Ready to shake up your dinner routine? These Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps deliver bold flavors, vibrant colors, and plenty of crunch in every bite. This quick and lively dish layers lean ground chicken in a bright, slightly spicy sauce, topped with crisp veggies and fresh herbs, all nestled in cool leaves of butter lettuce. Whether you’re chasing a light weeknight meal or looking to impress friends at your next get-together, these wraps are guaranteed to be your new favorite way to enjoy a Thai-inspired feast—no forks required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering up the essentials for Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps is a breeze, and these fresh ingredients are the backbone of the dish’s irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Each one plays a special part, bringing a little something unique to your wrap, so don’t skip the details!
- Sesame oil: Adds a nutty depth and authentic aroma that’s the perfect base for sautéing.
- Diced onion: Gives a gentle sweetness and softens the mix beautifully.
- Garlic: Brings a fragrant punch—always mince fresh for best results.
- Fresh ginger or ginger paste: Delivers zingy warmth and that classic Thai taste.
- Ground chicken: The lean protein foundation, soaking up all the saucy flavors.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari: Brings a savory umami note and keeps things gluten-friendly, if needed.
- Thai sweet red chili sauce: The star for a sweet-yet-spicy kick that makes these wraps irresistible.
- Lime juice: Adds a burst of fresh acidity that balances everything out.
- Maple syrup or honey: A touch of natural sweetness to smooth out the heat.
- Chopped cashews: For an addictive, buttery crunch in every bite.
- Chopped scallions: Bright and mild onion flavor peppered throughout.
- Chopped cilantro: Fresh herbaceous notes that wake up the whole dish.
- Shredded carrots: Adds color and crisp texture—feel free to julienne if you want extra flair.
- Sesame seeds: A sprinkle of extra crunch and a touch of toasty flavor on top.
- Butter lettuce leaves: Soft, sturdy, and just the right shape to hold your tasty filling.
How to Make Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your diced onion and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it softens and turns translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and ginger, and keep things moving for another minute. This trio sets the flavor stage and immediately scents your kitchen with that unmistakable Thai-inspired aroma.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Next, add the ground chicken directly into the fragrant base. Use a spoon or spatula to break it up as it cooks, making sure there are no big clumps. Sauté until the chicken is no longer pink and fully cooked through, which should take about 5 minutes. The goal is juicy crumbles that will soak up every drop of your delicious sauce.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the chicken is sizzling, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), Thai sweet red chili sauce, lime juice, and maple syrup in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken and toss everything together. The aroma gets even more irresistible at this point! Stir in the chopped cashews, letting them warm and soak up the sauce for about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add Fresh Crunch
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the shredded carrots, chopped scallions, and cilantro. Mixing these in at the end ensures they stay crisp and full of bite, offering a wonderful contrast to the warm chicken mixture.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Arrange your butter lettuce leaves on a platter and spoon a generous portion of the Thai Sweet Chili Chicken mixture into each leaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for the perfect little finishing touch. Serve immediately—these are at their absolute best when fresh and crisp!
How to Serve Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Garnishes
Garnishing these wraps is where you can really let your creativity shine! Try a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, a few extra sprigs of chopped cilantro, sliced red chili for heat, or even thin-sliced radishes for extra crunch. If you like a little extra zing, a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before eating makes flavors pop even more.
Side Dishes
Pair your Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps with a lively side for a complete meal. Jasmine rice or coconut rice are both excellent, as they soak up any extra sauce. For an even lighter spread, a simple cucumber salad, pickled veggies, or a tangy carrot slaw will keep things fresh and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For fun entertaining, arrange the lettuce leaves, fillings, and garnishes on a big board so everyone can build their own wraps. Or, for a playful appetizer, make bite-sized versions with smaller lettuce cups—these disappear fast at potlucks! For festive flair, serve with colorful toothpicks or bamboo skewers to keep the wraps tidy on the plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with extras (though it’s rare!), keep the chicken filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store lettuce leaves separately to keep them crisp; simply wash and dry them thoroughly before wrapping and refrigerate in a sealed bag with a paper towel.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully cooked chicken filling for up to one month. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or zip bags, pressing out as much air as possible. Allow the filling to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for a quick meal anytime.
Reheating
Warm leftover chicken filling in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through. If it looks a bit dry, a splash of water or a drizzle of extra chili sauce will revive it nicely. Assemble your Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps fresh with crisp lettuce for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps vegetarian?
Absolutely! Sub in crumbled tofu, tempeh, or your favorite plant-based ground “meat.” The sauces, aromatics, and veggies all work beautifully with a vegetarian protein swap.
What type Main Course
Butter lettuce is the ideal choice because of its soft, cup-shaped leaves that don’t easily tear. You can also use iceberg or even romaine, but be sure to select sturdy leaves that will hold up to the filling.
How do I adjust the spice level?
Simply add more or less Thai sweet red chili sauce to suit your taste. For extra kick, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh chili slices. To keep it mild, start with the lower amount and taste as you go.
Can I meal-prep these wraps for lunches?
Definitely! Make the chicken filling ahead and portion it into small containers, then pack lettuce leaves and garnishes separately. When ready to eat, just assemble fresh—perfect for meal-prep and grab-and-go lunches!
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes! The balance of sweet, savory, and mild spice is typically a hit even with kids. If you have very spice-sensitive eaters, just reduce the chili sauce a bit or add extra honey to mellow things out.
Final Thoughts
Give these Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps a spot on your menu when you’re craving big flavor with minimal effort. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—vibrant, healthy, and so much fun to build and eat. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with this recipe as much as I have, so gather your ingredients and let the wrapping begin!
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Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai-inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. A healthy and delicious meal that’s easy to make!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger or ginger paste
- 10 ounces ground chicken
Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons Thai sweet red chili sauce
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
Additional Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup chopped cashews
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼–½ cup shredded carrots
- sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 head butter lettuce leaves, washed and dried
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil. Cook diced onion until softened.
- Add aromatics: Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional minute.
- Cook chicken: Add ground chicken to the skillet and cook until no longer pink.
- Prepare sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and maple syrup. Pour over the chicken, add cashews, and cook to combine.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, stir in carrots, scallions, and cilantro. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve.
Notes
- For gluten-free wraps, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- You can substitute almonds or peanuts for cashews, or omit nuts entirely.
- Adjust chili sauce amount for spice preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
