Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Savory, saucy ground chicken with crunchy water chestnuts and a savory-sweet Asian-inspired sauce, all served in crisp butter lettuce cups. These wraps come together in under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer.
For 4 servings
- prep
Prep the lettuce cups and sauce.
1.Wash the butter lettuce head, carefully separate the leaves, and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.2.In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, honey, salt, and black pepper.TIPChoose large, cup-shaped inner leaves for the best wraps — they hold the filling without breaking. - saute
Cook the chicken and aromatics.
1.Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.2.Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (5-6 min).3.Push the chicken to one side and add diced onion, garlic, and ginger to the cleared space.4.Cook aromatics until fragrant and onions are translucent (2-3 min).TIPDon't overcrowd the pan — browning the chicken adds deep flavor. - saute
Add chestnuts and sauce.
1.Stir in the diced water chestnuts.2.Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture.3.Toss everything together and cook until the sauce is absorbed and the mixture is glossy (2-3 min). - assemble
Fill the lettuce cups.
1.Spoon a generous portion of the chicken mixture into each butter lettuce cup.2.Top with sliced green onions, chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro.3.Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Pat the lettuce leaves completely dry to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- 2Use reduced-sodium soy sauce so you can control the final saltiness of the filling.
- 3Chop the water chestnuts into small, even dice for a consistent crunch in every bite.
- 4Let the chicken brown undisturbed for a minute before breaking it up for deeper flavor.
- 5Taste the sauce before adding it — adjust sweetness or heat to your preference.
- 6These wraps are best served immediately; the lettuce wilts quickly once filled.
- 7Make the filling up to a day ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-carb
Swap the honey for a sugar-free sweetener or omit it entirely to reduce carbs while keeping the savory-sweet balance.
vegetarianVegetarian
Replace ground chicken with crumbled firm tofu or cooked lentils for a satisfying plant-based version.
spicySpicy
Double the chili garlic sauce and add a finely chopped fresh red chili for extra heat.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Lean Protein Source
Ground chicken is low in saturated fat compared to beef or pork, making this a heart-friendly protein choice.
Crunchy Veggie Boost
Water chestnuts provide fiber and a satisfying crunch with very few calories, helping you feel full.
Antioxidant-Rich Ginger
Fresh ginger adds anti-inflammatory compounds and a zesty warmth to the dish.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, ground turkey works perfectly — just be sure not to overcook it, as it can dry out faster than chicken.


