Asian Lettuce Wraps (copycat recipe) are an easy, light appetizer. The dipping sauces in the recipe are to die for! Way better than any restaurant lettuce wraps!
PF Changs Lettuce Wraps (Copycat)
Better than P.F. Changs, better than Yard House, better than Kona Grill… (I am kind of a lettuce-wrap fanatic. Whether they’re from Yard House, Kona Grill or PF Changs, I just love the taste of lettuce wraps. That’s what makes these PF Changs Lettuce Wraps such an amazing copycat recipe. One of the best parts about lettuce wraps is the variety of sauces you can serve on the side. I am providing two sauces in the recipe. For my third sauce (as seen in the picture), I just did the sweet chili sauce mixed with a little Sriracha — I figured that one was too easy to include in the actual recipe.
Personal Preferences
Some people like to use ground chicken in lettuce wraps, and that’s fine… it’s just not my cup of tea. I just think that diced up chicken breast tastes MUCH better. Yard House uses pine nuts in their lettuce wraps, which I LOVE, but pine nuts can get a little pricey. We have made this with chopped cashews and it turns out just as tasty. It really comes down to your preference. As for the lettuce, this is a great debate. For me, I always go with butter lettuce. Some like iceberg, but I am not the biggest fan. Iceberg lettuce is not terrible, but it’s not my first choice. The flavor isn’t my favorite, plus it doesn’t seem to be as pliable as other lettuces. If I can’t find butter lettuce, I will go with bibb or Boston lettuce. It is totally up to you though. Do what is easiest and what you and your family will eat!
Can I Make These More ‘Kid Friendly’?
As a little added note, Asian lettuce wraps aren’t the most “kid-friendly” meal. If you have young ones like I do, lettuce wraps are pretty much impossible. To solve this problem, I just cook up a little rice and put a little of the filling over it for the kiddos. They LOVE it!
More Great Copycats
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So here goes. Some great imitation recipes from your favorite restaurants.
- Cilantro Lime Dressing (Cafe Rio Copycat)Â
- Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat Recipe)
- Honey Baked Ham Recipe (Copycat)
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe (Copycat)
How to Make Easy Asian Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 c. teriyaki sauce we like to use Mr. Yoshidas original
- 1/3 c. sweet chili sauce we use Mae Ploy brand
- 1/4 c. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger finely minced or grated
- red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 1/2 Lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into small pieces
- 2 Tbsp oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp. oil
- 1/2 c. sliced green onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 c. chopped water chestnuts
- 1/2 c. pine nuts chopped cashews work great too
- 1/3 c. chopped mushroom optional
- 1 head butter lettuce
Dipping Sauces:
- remaining teriyaki mixture about 3/4 c.
- 1/4 tsp. Sriracha sauce or to taste– depending on how spicy you like it
- 1-2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Combine teriyaki sauce, chili sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- Mix well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. When oil is hot, add chicken.
- Season chicken lightly with salt and pepper. When chicken is white on all sides (doesn’t need to be completely cooked through), remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate. Discard any extra juices.
- In the same skillet, heat 2 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, water chestnuts, pinenuts, and mushrooms and saute for about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in about 1/2 of the teriyaki mixture and chicken to the skillet. Cook uncovered, for about 7-8 minutes, stirring often until chicken is cooked through. Serve with butter lettuce.
For the dipping sauces:
- Heat remaining teriyaki sauce in a small sauce pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and divide into 2 small bowls (one for spicy teriyaki sauce, one for peanut sauce).
- In one bowl, add about 1/4 tsp. Sriracha sauce (or more to taste) and mix well.
- In the other bowl, add 1-2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter (or to taste), mix until creamy and smooth.
