Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (gluten-free, paleo)
101 Comments
Updated Oct 01, 2023
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These Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are reminiscent of PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps, yet they’re gluten-free, paleo-friendly and much healthier. With fresh ingredients and a few simple swaps, you can easily make this family favorite chicken dinner recipe.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This is an easy, weeknight chicken dinner recipe that’s bursting with flavor. They’re reminiscent of the “back in the day” PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps that I used to devour during college. But this version is gluten-free, healthier and I think has a little more pizzaz (especially with those crunchy mung bean sprouts).
It can be difficult grabbing Asian “take out” if you’re celiac or gluten-free like me. You always have to double (and triple) check that the meal you received was indeed made with tamari rather than soy sauce.
Now, if you’ve read Roaming Free you know I’m a big proponent of traveling the world, gastrotourism and just getting out there. To not let your dietary restrictions restrict you from life. But preparation and a little extra caution should always be exercised as well.
The good news about this recipe is you know it’s 100% gluten-free and safe because you’re making it at home. And likely with fresher and cleaner ingredients than anything in a restaurant.
What’s in Chicken Lettuce Wraps?
So let’s chat about what it’s my version of these chicken lettuce wraps. The sauce is a mix of organic tamari (you could also use coconut aminos), blackstrap molasses (the best flavor enhancer), toasted sesame oil, white wine vinegar and almond butter (hello, homemade almond butter).
It’s a salty, nutty, umami sauce that’ll definitely have you going back for seconds.
Then, you’ve got a chicken “mix” that’s ground chicken, garlic, onion, ginger, water chestnuts and green onions. And it all comes together so quickly and easily.
Once everything is cooked, all that’s left to do is pile it high into the perfect green eating device – butter lettuce leaves! Just lay out the washed leaves, spoon in the chicken mix and top with mung bean sprouts for a delicious, new and improved Asian chicken lettuce wrap.
For more healthy chicken dinner recipes, make sure to check out my Roasted Balsamic Chicken, Coconut Curry Chicken, Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo and Grilled Chicken Souvlaki with Dairy-Free Tzatziki. Enjoy!
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (gluten-free, paleo)
Description
Ingredients
Sauce
- 5 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Lettuce Wraps
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts (whole or sliced), drained and diced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce, leaves removed and washed
- optional: mung bean sprouts
Instructions
- Make the sauce. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, almond butter, molasses, vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken and cook until browned, making sure to break up the chicken with a spatula as it cooks.
- Add the aromatics. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the chicken and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, or until the onion starts to become translucent.
- Add the sauce. Pour the sauce on top of the chicken and stir until well combined. Add the water chestnuts and green onions, then stir everything together. Season with black pepper.
- To serve. Place a large spoonful of chicken mixture onto a butter lettuce leaf. If you'd like, you can top with mung bean sprouts for added crunch.
Lisa’s Tips
- You can use dark or light meat for the chicken. Both taste wonderful.
- If you can’t find butter lettuce, you could also use romaine, iceberg or any other lettuce leaves.
- Make sure to read my post on the differences between tamari, soy sauce and coconut aminos. And I use this brand of low sodium, organic tamari.
Nutrition
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This post was original published April 2016, but updated to include new photos and a video.
If I don’t have any dietary restrictions, could I sub regular soy sauce for the Tamari? Or would it affect the flavour? I have regular soy sauce and don’t want to buy the Tamari if I don’t have to!
Yes, no problem.
This was yummy, I did sub out the molasses for pure maple syrup as that’s what I had on hand :) Thanks for sharing!
Happy you loved it, Jules!
If avoiding soy, how do I substitute the soy sauce?
Hi Lynda – you can replace it with coconut aminos.