Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Craving crispy chicken lettuce wraps? These high-protein, better-than-takeout wraps are ready in just 20 minutes. After making them dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping them crispy. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Oven Baked Snow Crab Legs Recipe and Creamy Orange Blossom Semolina Pudding with Pistachios.
Why This Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken strips with a golden crust
- Creamy, nutty peanut sauce for dipping
- Easy, better-than-takeout meal in 20 minutes
- High-protein, low-carb, and gluten-free
What You'll Need for Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- lettuce leaves
- peanut butter
- soy sauce
- garlic
- salt
- pepper
- sesame oil
- honey
- rice vinegar
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: chopped peanuts
- Optional: sriracha
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in mincing chicken → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
How to Make Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Prepare chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, then slice into thin strips. Season with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make peanut sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and minced garlic. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble lettuce wraps: Rinse and separate lettuce leaves. Spoon cooked chicken onto each leaf, drizzle with peanut sauce, and top with desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Crispy chicken: Make sure chicken is in a single layer while cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Common mistake and fix: If your peanut sauce is too thick, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Make-ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge, then assemble just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare chicken and sauce up to a day ahead.
Freezing Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat chicken in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra-crispy chicken, pat chicken strips dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful wrap.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the skillet, add a small amount of oil before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking → Check price on Amazon
Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- lettuce leaves
- peanut butter
- soy sauce
- garlic
Seasonings
- salt
- pepper
- sesame oil
- honey
- rice vinegar
Optional Toppings
- green onions
- chopped peanuts
- sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, then slice into thin strips. Season with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make peanut sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and minced garlic. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble lettuce wraps: Rinse and separate lettuce leaves. Spoon cooked chicken onto each leaf, drizzle with peanut sauce, and top with desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra-crispy chicken, pat chicken strips dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more flavorful wrap.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your chicken is sticking to the skillet, add a small amount of oil before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat chicken in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Make ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 270
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce FAQs
Prepare chicken and sauce up to a day ahead. Store separately in the fridge, then assemble just before serving.
Overcooking the chicken can cause it to become dry. Make sure to cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F and not a moment longer.
Yes, cook chicken in the air fryer at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Almond butter or cashew butter can be used as a substitute for peanut butter in the sauce.
These wraps are perfect for holiday gatherings. They can be easily made ahead and served at room temperature.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
