Chicken Lettuce Wraps
P.F. Chang’s signature chicken lettuce wraps made at home with savory ground chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, and a glossy, umami-packed sauce, all served in fresh butter lettuce leaves.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast) Ground turkey or pork can be used as alternatives.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and diced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch Do not skip for the restaurant-gloss finish.
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust based on spice preference.
- 1 large head butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- Sesame seeds for sprinkling
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Prepare Sauce
- In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Set aside.
Cook Chicken
- Warm 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the ground chicken and let it sit for 3–4 minutes to develop color before stirring. Break it up and continue cooking until mostly done and golden at the edges, about 4–5 minutes total.
Add Aromatics
- Push the chicken to one side, add diced onion to the empty space and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and ginger; stir to combine and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Incorporate Water Chestnuts
- Add the diced water chestnuts and fold through the mixture. Cook for 1–2 minutes to heat them but keep their crunch.
Thicken Sauce
- Pour the prepared sauce over the skillet. Stir constantly as it bubbles and thickens — this takes 1–2 minutes. Add rice wine vinegar and half the sliced green onions, taste, and adjust salt and pepper.
Serve
- Transfer the warm filling to a bowl, sprinkle with remaining green onions and sesame seeds. Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a platter with lime wedges for squeezing.
Notes
For the best flavor and texture, keep lettuce dry and store filling separate until serving. Pair with light sides like cucumber salad.