Home » Recipes » Summer » Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Make these chicken lettuce wraps just like PF Chang’s. Learn how to make chicken stir-fry, peanut sauce and how I pick the best lettuce for the job.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (better than P.F. Chang’s!) – a quick, easy, and healthy dinner ready in under an hour! As a big fan of Asian food, P.F. Chang’s has always been one of my go-to spots, and their chicken lettuce wraps are a favorite. So, I set out to recreate them at home, and let me tell you—they’re tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor!

I know it’s a bold statement—homemade Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps that outshine the beloved P.F. Chang’s version?! But trust me, it’s true! These chicken lettuce wraps are so versatile – they work really well as starters or as part of a main course, depending on how many people are at the table. 

What I absolutely love about these delicious wraps is that they’re child-friendly, can be frozen for quick meals, and are super easy to make (once you’ve mastered it!).

Recipe Ingredients

My copycat recipe for PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps comprises two main parts that work magically with each other: the chicken stir-fry and the peanut sauce. 

Most of the ingredients will already be in your pantry, but if not, you can always run to the nearest supermarket for things like hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce. 

For the chicken stir-fry, you will need:

  • Vegetable oil: Sunflower oil, canola oil, or olive oil are acceptable, but stay away from oils that have too strong of a smell, like coconut oil.
  • Toasted sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil is made by extracting sesame seeds. These small seeds pack a punch in nutrients and give off this rich, nutty fragrance that’s just so unique! It’s a key ingredient in Chinese dishes, and you won’t know how good it is until you’ve tried it in person. 
  • Lean ground chicken: Opt for breast meat to get the leanest cut with the lowest amount of fats.
  • Large carrots: Peeled and shredded finely to mix into the ground chicken.
  • Shallots and garlic: The power couple of Chinese stir-fry dishes! 
  • Ginger: Grate fresh ginger. 
    • Pro Tip: Ditch the vegetable peeler when it comes to ginger – you can get the skin off ginger by using a spoon and scraping away at it.
  • Hoisin sauce: A thick, sweet and spicy sauce made of soybeans and a variety of spices. Teriyaki sauce is a close substitute, if need be. 
  • Fresh cilantro leaves: Refreshing, citrusy leaves for garnish. Discard stems before use. 
  • Butter lettuce: Broad, smooth leaves that can hold the weight of delicious chicken filling. See below for alternatives. 

For the peanut sauce, you will need:

  • Creamy peanut butter: The base of peanut sauce shockingly is peanut butter. To create extra texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy. 
  • Reduced sodium soy sauce: A healthier option than soy sauce which is usually high in sodium.
  • Lime: Pick a large lime and squeeze to make lime juice. 
  • Brown sugar: To balance out the acidity and sourness of lime juice.
  • Garlic: To give a tinge of spice to the peanut sauce.
  • Ginger: When freshly grated, the sharp flavor of ginger is reduced and hints of it make peanut sauce very appetizing.

What Kind of Lettuce Can I Use for This Recipe?

What a question to ask, right? But trust me, I’ve been down the rabbit hole, reading up on lettuce varieties, and here is my take on it. 

I always opt for butter lettuce when making chicken lettuce wraps because of its smooth texture and broad leaves. But if you can’t find butter lettuce in the store, don’t just grab something green and leafy! You can also go for romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and little gem lettuce. 

We are ideally looking for leaves that are firm enough and can hold the weight of the fillings. We also want big leaves like on iceberg lettuce, that can fold up with filling inside and are easy to hold. 

Romaine lettuce, although firm and crispy, are smaller. Little gem lettuce leaves, true to their name, are much smaller and will allow you to make lettuce cups instead of lettuce wraps. 

Remember that depending on the size of lettuce leaves you are getting, you may have extra servings of chicken lettuce wraps to go around – yay!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps and you’ll be having PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps in no time. 

Step One: First, prepare the fresh vegetables. Then, peel and shred the carrots and mince the shallots and the garlic. You’ll want to then grate the ginger and chop the cilantro. Only keep the cilantro leaves, discarding the stems. 

  • Pro Tip: Ditch the vegetable peeler! To peel ginger, all you need to do is to scrape with a spoon. 
Chopped Cilantro with Shredded Carrots and Minced Shallot | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Two: Now we’re ready to make the peanut sauce! This will be drizzled onto your wraps and will also make a very nice dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and ginger. Whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of water if needed until you reach a smooth consistency. We will then set this in the fridge until we’re ready to serve. 

Peanut Sauce Ingredients | cookingwithcassandra.com
Peanut Sauce | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Three: Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. They should mix well in the skillet. Add in ground chicken, carrots, and shallots. 

Ground chicken, carrots, and shallots in a large skillet | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Four: Stir-fry the mixture until browned, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks. Once the chicken is browned, stir in the garlic and ginger. Do this for about 1 minute. 

Fried Ground Chicken | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Five: Stir in hoisin sauce until it evenly coats the chicken mixture. 

Hoisin sauce to Ground Chicken | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Six: Remove the skillet from your heat and stir in the cilantro leaves.

Chopped Cilantro Leaves to Ground Chicken | cookingwithcassandra.com

Step Seven: Now we’re ready to serve! After rinsing your lettuce leaves, lay them out on a chopping board. Spoon several tablespoons of the chicken stir-fry into the center of a lettuce leaf, fold the sides up taco-style, and drizzle with the peanut sauce. You can then transfer the wraps onto the serving plate.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

Other Toppings and Variations

If you want to adapt this recipe and switch it up a little, here are some yummy recommendations I’ve personally tried and enjoyed. 

With shiitake mushrooms: Shiitake mushrooms will add lots of umami into whichever recipe, making it extra tasty. If you are using it in this recipe, I recommend chopping it and stirring it into the mix together with the chicken. 

Fresh green spring onions for garnish: Some people just aren’t fans of cilantro or parsley or the family of fragrant herbs. If that’s your case, you can swap the cilantro with spring onions. I love how the stems of spring onions are crunchy to bite into. It also makes your dish have a pop of bright green!

Roasted peanuts or crunchy peanut butter: In this recipe I’ve used creamy peanut butter for the peanut sauce. But if you have crunchy peanut butter, that will introduce a new texture to the sauce. You can also stir chopped, roasted peanuts into the sauce. 

Storage Instructions 

Keeping these for future use? Great idea! Chicken lettuce wraps are a quick and easy fix if you are pressed for time. 

Allow the chicken stir-fry to cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. If you pack cooked food while it’s hot, it tends to go bad faster. The same goes for the peanut sauce.

As for the leaves, keep them separate from the chicken stir-fry in an airtight container with a paper towel. I’ve been using this trick for the longest time, and my lettuce leaves stay crispy even after a week. 

There it is – my copycat chicken lettuce wraps recipe. Which PF Chang’s recipe should I try next?

If you’re looking for more starters and appetizers for big parties, you might want to check out these recipes: 

Chicken Recipe Cover Photo | Cookingwithcassandra.com

Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Make these chicken lettuce wraps just like PF Chang’s. Learn how to make chicken stir-fry, peanut sauce and how I pick the best lettuce for the job.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

For Chicken Lettuce Wraps

  • 2 pounds lean ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 large carrots peeled and finely shredded
  • 3 shallots finely diced
  • 6 large garlic cloves minced
  • 6 tablespoons ginger peeled and freshly grated
  • 3/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (not the stems), chopped

For Peanut Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 lime freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger peeled and freshly grated

For Serving

  • 2 heads butter lettuce

Instructions

  • Make Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and ginger. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water, if needed, until the desired smooth consistency is reached. Set the sauce in the fridge until ready to use, and re-whisk just before serving.
  • Prep The Vegetables: Peel and shred the carrots, finely dice the shallots, mince the garlic, grate the ginger and chop the cilantro.
  • Cook The Chicken Mixture: Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, carrots, and shallots, crumbling the chicken as it cooks.
  • Stir in Garlic and Ginger: Once the chicken is almost browned, stir in the garlic and ginger, and cook for a few more minutes until the chicken is browned.
  • Stir In Hoisin Sauce: Stir in the hoisin sauce and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Finish With Cilantro: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
  • To Serve: Spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style. Drizzle with peanut sauce before serving.
Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I’m Cassandra!

 I’m so happy you’re here! I’m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Let’s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Featured On

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

pink flower

Hello, Spring!

Best Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist banana cake slice topped with cream cheese frosting being lifted from the pan, showing fluffy texture and creamy topping

If you’re looking for a cake that’s perfectly moist, full of banana flavor, and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is exactly what you need! With its soft texture and sweet, subtle notes of maple syrup, this cake is the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Whether you're baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this one will have everyone asking for your recipe! It’s always a hit at my gatherings. This easy banana cake is made in a 9×9-inch pan, keeping things much simpler than a traditional layer cake, making it a go-to...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look like much at first, and it’s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But don’t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and you’ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have.  It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Fully glazed brown sugar ham sliced and served with orange slices and rosemary on a white platter.

Looking for the perfect holiday ham that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests? This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is everything you need and more. It’s sweet, savory, juicy, and has the yummiest sticky glaze with hints of garlic, orange, and warm spices. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this ham will be the star of the table. And yes—it's so much better than the store-bought glaze packets. Once you try this homemade brown sugar glaze, you’ll never go back! And if you're feeling a little intimidated by cooking a whole...

Easter Sugar Cookies

A colorful assortment of decorated Easter sugar cookies in egg, bunny, and carrot shapes, arranged on a white surface with pastel icing and sprinkles.

Introducing the best Easter sugar cookies recipe! These soft, buttery cookies are perfect for spring baking and couldn’t be easier to make. My simple cut-out cookies come together quickly and are ideal for decorating with pastel icing and sprinkles. One of the best parts? No chill time is needed! This dough rolls out smoothly, holds its shape in the oven, and has that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves. Paired with my easy icing, they’re perfect for stacking, gifting, or setting out at your Easter brunch. Don’t be intimidated by the decorating—this icing is not royal icing and is...

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesn’t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

You Might Also Like

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party.  I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

Crispy Salami Bites

Looking for a quick, no-fuss appetizer that’s packed with flavor? These Crispy Salami Bites have you covered! With a crispy, savory base topped with feta,...

Crispy Salami Bites

Chili Cheese Dip 

At home, I try to make sure that my pantry is always stocked with tortilla chips. It’s fun to eat on its own, but even...

Chili Cheese Dip 

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

One of the reasons why I enjoy summer (besides barbecues and sunshine) is because of all the produce that is in-season. Melon and berries often...

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cookingwithcassandra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithcassandra

1 Comment

  1. Joel G.

    5 stars
    These were unbelievable and so addicting! We all loved the taste and how simple they were to make, would absolutely recommend.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Cassandra | Cooking With Cassandra

Hi, I'm Cassandra!

 I’m so happy you’re here! I’m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on the best, tested-till-perfect recipes for every occasion. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, plus helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Let’s get cooking and make every meal a success!

More about me

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up for free recipes straight to your inbox:

Unsubscribe at any time.

Free E-Cookbook!

Cooking dinner doesn’t have to take all night. Subscribe & receive my favourite 10 Quick & Easy Dinner Recipes in an easy e-cookbook format!

Jujeh kabab - Eating | cookingwithcassandra.com

Get the Inside

Scoop

Be the first to receive free e-books, recipes, inspiration, and exclusive extras you won’t want to miss!

We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.