If you’re looking for a fun, healthy, and super tasty dinner, these Lettuce Rice Wraps are perfect! They’re colorful, crunchy, and packed with flavor. Plus, you can eat them with your hands how cool is that? This recipe uses ground chicken, fresh veggies, and a creamy peanut sauce that makes every bite delicious. It’s great for kids and adults, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Method
Cook the Chicken & Rice
To begin, heat one tablespoon of avocado oil (or your preferred cooking oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the finely chopped half onion and sauté it for about 3 minutes until it becomes soft and slightly golden. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, just until it becomes fragrant be careful not to let it burn.
Next, add the ground chicken to the skillet. Season it lightly with salt and pepper, and use a spatula to break it apart as it cooks. Stir frequently, and cook the chicken until it’s fully browned and no longer pink, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. At this point, pour in the low sodium chicken broth and add the entire packet of Minute Instant Rice with Quinoa. This rice cooks quickly and absorbs flavor well, which makes it a perfect choice for a one-pan dish.
Once the rice is in, stir in the low sodium soy sauce and oyster sauce. These sauces bring a rich, savory flavor to the dish. Mix everything together well so that the chicken and rice are evenly coated. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then lower the heat, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for around 10 minutes. During this time, the liquid will be absorbed by the rice, making it fluffy and flavorful.
Add Fresh Veggies
After the rice and chicken mixture is done cooking, turn off the heat and remove the lid. It’s time to add some fresh crunch! Toss in the matchstick-cut carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber. These vegetables are added raw, which helps them keep their bright color and crisp texture. Mix everything gently in the skillet so the veggies are evenly spread throughout the warm rice and chicken. This contrast of warm and cool, soft and crunchy, makes the wraps extra exciting to eat.
Make the Yummy Peanut Sauce
While the mixture cools slightly, prepare the creamy peanut sauce. In a small mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, low sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. Whisk them together until smooth. To thin out the sauce to your desired consistency, slowly add 4 to 5 tablespoons of warm water, whisking continuously. The warm water helps everything blend smoothly. If you prefer a thinner drizzle, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or two. Once your sauce is silky and well mixed, set it aside until you’re ready to assemble the wraps.
Time to Wrap!
Now comes the fun part assembling your wraps! Take fresh, clean lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine work best for wrapping) and lay them flat on a plate. Spoon a small amount of the chicken and rice mixture into each leaf, being careful not to overfill. A couple of spoonfuls is perfect for holding and folding. Drizzle a generous amount of the peanut sauce on top, and then garnish with chopped cilantro for freshness. If you like an extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped peanuts over everything. Once your wrap is loaded, fold the lettuce leaf like a taco or roll it up like a little bundle. They’re ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Cutting board and knife
- Mixing bowl (for sauce)
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
Easy Lettuce Rice Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Cuisine: American, ChineseDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes20
minutes35
minutesIngredients
For the Wraps
1 packet Minute Instant Rice with Quinoa
1 lb ground chicken
1 tbsp avocado oil (or your favorite cooking oil)
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 cup carrots, cut into matchsticks
1/2 cup bell peppers, cut into matchsticks
1/2 cup English cucumber (seeds removed), cut into matchsticks
Lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine are great)
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Chopped peanuts (optional)
For the Peanut Sauce
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp sesame oil
4–5 tbsp warm water (more if you want it thinner)
Directions
- Cook the Chicken & Rice
Start by heating your oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 3 minutes until soft. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Now, add the ground chicken. Season with a little salt and pepper. Cook it until it turns brown (about 6–8 minutes).
Next, pour in the chicken broth and stir in the rice and quinoa packet. Add soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir it all together, bring it to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid is gone. - Add Fresh Veggies
Once your chicken and rice are done, turn off the heat. Toss in the carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers. Give it a good mix. These crunchy veggies make it extra fresh and fun to eat! - Make the Yummy Peanut Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and warm water. Keep mixing until it’s smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add more water a little at a time. - Time to Wrap!
Take a lettuce leaf and spoon some of the warm chicken and rice mixture into it. Drizzle with peanut sauce and top with cilantro and peanuts (if you like them). Then roll or fold and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken or it’ll get dry. Once it’s no longer pink, it’s ready!
- Make sure the rice absorbs the liquid fully before adding the veggies.
- Only add the fresh veggies at the end this keeps them crisp and not soggy.
- Be careful not to overfill your lettuce leaves or they might tear. Use just a spoonful or two per wrap.
Serving Suggestions
- These wraps go great with a side of fruit like mango or pineapple.
- Try adding a little hot sauce if you like a kick!
- You can also serve the mix over rice bowls if you’re out of lettuce.
- Make it a fun DIY dinner and let everyone build their own wraps at the table.
Fun Fact!
Did you know that lettuce wraps are super popular in Asian cuisine? In places like Thailand and Korea, people often use lettuce instead of bread or tortillas to keep meals light and crunchy.
Conclusion
These Lettuce Rice Wraps are one of my favorite go-to meals. They’re easy to make, full of fresh flavors, and super fun to eat. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe checks all the boxes. Give it a try and let me know how it goes your taste buds will thank you!
