Description
What makes this P.F. Chang’s Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe special is its perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory elements. The dish celebrates the beauty of fresh ingredients while delivering complex flavors that develop quickly in one pan. Unlike heavy appetizers that leave you feeling sluggish, these lettuce wraps provide protein-rich satisfaction while keeping things light and refreshing – making them perfect for entertaining or weeknight dinners when you want something special without the fuss.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1 pound ground chicken (or finely chopped chicken breast)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and diced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For Serving:
- 1 large head butter lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- Additional green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for sprinkling
- Lime wedges
Substitution Options: Ground turkey or pork work beautifully in place of chicken. For vegetarian versions, try crumbled firm tofu or finely chopped mushrooms. Coconut aminos can replace soy sauce for those avoiding soy, and maple syrup makes an excellent brown sugar substitute.
Instructions
Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until smooth. The cornstarch will help thicken the sauce and create that glossy finish that coats the chicken perfectly. Set this aside – you’ll add it during the final stages of cooking.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Let it brown for about 4-5 minutes without stirring too much – this develops deeper flavor. The chicken should be mostly cooked through and starting to get golden edges.
Push chicken to one side of the pan and add diced onion to the empty space. Cook for 2 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and ginger. Stir everything together and cook for another minute until fragrant. The smell of ginger and garlic hitting the hot pan is your cue that magic is happening.
Add diced water chestnuts to the pan and stir to combine. These little gems provide the signature crunch that makes lettuce wraps so texturally interesting. Cook for 2 minutes to warm them through while maintaining their crisp texture.
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly. The sauce will bubble and thicken within 1-2 minutes. Add rice wine vinegar and half the sliced green onions, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Transfer the warm chicken mixture to a serving bowl and garnish with remaining green onions and sesame seeds. Arrange clean, dry lettuce cups on a platter alongside lime wedges. Let everyone assemble their own wraps for an interactive dining experience.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 calories
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 28g