Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are 30 minute low carb appetizer or lighter main dish. Serve healthy lettuce wraps alone or over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice.

Another lighter meal you might enjoy is this healthy chicken stir fry and chicken and broccoli stir fry.

Healthy chicken lettuce wraps with cashews and green onions served on a plate.

Once upon a time, I ordered chicken lettuce wraps every time I saw them on a menu. However, after educating myself more on their ingredients, I now skip those entirely and make my own delicious healthy chicken lettuce wraps at home.

They’re fun to make and easy to customize for a quick healthy dinner.

These Asian lettuce wraps combine meat with cashews, firm veggies, and a fair amount of delicious homemade teriyaki sauce. Not only do they rival the flavor of any restaurant’s version, but they’re so much healthier too.

Ingredients for Chicken Lettuce Wraps

All you need for these healthy chicken lettuce wraps recipe are a handful of simple ingredients you probably have already in your kitchen.

Is it can you call my chicken breasts, butter lettuce, cashews, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, maple syrup, breast vinegar, cornstarch.
  • Chicken: I tend to use chicken breast or chicken thighs. However, ground chicken or ground turkey would also work.
  • Lettuce: I recommend to use iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or butter lettuce.
  • Cashews: These creamy nuts add texture and more healthy fats to these healthy lettuce wraps. You can replace them with toasted almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds. Or omit them entirely.
  • Vegetables: Many veggies will work. I recommend to use firm vegetables like zucchini, bell pepper and broccoli.  
  • Aromatics: Fresh yellow onion, garlic, ginger, and green onion.
  • Soy sauce: You can also use low sodium soy sauce, liquid aminos, coconut aminos or tamari.
  • Sweetener: I prefer to use maple syrup although agave, honey, or even granulated sugar should work.
  • Vinegar: Use a light vinegar like rice vinegar or white wine vinegar. You can also use regular white vinegar although it has more harsh flavor.
  • Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce. Arrowroot powder or tapioca flour will be great too.
  • Oil: Any neutral cooking oil like avocado oil will work. Sesame oil would help to add extra flavor.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Here is a quick overview how to make healthy chicken lettuce wraps in 4 simple steps. There is also full recipe card below.

Step by step process how to prep ingredients and make healthy chicken lettuce wraps in a skillet.
  • Prepare the ingredients: First, clean and chop all the ingredients as needed. Dice the chicken, finely chop the onion, mince the garlic and ginger, and dice all vegetables. You’ll also need to separate the leaves from your head of lettuce, then give them a rinse, too.
  • Toast the cashews: Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the cashews, frying until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring constantly. When ready, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Sauté vegetables and chicken: Return skillet to the heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Then, add the chicken to the pan and cook it for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Make sauce and combine: Create a slurry by whisking cold water, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar and cornstarch. Pour sauce into the skillet, adding the veggies at the same time. Cook for a minute or until the sauce has thickened. Then stir in the cashews and green onion.
  • Assemble the wraps: Spoon filling into 2-3 stacked lettuce leaves, depending on their thickness, and enjoy!

Tips for Best Results

Here are my top tips for the best healthy chicken lettuce wraps in the world!

  • Prep ingredients before you start cooking: Make sure the vegetables and chicken are chopped and diced before you light the stove.
  • Keep the lettuce crisp: If your lettuce looks a little wilted, then submerge the leaves in cold water bath for 5-10 minutes to perk up.
  • Experiment with proteins and veggies: These healthy lettuce wraps are super versatile. Swap out the meat and vegetables to combine with the teriyaki sauce for a recipe that will never get old!
  • Chop vegetables small: To make sure that each bite of the chicken lettuce wrap is bursting with flavor!

Fun Additions and Variations

Below are a few optional mix-ins and seasoning variations for these healthy chicken lettuce wraps.  

  • Other vegetables: Add broccoli, shredded carrots, baby corn, bean sprouts, bell pepper, snap peas and sliced mushrooms. Water chestnuts also work well.
  • Fruit juice: The homemade teriyaki sauce can take on even more flavor with the addition of pineapple juice or orange juice in place of some or all the water.
  • Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a pop of heat. Alternatively, drizzle chicken lettuce wraps with hot sauce or sriracha.
  • Other protein: This recipe could also work well with large shrimp or fried tofu (for vegan lettuce wraps). Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Grains: Instead of serving over a bed of rice, you could also add grains directly into the pan.
Healthy chicken lettuce wraps served on plates. One plate of lettuce wraps served over brown rice.

What to Serve Healthy Lettuce Wraps with?

You can enjoy healthy chicken lettuce wraps alone as a low-carb dinner or serve it as a light main dish alongside one of several side options:

How to Store and Reheat

Store: These healthy chicken lettuce wraps taste best fresh. However, you can keep any leftover chicken wrap filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Any unused lettuce leaves can also be wrapped in a linen towel and saved for up to three days.

Freeze: I don’t usually freeze the teriyaki chicken filling since it’s so quick and simple to make. However, you can store it in airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Recipe Tip

Make sure to only add the cashews right before serving, as they will become soggy in the fridge or freezer.

Reheat: Reheat the chicken filling gently on the stovetop for the best results. Add a splash of water if it’s no longer saucy enough.  

FAQs

What is the best lettuce for healthy lettuce wraps?

Iceberg lettuce is what PF Chang’s serves their chicken lettuce wraps in. While sturdy, the leaves are harder to separate, and the flavor is more watery and tasteless. Romaine lettuce is sturdy, long and easy to separate. However, I’m not a fan of the longboat look and rather prefer to make grilled romaine lettuce with it.

Butter lettuce, also known as Boston bibb lettuce, has a soft texture paired with a nice subtle-sweet taste and pretty round shape. It’s also easy to separate, though you might need to stack a few leaves on top of each other as they can be fairly thin. It is not always available and can be pricey off-season. It is my preference.

How do I keep lettuce from falling apart in wraps?

When using butter lettuce in particular, I recommend stacking 2-3 leaves on top of one another for the healthy chicken lettuce wraps. That way, if one breaks, it still won’t fall apart.

How much ground chicken would I substitute?

Use about 1 pound package of ground chicken in place of the chicken breast.

Do lettuce wraps have carbs?

Yes. While the lettuce itself is very low carb, the filling used will still contain carbs. These healthy chicken lettuce wraps are a great option for someone wanting to enjoy a meal that’s lighter than traditional tortilla wraps.

Can I used already cooked chicken for lettuce wraps?

You sure can. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time so it’s added for just enough time to heat up without overcooking. You can cook chicken breast in air fryer, chicken breast in Instant Pot, or use baked chicken breast. You can even use rotisserie chicken.

More Lettuce Recipes to Try

More Healthy Chicken Recipes

Healthy chicken lettuce wraps with cashews and green onions served on a plate.

Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are 30 minute low carb appetizer or lighter main dish. Serve healthy lettuce wraps alone or over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice.
4.92 from 25 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 301
Diet Low Fat
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast diced
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 inch knob ginger minced
  • 1 small zucchini diced
  • 1 small bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup cashews coarsely chopped
  • 2 green onion sprigs finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce I used liquid aminos
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 head butter lettuce, iceberg lettuce or Romaine lettuce leaves separated
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil for frying

Instructions 

  • Make sure all ingredients are chopped and ready.
  • Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat and add cashews. Pan fry until toasted, stirring constantly. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Return skillet to medium heat and swirl oil to coat. Add onion, garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Add chicken and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Right before chicken is done cooking, in a small bowl add cold water, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar and cornstarch; whisk with a fork. Add to the chicken along with zucchini and bell pepper; cook for 1 minute or until sauce has thickened. Stir in cashews and green onions.
  • Serve chicken lettuce wraps immediately. To assemble, use 2-3 stacked lettuce leaves (depending on its thickness) and spoon desired amount of filling on top.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat on a skillet before assembling lettuce wraps. 
  • Freeze: Store chicken filling only (without cashews) in airtight containers in the freezer for up to three months. Then, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • Instead of chicken breast you can use diced chicken thighs, and ground chicken or ground turkey.

Nutrition

Serving: 2wraps | Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve been making these for so long now but never left a review!!! They are amazing! All of your recipes are absolutely amazing!

  2. Love this recipe! Made it last week for the first time and I’m cooking it tonight as a request from my husband. Thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    Um, yes! 🙌🏼 These chicken lettuce wraps are to die for! Such an easy meal to prepare and full of flavor. Add water chestnuts for an extra crunch! 10/10! I will definitely be making these again!

  4. Like the other comment I have never responded to a blog, but this recipe is the easiest and quickest meal I have ever made, you can add whatever vegetables you have and has a great taste, I did not use the cashews and I did use apple cider vinegar and I did add zucchini and water chestnuts. Thank you for sharing this great recipe, It was absolutely the best healthy make over I have tasted.

  5. Hi ! I’m going to try this recipe tonight, it looks delicious !
    I was just wondering, when you put 300 calories, is that for just one small wrap?

    Thank you!

    1. Hey Clara! The nutritional info is for 2-3 wraps (depending on how big your wraps are). I updated the recipe card to reflect this. Thanks for bringing up a great question!

  6. 5 stars
    Hi Olena,
    I’ve never commented on anyone’s blog before, but I am so happy to have found you! I really appreciate your no-nonsense approach, your healthy relationship with food, and your commentary on parenting picky eaters. I have 5 kids and its sort of like cooking for a dinner party every night–I am not a chef, and infact really dislike cooking a lot. However, I have found your variety of meals is terrific, your recipes are easy to follow, and your grounded sense of things refreshing. Thank you for being my go-to meal prep site!
    PS. I made the lettuce wraps last night, and they were a hit!

  7. 5 stars
    I made the Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps but I used 74% lean ground turkey!! Absolutely delicious!! Actually have now made it several times! Can’t thank you enough

  8. 5 stars
    I’ve made a lot of your recipes and this is my favorite one yet! Made it for lunch for 2 people, cut the recipe down to 1/3. Probably had more chicken than called for, guess-timated on the sauce ingredients. So quick to make. And OUTTA THIS WORLD tasty. Going into the regular rotation immediately…

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