Crispy Changs Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Snap-Worthy Crispy Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Recreating the beloved crispy chang’s chicken lettuce wraps at home brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen.

These savory parcels pack a punch of zesty goodness that’ll make taste buds dance with delight.

Tender chicken sizzles with aromatic Asian-inspired seasonings, creating a mouthwatering filling for crisp lettuce leaves.

Perfectly balanced between spicy and sweet, the recipe delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite.

Each wrap offers a delightful blend of textures and robust flavors that’ll transport you to your favorite Asian-style eatery.

The simple yet sophisticated dish comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Your dinner guests will be impressed by this restaurant-inspired treat that feels both indulgent and surprisingly light.

Save and Store Your Chicken Wraps Like a Pro

  • Store leftover chicken mixture in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Warm the chicken filling gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Keep washed lettuce leaves crisp by wrapping them in slightly damp paper towels and storing in a sealed container in the refrigerator's crisper drawer.
  • Chop vegetables and mix sauce ingredients up to 24 hours before cooking, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline meal preparation and save time during busy weeknights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Changs Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Ingredients List

For Flavor Base:
  • Sesame Oil: Adds nutty depth and authentic Asian cooking aroma, choose cold-pressed for richer taste.
  • Ground Chicken: Lean protein that absorbs seasonings beautifully, select fresh meat with minimal fat.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic flavor trinity creating bold and zesty base, select firm and fragrant produce.
  • Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp accent with vibrant color, choose bright green stalks with crisp whites.
  • Carrots: Adds subtle sweetness and delightful texture, pick firm and bright orange varieties.
For Texture and Sauce Elements:
  • Water Chestnuts: Delivers delightful crunch and subtle sweetness, look for firm, white pieces.
  • Sauce Ingredients (Not Specified): Creates tangy, savory coating that elevates entire dish, seek balanced blend of sweet and umami flavors.
For Serving:
  • Lettuce Leaves: Provides crisp, refreshing wrapper, select large, sturdy leaves like butter or iceberg.
  • Peanuts: Optional topping adding delightful crunch and nutty richness, choose roasted and unsalted varieties.

Tools That Help You Prep These Chicken Wraps

  • Whisk: Small tool for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and mixing ingredients.
  • Cutting board: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, and green onions.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for precise vegetable and garnish preparation.
  • Measuring spoons: Crucial for accurate sauce ingredient measurements.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and breaking up ground chicken while cooking.
  • Small bowl: Used for preparing and setting aside sauce mixture.

Cooking Instructions for Changs Lettuce Wraps

  • Brown the Chicken Unleash the Sizzle Heat up a skillet and transform ground chicken into a golden, crumbly masterpiece by cooking it thoroughly over medium heat.
  • Awaken the Aromatics Toss in diced onions, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger, creating a flavor explosion that will make your kitchen smell incredible.
  • Boost the Texture Introduce water chestnuts, sliced green onions, and optional shredded carrots to add crunch and dimension to the mix.
  • Drench in Flavor Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken mixture, stirring until every morsel is coated and the sauce transforms into a glossy, slightly thickened coating.
  • Wrap and Serve Spoon the sizzling chicken onto crisp lettuce leaves, creating handheld parcels of deliciousness. Sprinkle with extra green onions or crushed peanuts for a final flourish of flavor and texture.

Options to Adjust Flavor and Texture

  • Add a splash of rice wine or mirin for extra depth and authenticity in the sauce.
  • Swap lettuce for crisp cabbage leaves or use large cucumber slices as a zero-carb wrap alternative for keto dieters.
  • Replace ground chicken with ground turkey, tofu, or plant-based meat substitute for diverse dietary needs and preferences.
  • Drizzle sriracha or add red pepper flakes to the mixture for a fiery kick that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
  • Dice mushrooms or bell peppers into the chicken mixture to increase vegetable content and add extra nutrition and texture.

Serving Changs Lettuce Wraps to Impress

  • Fresh Lettuce Bed Presentation: Arrange crisp, chilled iceberg or butter lettuce leaves on a large platter, creating an elegant base for guests to scoop their chicken mixture directly at the table.
  • Crunchy Topping Explosion: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, or crispy wonton strips over the chicken filling to add delightful texture and enhance the overall dining experience.
  • Dipping Sauce Station: Set up small ramekins with additional sauce variations like sriracha mayo, sweet chili sauce, or extra hoisin for guests to customize their lettuce wraps and explore different flavor profiles.
  • Quick Meal Companions: Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice, quick pickled cucumber salad, or light Asian-inspired coleslaw to round out the meal and provide complementary side dishes that balance the savory chicken filling.
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Crispy Changs Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Crispy Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps deliver explosive Asian-inspired flavors that dance across palate boundaries. Crisp lettuce cups cradle spicy minced chicken, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (453 g) ground chicken
  • ½ medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ½ cup (120 ml) diced water chestnuts (canned, drained)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) shredded carrots (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sriracha (optional, for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) brown sugar
  • 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed
  • Extra green onions or chopped peanuts for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk together sauce ingredients in a small bowl, creating a flavorful blend that will enhance the chicken mixture.
  2. Chicken Sautéing: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then brown ground chicken thoroughly, breaking it into fine crumbles while cooking.
  3. Aromatic Enhancement: Incorporate onion, garlic, and ginger into the skillet, sautéing until onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their robust flavors.
  4. Vegetable Integration: Mix in water chestnuts, green onions, and shredded carrots, cooking briefly to maintain their crisp texture and add depth to the dish.
  5. Sauce Infusion: Pour prepared sauce over the chicken mixture, stirring to ensure complete and even coating, then allow to simmer until the sauce slightly thickens and clings to the ingredients.
  6. Serving Presentation: Transfer the aromatic chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves, creating elegant wraps that showcase the vibrant filling.
  7. Final Garnish: Optional – Sprinkle additional green onions or chopped peanuts on top for extra crunch and visual appeal, then serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Use lean ground chicken and break it into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even flavor distribution and prevent clumping.
  • Simmer sauce slowly to achieve the right thickness; if too thin, let it reduce longer or add a small cornstarch slurry to thicken.
  • Choose crisp, sturdy lettuce varieties like iceberg or butter lettuce that can hold the filling without tearing and provide a satisfying crunch.
  • Toast sesame oil briefly before adding chicken to release its nutty aroma and intensify the overall taste profile of the dish.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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