Sweet and Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

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These Thai chicken lettuce wraps have the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy in every bite!

Lettuce wraps are a great light alternative to a flour-based wrap.

These food vehicles are common in Thai culture and they pack so much punch that you won’t even notice that there’s no bread.

These Thai chicken lettuce wraps have the perfect balance

They’re light, healthy, and a fun way to enjoy Thai flavors.

The juicy chicken is marinated in a chili-lime-honey mix, stir-fried with aromatic lemongrass and ginger, and topped with fresh mango, cilantro, and cashews for a vibrant finish.

This creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that has a very satisfying texture variety.

The juicy chicken is marinated in a chili-lime-honey mix

Why you will love this Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe…

  • Quick midweek meal- This dish can be executed in just under 30 minutes.
  • Delicious Thai flavors- The chili, lime, lemongrass, mango, and ginger sing of Thailand!
  • Versatile- These lettuce wraps can be finger foods, an appetizer, or a main meal.
  • Great texture- The tender chicken contrasts perfectly with the crispy lettuce, soft mango, and crunchy cashews.
  • Great for entertaining- Your guests are bound to go back for second helpings of these little parcels.
Why you will love this Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe

Sweet and Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These Thai chicken lettuce wraps are a perfect balance of flavors and textures, guaranteed to wow your taste buds!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4
Calories 312 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade:

  • 1 lb ground chicken or chicken breast, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp Thai chili paste (or Sriracha for milder heat)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tsp fish sauce

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (or neutral oil)
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, finely minced (white part only)
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup diced ripe mango
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

For Serving:

  • 1 head of butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, separated into leaves
  • 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tbsp chopped cashews (or peanuts)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Lime wedges

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken with chili paste, honey, lime juice, and fish sauce. Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep other ingredients.
  • Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add minced lemongrass, ginger, and garlic, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the marinated chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
  • Once the chicken is cooked through, stir in the diced mango and cook for another 1–2 minutes to warm it slightly while keeping it juicy. Remove the skillet from heat.
  • Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture in each lettuce leaf. Top with a few cucumber slices, a drizzle of Thai sweet chili sauce, chopped cashews, and fresh cilantro.
  • Arrange the wraps on a platter with lime wedges on the side. Serve immediately and encourage everyone to squeeze lime juice over the wraps for an extra zesty kick!

Nutrition

Calories 312kcal (16%)Carbohydrates 24g (8%)Protein 22g (44%)Fat 15g (23%)Saturated Fat 4g (25%)Polyunsaturated Fat 4gMonounsaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0.1gCholesterol 98mg (33%)Sodium 392mg (17%)Potassium 817mg (23%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 20g (22%)Vitamin A 483IU (10%)Vitamin C 18mg (22%)Calcium 27mg (3%)Iron 2mg (11%)
Keyword Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

This dish is very versatile and can be served in many different settings. Smaller portions can be served as an appetizer or as finger food for a gathering. But, if served in larger portions, these Thai chicken lettuce wraps can be a filling main meal.

For a refreshing twist, pair it with an Iced Limoncello – the citrusy sweetness will complement the spicy and sweet flavors of the wraps perfectly!

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Marinade overnight. This will intensify the flavors in the chicken.
  • Add extra crunchy. Add some thinly sliced bell peppers to the wraps.
  • Adjust the heat. If you want it spicier, add a little more chili paste but reduce it if you want less spice.
  • Meal prep. This dish is a great time saver as a meal prep option.
This dish is very versatile

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Store the chicken separately and only fill the lettuce cups just before serving. Place the chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat- Place the chicken back in the pan and heat on medium until warmed through fully.
  • To freeze- The chicken filling is ideal for freezing, especially for meal prep. Place it in Ziploc bags and label it with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps FAQs

What goes with Thai lettuce wraps?

You can customize these wraps by adding egg noodles, salsa, or avocado. You can also play with flavors and use beef or pork as the protein.

Is eating lettuce wraps healthy?

Lettuce wraps are considered healthy because the vessel (the lettuce) is much healthier than flour-based wraps. The lettuce is low-calorie, and rich in calcium, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, and potassium.

How to roll lettuce wraps?

These lettuce wraps are intended to be served almost like open tacos or cups rather than wrapped like a burrito. Fill the lettuce cup with chicken and pull the sides closed so the filling doesn’t escape, then take a bite, and enjoy!

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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