase the amount of chili sauce or crushed red pepper flakes in the peanut sauce. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning to your preferred level of spiciness.
Try These Next
- Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Sizzling Spicy Thai Chicken Skewers With Peanut Drizzle
- Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken Tacos With Crunchy Slaw
Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🌍 Global Flavors & Street Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a meal. Packed with flavor and perfect for a quick dinner or lunch!
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1 cup shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup peanut sauce
1 head of butter lettuce, leaves separated
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
1.
2. 1. In a large skillet, cook the ground chicken over medium heat until browned.
3. 2. Add the shredded carrots and diced red bell pepper; cook for another 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. 3. Stir in the peanut sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes until heated through.
5. 4. Remove from heat and stir in the sliced green onions.
6. 5. To serve, spoon the chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves.
7. 6. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to adjust the peanut sauce to your taste. You can also add more veggies or even some chopped water chestnuts for extra crunch!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lettuce wrap
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Thai, Peanut, Chicken, Lettuce Wraps, Healthy