Chicken
P.F. Chang's Inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Savory ground chicken with mushrooms, water chestnuts, and a glossy ginger-garlic sauce, spooned into crisp lettuce cups.
Inspired by P.F. Chang's
Prep
25 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Method
Recipe notes
Finely dicing the mushrooms and water chestnuts gives every spoonful the crisp, savory texture that defines the dish. Reduce the filling until glossy and nearly dry so it stays inside the lettuce cups.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate the cooked filling within 2 hours for up to 3 days and keep washed lettuce separate and dry. Reheat the filling to 165 F before assembling fresh cups.
Make-ahead tips
Mix the sauce and dice the vegetables up to 2 days ahead. The filling can be cooked 1 day early, but separate and wash the lettuce close to serving so it remains crisp.
What to serve with it
- - Steamed jasmine rice
- - Cucumber salad with rice vinegar
- - Edamame with a pinch of salt
Equipment needed
- - Large skillet or wok
- - Sharp chef's knife
- - Instant-read thermometer
Difficulty explained
Careful chopping takes a little prep, but the filling cooks quickly in one skillet and the sauce is forgiving.
Nutrition estimate
Calories
330
Protein
27g
Carbs
21g
Fat
16g
Sat. fat
4g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
9g
Sodium
860mg
Estimated nutrition per serving. Values are approximate and can change materially with brands, substitutions, optional toppings, portion size, and cooking method.
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Tamari
Use tamari in the same amount for a similar savory profile.
Plant-based butter
Use a firm, baking-style plant butter in the same amount.
Arrowroot starch
Use an equal amount of arrowroot starch for thickening or crisp coatings.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Wet lettuce leaves dilute the sauce and make the wraps slippery, so dry them thoroughly after washing.
- Leaving large mushroom or water-chestnut pieces makes the filling harder to spoon and causes lettuce cups to tear.
- Too much sauce or too little reduction creates a runny filling that pools instead of clinging to the chicken.
Nutrition Context
- Ground chicken supplies protein while lettuce keeps the wrapper light; hoisin and soy sauce provide most of the sodium and added sugar.
- Serving rice on the side makes the portion more substantial, while extra lettuce cups keep it appetizer-light.
FAQ
Which lettuce works best?
Butter lettuce is pliable and cup-shaped. Small iceberg leaves are crisper but can crack more easily.
Can I make the filling ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate it promptly, reheat to 165 F, and assemble only when ready to eat.
Why is my filling watery?
Mushrooms or sauce need more reduction. Cook over medium-high heat until the pan looks glossy rather than wet.
Can I make the wraps less sweet?
Reduce hoisin by one tablespoon and add an extra teaspoon of soy sauce or rice vinegar after tasting.
What adds the signature crunch?
Finely diced water chestnuts stay crisp during cooking and contrast with the tender chicken.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Steamed jasmine rice; Cucumber salad with rice vinegar; Edamame with a pinch of salt. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.