Oh, the joys of trying to recreate restaurant magic at home! PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps were a staple during college—back when eating out felt like a grand event. These wraps carry memories of laughter-filled dinners and endless conversations over crispy lettuce and savory chicken. There’s something oddly satisfying about getting your hands a bit messy while assembling them yourself, isn’t there?
Steps
- Heat olive oil and sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until thoroughly browned, making sure to crumble it as it cooks.
- Stir in diced onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and chili garlic sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion turns soft and most of the liquid evaporates.
- Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan, stirring for about a minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate the diced water chestnuts and sliced green onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for another 2 minutes until tender.
- Serve by spooning about 1/4 cup of the mixture into each lettuce leaf. Enjoy these wraps warm for optimal flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound ground chicken (ground turkey can also be used)
- 1 medium or large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small
- ? cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce, or to taste (sriracha may be substituted)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger or 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger, or to taste
- One 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and diced small
- 2 to 3 green onions, sliced into thin rounds
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- Butter lettuce leaves, for serving
Nutritional Values
Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 1044mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g
FAQ
- How spicy are these lettuce wraps?
- The chili garlic sauce provides a nice level of heat that we found enjoyable. However, if you are sensitive to spiciness, you can adjust the amount to your preference.
- What’s the best type of lettuce to use for wraps?
- Butter lettuce leaves are preferred for these wraps because they are more pliable than iceberg or romaine lettuce and can hold more filling.
- Can I substitute ground turkey for ground chicken?
- Yes, ground turkey works just as well as ground chicken in this recipe. You can also try ground beef if you want a different option.
- Is there an alternative to soy sauce?
- While I haven’t personally tested it, you could consider using a soy sauce substitute like tamari or coconut aminos.
- Can the chicken filling be prepared ahead of time?
- Absolutely! If you have a busy schedule, you can make the chicken filling in advance and freeze it. It reheats wonderfully.
Tips
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of chili garlic sauce, as it adds a significant amount of heat.
- Use butter lettuce leaves for the wraps, as they are more flexible and can hold more filling compared to iceberg or romaine lettuce.
- Prepare the ground chicken filling in advance and freeze it for a quick and convenient meal later, as it reheats exceptionally well.
- If you’re looking for a variation, try substituting ground chicken with ground turkey or even ground beef for a different flavor profile.
Equipment
- Large Skillet – Essential for cooking the ground chicken and mixing all the ingredients.
- Garlic Press – Useful for finely mincing or pressing the garlic.
- Chef’s Knife – Ideal for dicing the onion and slicing green onions.
- Cutting Board – Necessary for preparing vegetables and other ingredients.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups – Important for accurately measuring oils, sauces, and spices.
- Mixing Spoon or Spatula – Required for stirring and combining ingredients in the skillet.
