Name: Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon sesame oil; ¼ cup diced onion (yellow or white); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger or ginger paste; 10 oz ground chicken; ¼ cup Tamari (low sodium) or soy sauce or coconut aminos; 2 Tablespoons Thai sweet red chili sauce (e.g., Trader Joe’s); Juice of 1 lime; 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey or agave; ⅓ cup cashews, chopped (raw or roasted/salted); ¼ cup scallions, chopped; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped; ¼–½ cup shredded carrots; Sesame seeds for topping; 1 head butter lettuce, leaves removed, rinsed, and dried

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Introduction

These Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fresh and flavorful meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Combining savory ground chicken with aromatic herbs and a tangy chili sauce, they offer a delightful blend of textures and tastes wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves.

Three bright green lettuce leaves are arranged on a white plate, each leaf filled with a mixture of cooked ground meat, thin orange carrot strips, green chopped scallions, and small light brown nuts scattered throughout. The texture of the meat looks juicy and slightly glossy, mixed well with the crunchy vegetables and nuts. Around the plate, there are small garnishes of green herbs and a small dish with chopped greens to the lower left. The surface below is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame oil
¼ cup diced onion (yellow or white)
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger or ginger paste
10 oz ground chicken
¼ cup Tamari (low sodium) or soy sauce, or coconut aminos
2 tablespoons Thai sweet red chili sauce (such as Trader Joe’s)
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon maple syrup, honey, or agave
⅓ cup chopped cashews (raw or roasted/salted)
¼ cup chopped scallions
¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
¼ to ½ cup shredded carrots
Sesame seeds for topping
1 head butter lettuce, leaves removed, rinsed, and dried

Instructions

Step 1: Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to brown and turn translucent. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking together for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken turns golden brown and is no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the Tamari or soy sauce, Thai sweet red chili sauce, lime juice, and maple syrup or honey. Mix well.
Step 4: Sprinkle the chopped cashews over the chicken in the pan. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and toss to combine. Lower the heat and let it cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in the shredded carrots, chopped scallions, and cilantro.
Step 5: To assemble the wraps, spoon the chicken mixture onto individual butter lettuce leaves. Drizzle with any remaining sauce from the pan and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced fresh chili to the sauce.
Substitute ground turkey or pork if you prefer a different protein.
Use romaine or iceberg lettuce if butter lettuce is unavailable.
Add shredded cabbage or bell peppers for additional crunch and color.

Storage

Store leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce leaves separate to prevent sogginess. Reheat the chicken gently in a pan or microwave before serving. Assemble wraps fresh for the best texture.

How to Serve

There are three lettuce cups on a white plate, each filled with a mixture of ground meat that is golden brown, thin orange carrot strips, light brown cashew nuts, and bright green sliced scallions, sprinkled with white sesame seeds. The lettuce leaves are bright green and fresh, forming a bowl-like shape holding the filling. A woman's hand is holding one of the lettuce cups from the left side of the image. The plate is set against a white marbled surface, with a partial view of a glass bowl filled with more of the meat mixture on the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these lettuce wraps ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken filling a day in advance and refrigerate it. Keep the lettuce leaves separate and assemble the wraps just before serving to keep them crisp.

What can I use if I don’t have Thai sweet red chili sauce?

If you don’t have Thai sweet red chili sauce, a mixture of sweet chili sauce and a bit of sriracha can work as a substitute to achieve a similar sweet and spicy flavor.