If you’re craving a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s both fresh and satisfying, the Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is here to delight your taste buds. This recipe brings together tender chicken thighs cooked to perfection, drenched in a creamy, tangy peanut sauce, and wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves. It’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors that will have you reaching for seconds, all while feeling light and wholesome. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dish for friends, these wraps offer a burst of exotic flavors wrapped up in a fun, handheld package.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients that each add their own unique character to the dish. From the creamy peanut butter to the zesty lime juice, every element plays a part in building layers of flavor and texture.
- Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami depth that forms the base of the sauce.
- Peanut butter: Brings creaminess and rich nutty flavor to the wraps.
- Oyster sauce: Enhances the savory dimension with a subtle sweetness.
- Chili garlic sauce: Provides the perfect level of heat and pungency.
- Ground ginger: Delivers warm, aromatic notes that brighten the dish.
- Honey: Balances the spice with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Water: Adjusts sauce consistency for easy coating.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a mild tang that cuts through the richness.
- Lime juice: Injects a fresh citrus zing to enhance all the flavors.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Tender, juicy protein that holds up well to the sauce.
- Olive oil: Used for sautéing to achieve the perfect sear on chicken.
- Green onions: Bring a sharp, fresh crunch and color contrast.
- Shredded carrots: Add sweetness and a pleasant bite.
- Chopped peanuts: Provide satisfying crunch and nutty aroma.
- Chopped cilantro: Offers herbaceous brightness and vibrant color.
- Baby butter lettuce leaves: Soft, crisp wraps that hold everything together.
- Lime wedges: For an extra squeeze of citrus when serving.
How to Make Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
Begin by whisking together the soy sauce, peanut butter, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, ground ginger, honey, water, rice vinegar, and lime juice in a medium bowl. The combination creates a creamy, spicy, and tangy sauce that is the heart of this Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe. Adjust the chili garlic sauce to your heat preference for a milder or spicier kick.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thigh chunks and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. The olive oil helps develop a beautiful sear while keeping the chicken juicy. Once cooked, pour the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken and toss well to coat. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and clings to every piece of chicken beautifully.
Step 3: Assemble the Wraps
Lay out your butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon a generous amount of the peanut chicken mixture into each leaf. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, and chopped cilantro for bursts of texture and freshness. Each wrap becomes a handheld delight packed with sweet, tangy, spicy, and crunchy sensations.
How to Serve Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe, don’t hesitate to garnish with extra fresh cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime juice right before eating. The fresh herbs and citrus will brighten up the deep, nutty flavors and add that extra layer of excitement to every bite.
Side Dishes
These wraps are wonderfully versatile and pair beautifully with light and refreshing sides. Consider serving with jasmine rice for a more substantial meal, or a crunchy cucumber salad tossed in rice vinegar and sesame seeds to complement the rich peanut sauce. A simple bowl of steamed or roasted veggies also balances the dish perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Offer the ingredients deconstructed on a beautiful platter and let everyone assemble their own wraps. This makes for a fun, interactive meal experience and allows each person to customize their wraps to their liking. You can also serve the chicken mixture in a large bowl with lettuce leaves lined up on the side for an elegant buffet-style presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from the Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe, transfer the chicken mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 3 days. Store the lettuce leaves separately in a sealed bag to maintain their crispness.
Freezing
The chicken and peanut sauce mixture freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and store for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove to preserve the sauce’s texture and flavor. Lettuce does not freeze well, so add it fresh at serving time.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the chicken and sauce gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid high heat to prevent the peanut sauce from separating. Once warm, assemble immediately with fresh lettuce and garnishes for a fresh, delicious wrap experience every time.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat, but be sure to not overcook them to avoid dryness. Thighs simply offer a juicier, more tender bite that complements the rich peanut sauce perfectly.
Is this recipe spicy?
The chili garlic sauce adds a nice kick, but you can adjust the amount to suit your heat tolerance. If you prefer mild flavors, reduce or omit it entirely, and you’ll still have a deliciously flavorful wrap.
What can I substitute for oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce on hand, you can replace it with hoisin sauce or a splash of soy sauce mixed with a pinch of sugar to mimic its sweet, umami flavor.
Are these wraps gluten-free?
You can make the Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and ensuring your oyster sauce or substitutions are gluten-free as well. It’s a simple swap that will keep everyone happy.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Swap the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh and follow the same cooking method. Use vegetarian oyster sauce or mushroom sauce to keep that depth of flavor, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian version that everyone will love.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe that makes it a standout meal to keep in your recipe repertoire. The exciting blend of bold flavors, fresh textures, and simple preparation make this dish a crowd-pleaser any day of the week. I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with friends and family—you’ll likely find yourself making it again and again!
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Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
These Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or appetizer. Tender chicken thighs are cooked in a savory peanut sauce with hints of ginger, garlic, and lime, then wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves and topped with fresh herbs, shredded carrots, and crunchy peanuts for a delightful texture contrast.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime
Chicken and Wrap Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnish
- 12 baby butter lettuce leaves
- 6 lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the peanut sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, ground ginger, honey, water, rice vinegar, and fresh lime juice until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thigh chunks and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add sauce and finish: Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly and allow the sauce to thicken slightly, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Stir in sliced green onions, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, and chopped cilantro to combine.
- Assemble the wraps: Lay out baby butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon a generous amount of the Thai peanut chicken mixture into each lettuce leaf. Garnish with extra cilantro and serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top for added brightness.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili garlic sauce or fresh chopped chilies to the sauce.
- Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful.
- These wraps are best served fresh to keep the lettuce crisp.
- Can be served with steamed jasmine rice for a heartier meal.
- Store leftover chicken mixture separately from the lettuce in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.
