Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These Asian-style chicken lettuce wraps are made with tender, juicy chopped chicken thighs and coated in a flavorful sauce with garlic, ginger, and water chestnuts. They’re perfect for weeknight dinners or casual appetizers. The best part—they come together in just under 30 minutes. Each wrap is fresh, satisfying, and packed with just the right amount of crunch. If you prefer red meat, this sauce complements ground beef just as well.

Chicken covered in sauce and green onions on lettuce leaves. The leaves are lying on white plates on a grey surface.

Ingredients

1.25 lbs boneless , skinless chicken thighs, finely chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 head Butter or Bibb lettuce, leaves separated and rinsed

For the Sauce

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon brown sugar

Optional Garnishes

Chopped peanuts or cashews
Additional green onions
Lime wedges
Extra sauce for drizzling

Instructions

Mix hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce (if using), Sriracha, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken thighs and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned.
Push the chicken to the side of the pan and add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then mix everything together.
Stir in the sauce, chopped water chestnuts, and green onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes, reducing the sauce and evenly coating the chicken mixture.
Spoon the warm filling into the center of each lettuce leaf. Top with chopped nuts, more green onions, or a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately.

These chicken lettuce wraps are flavorful, quick to make, and perfect for sharing. Using chicken thighs gives the filling a rich flavor and keeps it tender in every bite.