Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Name: Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American-Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast; 1 head iceberg lettuce; 2 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 3 tbsp hoisin sauce; 1 tbsp sriracha; 2 tbsp white vinegar; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium white onion, minced; 1 tbsp garlic paste; 1 tbsp ginger paste; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1/2 cup water chestnuts, minced; 3 scallions, sliced

Chicken lettuce wraps are a quick, light American-Chinese dish featuring seasoned minced chicken in a savory-sweet hoisin-based sauce, served in crisp iceberg lettuce cups for a satisfying textural contrast.

🌍American-Chinese 🏷️Chicken lettuce wraps 🏷️Lettuce wraps 🏷️Copycat recipe 🏷️Asian-inspired Chicken

🏷️

🏷️Hoisin

-0:00

oldscoolkevmoonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by oldscoolkevmo

-0:00

oldscoolkevmoonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast
1 head iceberg lettuce
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp sriracha
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium white onion, minced
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp ginger paste
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup water chestnuts, minced
3 scallions, sliced

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Instructions

1
If using chicken breast, finely mince the chicken. Alternatively, you can use ground chicken.
2
In a small bowl, prepare the sauce by whisking together the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha, white vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
4
Add the minced white onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
5
Stir in the garlic paste and ginger paste, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
6
Add the minced chicken to the pan. Season with salt and pepper.
7
Cook the chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is fully cooked through.
8
Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken and stir to coat everything evenly.
9
Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce for a few minutes until it thickens and glazes the chicken.
10
Turn off the heat and stir in the minced water chestnuts and sliced scallions.
11
Transfer the chicken filling to a serving bowl and serve immediately with fresh lettuce cups.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Mince the chicken breast finely (or pulse in a food processor) so it cooks evenly and absorbs the sauce quickly—avoid large chunks that stay dry.
Add all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl before cooking so they blend smoothly; pouring them gradually while the pan is hot prevents lumps.
Keep lettuce leaves crisp and cold until serving by chilling them in ice water for 10 minutes before assembly.
Don't overcook the filling—once chicken reaches 165°F internally and sauce thickens (about 8–10 minutes total), remove from heat to prevent drying.

Substitutions

Ground turkey or ground pork → chicken breast (adjust cooking time by 1–2 minutes depending on fat content)
Iceberg lettuce → butter lettuce or romaine hearts (note: softer texture, may tear more easily)
Hoisin sauce → oyster sauce or sweet bean sauce (note: less sweet; add 1 tsp honey or sugar if preferred)
Sriracha → chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes (note: adjust heat level to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover chicken filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Common Questions

Can I prepare chicken lettuce wraps ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the chicken filling up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a skillet before serving. Keep lettuce leaves separate and crisp until just before assembly.

What type of lettuce works best for wraps?

Iceberg lettuce cups are ideal because their large, sturdy leaves hold the filling without tearing. Butter lettuce or romaine hearts also work well if you prefer a softer texture.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Mince chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and show no pink when broken apart. It typically takes 6–8 minutes once added to the hot pan.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Replace light and dark soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and verify that hoisin sauce is gluten-free (many brands are, but check the label).

What can I serve alongside chicken lettuce wraps?

Serve with steamed rice, jasmine rice, or a simple cucumber salad. Sriracha, extra hoisin, or a squeeze of lime on the side complements the wraps well.