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+ servings

California-Style Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Light, fresh, and packed with flavor, these peanut chicken lettuce wraps are perfect for a quick dinner or a fancy appetizer.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Appetizer, Chicken, Dinner, Quick Meals
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 410

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Vegetables
  • 3 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into strips
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 medium carrots shredded
  • 3 cups bean sprouts
  • 3 cups English cucumber cut into matchsticks
  • 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts for garnish
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
For the Peanut Sauce
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili garlic sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice from about 2 limes
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger grated
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup warm water to thin sauce

Method
 

Prepare the Ingredients
  1. Gather all ingredients. Wash and dry the vegetables. Shred the carrots, cut the cucumber into matchsticks, and slice the chicken breasts into thin strips.
Make the Peanut Sauce
  1. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, sweet chili garlic sauce, lime juice, honey, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Whisk until smooth. Gradually add warm water, whisking continuously, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency (thick but pourable). Set aside.
Grill the Chicken
  1. Preheat your grill to 400°F. In a bowl, toss the chicken strips with 1/2 cup of the peanut sauce and the kosher salt until well coated.
  2. Grill the chicken strips for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Assemble the Wraps
  1. Arrange the shredded carrots, bean sprouts, cucumber matchsticks, and grilled chicken on a large platter. Place the remaining peanut sauce in a small bowl in the center. Drizzle a little extra sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Serve with butter lettuce leaves for wrapping, either pre-made or DIY style.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 38gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 5gSugar: 16g

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, grilled or pan-seared. The peanut sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week; use it as a salad dressing or dip. To save time, prep all veggies and sauce up to 24 hours ahead. Avoid overcooking the chicken—juicy strips are key. For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Serve with lime wedges on the side for brightness.

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