If you are looking for a vibrant and delicious way to enjoy dinner tonight, this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is an absolute winner. It combines juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce, all nestled in crisp, fresh lettuce leaves. The layers of crunchy veggies and zesty lime elevate every bite, making it a refreshing yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for sharing or meal prep. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to dishes for a light but flavorful dinner or lunch option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a starring role. Every element is carefully chosen to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color, giving you a dish that’s as delightful to eat as it is to look at.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The main protein, tender and juicy when prepared just right.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps with grilling and sautéing the chicken.
- Ground cumin and turmeric: These warm spices add depth and a touch of earthiness to the chicken.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and brightening the flavors.
- Boston or butter lettuce leaves: Your crisp and refreshing vessel for all the tasty fillings.
- Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced for color and crunch.
- Matchstick carrots and cucumbers: Provide a fresh, crisp bite and a cool contrast to the warm chicken.
- Chopped peanuts: Add crunchy texture and a nutty punch.
- Lime juice: A bright, acidic finish that lifts the whole dish.
- Fresh cilantro: For a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient in your sauce, bringing creaminess and rich peanut flavor.
- Honey: Balances the savory and acidic components with a natural sweetness.
- Rice vinegar and soy sauce: Create the perfect tangy and salty base for the peanut sauce.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): For those who like a little gentle heat in their peanut sauce.
How to Make Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
Start with a small, powerful blender where you’ll combine creamy peanut butter, honey, olive oil, water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Blend everything until the sauce is perfectly smooth and creamy. This luscious peanut sauce is the defining flavor that brings all the ingredients together, so refrigerate it while you prepare the chicken and veggies.
Step 2: Season and Prep the Chicken
Trim any fat from your chicken breasts and halve them lengthwise if they’re thick. To even out the thickness, gently pound the chicken with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan. This ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy. After patting the chicken dry, drizzle olive oil onto one side and sprinkle half of the salt, pepper, turmeric, and cumin, massaging the spices into the chicken. Flip it over and repeat with the remaining oil and spices.
Step 3: Grill the Chicken to Perfection
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, whether indoors or outdoors. Generously oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken breasts for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden char and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Once grilled, cover with foil and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes—this helps retain juicy tenderness. After cooling slightly, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Prepare the Fresh Veggies and Peanuts
While the chicken is grilling, slice your red bell pepper into thin matchsticks and julienne the carrots and cucumbers to similar sizes. This creates a gorgeous, crunchy medley that contrasts wonderfully with the savory chicken. If your peanuts aren’t salted, sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on the veggies to enhance flavor. Chop the peanuts finely to sprinkle on top for that perfect nutty texture.
Step 5: Assemble the Wraps
Rinse and dry the lettuce leaves thoroughly so they hold everything without wilting. Evenly distribute the diced chicken into each leaf, then layer on the carrots, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro leaves, and finish with a squeeze of bright lime juice. Drizzle the creamy peanut sauce generously over the top for a truly satisfying bite.
Step 6: Optional Sauté Method
If you don’t have a grill or prefer a stovetop method, you can season bite-sized chicken pieces and sauté them in olive oil over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fully cooked. This method is quick and just as tasty. Just let the chicken cool before assembling the wraps for a cool and crisp experience.
How to Serve Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts are fantastic garnishes that add vibrant green color and satisfying crunch. A generous squeeze of lime juice brightens up every bite and ties all the flavors together. Don’t hesitate to add extra chili flakes or fresh chopped chili if you like a kick of heat to balance the creamy peanut sauce.
Side Dishes
These wraps shine as a light meal on their own, but you can complement them with simple sides like jasmine rice, steamed edamame, or a bowl of miso soup to make the meal more substantial. A crisp Asian slaw with a tangy dressing also pairs beautifully for extra veggies on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe on a large platter with different bowls of veggies, peanuts, and sauces so everyone can build their own wraps at the table. It’s a fun, interactive meal perfect for casual dinners or gatherings. For a picnic or lunchbox, wrap each leaf around the filling and secure with a toothpick to keep everything neatly in place and portable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover chicken and peanut sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce and fresh vegetables separate from the cooked ingredients to prevent sogginess and maintain crisp freshness.
Freezing
The cooked chicken and peanut sauce freeze well for up to 2 months. Freeze them in separate containers or freezer bags. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat the chicken gently before assembling the wraps. The fresh veggies and lettuce are best added fresh when serving.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken gently on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook, as this can dry it out. Reheat the peanut sauce briefly if desired, though it can also be served cold. Assemble the wraps just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
FAQs
Can I use other types of lettuce for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Boston or butter lettuce leaves work beautifully because of their size and tenderness, you can also use romaine, iceberg, or even kale if you prefer. Just choose leaves that are sturdy enough to hold the fillings without tearing.
Is this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it can be! Just make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the peanut sauce to keep the recipe completely gluten-free. All other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
For a plant-based twist, swap the chicken for sautéed tofu or tempeh and use maple syrup instead of honey in the peanut sauce. The flavors will still be delightfully rich and satisfying.
How spicy is the peanut sauce?
The base peanut sauce has a gentle warmth thanks to black pepper, with the option to add cayenne pepper if you like your wraps a bit spicier. You can adjust the spice level easily depending on your preference.
What’s the best way to julienne the veggies?
The key to perfect matchstick veggies is using a sharp knife and cutting thin, even strips. If you have a mandoline slicer, it makes quick work of this job, creating uniform pieces that look beautiful and are easy to eat inside the wraps.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe enough if you want something fresh, flavorful, and full of texture that’s easy to prepare anytime. It’s truly a crowd-pleaser whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just treating yourself to a satisfying meal. Give it a try soon and enjoy the bright, nutty, and savory flavors that make these wraps such a star in my kitchen.
Print
Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 lettuce wraps (serves 4)
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American with Asian-inspired flavors
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Juicy grilled chicken seasoned with aromatic spices is combined with crunchy vegetables and topped with a luscious, tangy peanut sauce, all wrapped in crisp Boston or butter lettuce leaves. This recipe is easy to prepare, gluten-free, and packed with texture and taste, offering a healthy and satisfying meal option.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3/4 of 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 13 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (divided use)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided use)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (divided use)
Vegetables and Nuts
- 12 large Boston lettuce leaves or butter lettuce leaves
- 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced into matchsticks (about 1 cup)
- 1–1/4 cup matchstick carrots (julienned)
- 1–1/4 cup matchstick Persian cucumber or English cucumber, julienned (2 to 3 Persian cucumbers or 1 English cucumber)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts (preferably salted)
Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons water
- 1–1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1–1/2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Toppings
- Lime juice, for topping
- Fresh cilantro, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small, powerful blender, combine the creamy peanut butter, honey, olive oil, water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Blend until completely smooth. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the chicken and vegetables.
- Season the Chicken: Trim any fat from the chicken breasts and halve them lengthwise if they are thick. Using a meat mallet or bottom of a heavy pan, pound chicken to even thickness for uniform cooking. Pat dry with paper towels. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon olive oil on one side and rub in. Sprinkle half the salt, pepper, turmeric, and cumin on the same side, pressing spices gently into the meat. Flip the chicken and repeat with remaining oil and spices.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high (400-450°F). Oil the grill grates generously with a paper towel soaked in oil held by tongs to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and cover loosely with foil; let rest for 5–10 minutes to retain juices. Dice into bite-sized pieces once cooled slightly.
- Prepare Vegetables and Peanuts: While chicken grills, slice the red bell pepper into thin matchsticks. Julienne the carrots and cucumbers similarly. If peanuts are unsalted, sprinkle a pinch of salt over the vegetables to enhance flavor. Chop peanuts finely.
- Assemble Wraps: Wash and thoroughly dry lettuce leaves to keep them crisp. Evenly distribute diced chicken onto each leaf, then layer with prepared vegetables and chopped peanuts. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lime juice. Drizzle the chilled peanut sauce generously over each wrap.
- Alternative Cooking Method: Alternatively, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, toss with the seasoning blend, and sauté in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken cool slightly and dice smaller before assembling the wraps as described above.
Notes
- Grilling the chicken adds a smoky flavor and beautiful char marks, but sautéing is a quick and convenient alternative.
- Ensure the lettuce leaves are completely dry to prevent sogginess in the wraps.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper in the peanut sauce to control the spice level or omit it if preferred.
- Use salted peanuts or add a pinch of salt to raw peanuts to balance the flavors.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free; ensure soy sauce used is gluten-free if required.
- Serve immediately after assembly for best texture and freshness.
