Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Crispy chicken lettuce wraps with a creamy peanut sauce are ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the wraps crispy is to pat the chicken dry before cooking. Relatable problem? I used to end up with soggy wraps. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Fresh Dill and Easy Caramel Apple Slices with Chocolate Drizzle.
Why This Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken strips in every bite
- Creamy peanut sauce for dipping
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout
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.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- lettuce leaves
- peanut butter
- soy sauce
- garlic
- ginger
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- sesame oil
- Optional: chopped peanuts
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs for more flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Makes quick work of mincing garlic and ginger → 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
- Step 1: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and slice into thin strips.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and a splash of water. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 4: Wash and separate lettuce leaves. Spoon chicken strips onto lettuce leaves and drizzle with peanut sauce. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan with chicken strips. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure crispy results.
- : For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the peanut sauce.
- : To make ahead, cook chicken and prepare sauce up to one day in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator and 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 leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare chicken and sauce up to one day in advance. Assemble just before serving.
Freezing Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Freeze cooked chicken strips for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Wrap in a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lower-carb option, use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or pork for the chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce up to one day in advance. Assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your peanut sauce is too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Pot — Cooks chicken quickly and evenly for less effort → Check price on Amazon
Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- lettuce leaves
- peanut butter
- soy sauce
- garlic
- ginger
Seasonings
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- sesame oil
Optional Toppings
- chopped peanuts
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and slice into thin strips.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and a splash of water. Set aside.
- Step 3: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 4: Wash and separate lettuce leaves. Spoon chicken strips onto lettuce leaves and drizzle with peanut sauce. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lower-carb option, use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or pork for the chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce up to one day in advance. Assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your peanut sauce is too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken strips for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Wrap in a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Make ahead: Prepare chicken and sauce up to one day in advance. Assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Quick High Protein Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce up to one day in advance. Assemble just before serving to keep the wraps crispy.
Overcrowding the pan with chicken strips can lead to soggy wraps. Cook in batches to ensure crispy results.
Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken strips for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the peanut sauce for a spicier version.
These wraps are delicious with a side of Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Fresh Dill or Easy Caramel Apple Slices with Chocolate Drizzle for dessert.
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!
