Description
These Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wrap Bowls are a lighter, healthier take on the popular P.F. Chang’s appetizer. Packed with savory ground chicken, crunchy carrots, and a sweet and savory peanut-soy glaze, they deliver all the flavor of your favorite takeout without the heavy carbs. Whether served in crisp lettuce cups or eaten straight from a bowl, this protein-rich meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal-prep lunch.
Ingredients
The Stir-Fry
- 1 pound lean ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
The Savory Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute (e.g., Truvia brown sugar blend or Stevia)
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
- A dash of Sriracha (to taste)
The Thickener
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
Serving
- 12 leaves green leaf lettuce or butter lettuce (washed and dried)
- Sesame seeds (garnish)
- Sliced green onions (garnish)
Instructions
Sauté Aromatics
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic, diced onion, and shredded carrots. Sauté briefly until the onion and carrots begin to soften (about 2-3 minutes).
Brown Chicken
Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon into small crumbles, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink.
Make the Sauce
Reduce heat slightly. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar substitute, peanut butter, and Sriracha directly to the pan. Stir well. The sauce will begin to form as the peanut butter melts and mixes with the liquids.
Thicken
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Pour this into the pan and stir constantly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken and vegetables.
Serve
Remove from heat. Spoon the chicken mixture into the crisp lettuce leaves. Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
Lettuce Prep: The secret to a great lettuce wrap is dry lettuce. Wash your leaves and dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a salad spinner. Wet lettuce will cool down the filling and make the wrap soggy.
The Crunch Factor: Traditional recipes often use water chestnuts for crunch. If you aren’t strictly watching carbs, adding a small can of diced water chestnuts in step 2 is a delicious addition.
Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick or sticky after adding the cornstarch, splash in a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to loosen it up.
Hot Skillet: Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken. You want the meat to brown slightly for flavor, rather than just steaming in its own juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Lunch
- Method: Stovetop / Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Wraps
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken lettuce wraps, pf changs copycat, low carb dinner, keto chicken recipes, healthy meal prep, ground chicken recipes, asian lettuce wraps