PF Changs Lettuce Wraps (copycat) 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)
- 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.
Matt Robinson says
This would be my summer favorite as well. Bookmarked and needs to happen here very soon!
Erica says
Thanks Matt– we are fans of Real Food by Dad! Thanks for your comment! 😀
How to Philosophize with Cake says
Those look delicious! I love lettuce wraps, this variation sounds yummy. 🙂
Crystal says
Yummy!! Sounds delicious!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Nicole says
These lettuce wraps are FANTASTIC! I’ve tried a few other recipes and this one by far is the best. I love Yard House’s lettuce wraps and I think these come pretty darn close if not better! I use ground turkey most of the time and leave out the chili flakes for my kids and they turn out great. Thanks for posting the recipe!
Jocelyn says
I served these for dinner tonight, and my family loved them. I was too lazy to make the dipping sauces, and as it turned out, the lettuce wraps were fabulous all on their own. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
Kimberly says
Have you ever had the Tofu lettuce wraps? Would it be as easy to replace the chicken with tofu?
Erica says
I haven’t had them, but I am sure you would be able to replace it without any problems. Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
ruby says
Hi can I use ice berg lettuce instead cant get butter lettuce ???? Thanks
Erica says
You can but the lettuce just won’t hold together quite as well as butter lettuce. It should still taste great though!
Spencer says
Hi, how many would you think this serves? 3-4? Thanks in advance!
Favorite Family Recipes says
It would probably serve 4 (each person being able to have 2-3 lettuce wraps) depending on how hungry your guests are!
Tina says
Extremely salty!! I can’t even eat them :(. I followed the recipe exactly however I did substitute chili garlic instead of the sweet. I’m so bummed.
Favorite Family Recipes says
What kind of Teriyaki sauce did you use? We use Yoshida’s in this recipe and it should make it actually a little on the sweeter side.