I absolutely love this Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe because it nails that perfect combination of savory, tangy, and just a hint of spice you’ve been craving from the restaurant. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually super approachable to make on a weeknight, especially when you want something fresh yet comforting.
When I first tried to recreate these at home, I was amazed at how close I could get to the original flavors with just a handful of simple ingredients. You’ll find that it’s a fun recipe to customize too, and it’s perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a light dinner that still satisfies big appetites.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant Quality at Home: This Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe delivers authentic flavors you’d expect from a great Asian fusion spot, but made in your own kitchen.
- Simple & Quick to Prepare: With just around 30 minutes total, it’s a fantastic option when you want a tasty meal without a big time commitment.
- Fresh & Crowd-Pleasing: The crisp lettuce combined with savory chicken makes it delightful for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
- Flexible Ingredients: You’ll find it easy to tweak the spice level or swap up veggies depending on what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe lies in how these simple ingredients come together to create bold, layered flavors. Let me walk you through why I love each one and a quick tip on choosing them.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds a sweet and tangy depth; opt for a good-quality brand for maximum flavor.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Keeps saltiness balanced without overwhelming the dish.
- Rice Wine Vinegar: Brings a gentle acidity that brightens everything up.
- Sriracha (optional): For that extra kick; start with less if you’re spice-sensitive and adjust as you go.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty richness—just a little goes a long way.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Perfect for sautéing; I like its mild flavor, but you can use any neutral oil.
- Onion (medium, diced): Builds a flavorful base when cooked until soft.
- Garlic (minced): Freshly minced for that punch of aroma and taste.
- Freshly Grated Ginger: Gives a warm, zesty note that’s essential here.
- Ground Chicken: Lean and moist, it soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Canned Water Chestnuts: For a subtle crunch; slice thin for even texture.
- Green Onions (thinly sliced): Stirred in last for freshness and a mild bite.
- Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To balance and season perfectly.
- Large Leafy Lettuce (leaves separated): Crisp and sturdy, I swear by butter lettuce or Boston lettuce for easy wrapping.
- Cooked White Rice (optional): Great if you want to turn it into a more filling meal.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe is how easy it is to personalize—you can truly make it your own without sacrificing that signature flavor.
- Add Veggies: I often toss in shredded carrots or diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color—it makes the wraps feel even fresher.
- Protein Swaps: Sometimes I use ground turkey or even chopped mushrooms to suit dietary needs, and they work surprisingly well with the sauce.
- Gluten-Free Option: Just swap tamari or gluten-free soy sauce for traditional soy sauce, and you’re good to go.
- Heat Levels: Play with the Sriracha amount or add crushed red pepper flakes if you want to amp up the spice.
How to Make Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
Start by mixing hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil in a small bowl. This creates that iconic tangy-sweet-umami blend that’s the heart of the dish. I like to whisk it thoroughly so all the flavors marry well before adding it to the chicken.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced onions and cook until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Then add minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly for around a minute until fragrant—you’ll know by the delicious aroma filling your kitchen!
Next, add the ground chicken, breaking it up with your spoon as it cooks. Cook until it’s no longer pink, nearly fully cooked through; this keeps the meat tender and juicy for that perfect wrap texture.
Step 3: Add the Sauce and Finish Cooking
Pour in your prepared sauce and cook everything together for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This step lets the sauce thicken slightly while fully cooking the chicken. Once done, turn off the heat and gently stir in the sliced water chestnuts and green onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper—this is where you can really play with seasoning to suit your preferences.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture onto each lettuce leaf, about a 1/4 cup serving per wrap. If you’re including rice, add a bit on the leaf first for some carbs. Fold or roll the lettuce leaf like a taco and enjoy immediately for the best crunch and flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ginger and garlic make a big difference in flavor, so avoid pre-minced when possible.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Slightly undercooked is better here because the sauce and residual heat finish it off—this keeps the texture tender.
- Choose Crisp Lettuce: Butter or Boston lettuce holds the filling well and adds a nice crunch; iceberg can work but is less flexible.
- Serve Immediately: Lettuce wraps lose their crispness quickly, so wait to assemble until you’re ready to eat to keep everything fresh.
How to Serve Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these wraps with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts or toasted sesame seeds for extra texture and a mild crunch. Sometimes I add fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up each bite. Thinly sliced red chili or a drizzle of extra Sriracha works wonders if you’re feeling spicy!
Side Dishes
To keep the meal balanced, I often serve these wraps alongside steamed jasmine rice or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a little sugar. Sometimes I add quick pickled daikon or carrots for a tangy contrast. It’s a fun, light meal that’s perfect any time.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love arranging the lettuce leaves on a large platter with small bowls of chicken filling, garnishes, and sauces separately—so guests can build their own wraps. Another fun idea is to use colorful lettuce varieties or even collard greens for a twist. It’s always a conversation starter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After preparing the chicken mixture, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce leaves separate wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a container or zip-top bag to maintain their crispness. This way, your leftovers stay fresh and ready to assemble on demand.
Freezing
I’ve found that the chicken filling freezes beautifully, so portion it out in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. I don’t recommend freezing the lettuce, though—it loses its texture quickly.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken mixture gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This keeps the texture moist and delicious. Resist microwaving too long, as it can dry out the chicken.
FAQs
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Can I use other meats instead of ground chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, pork, or even beef can be used based on your preference. Each will bring a slightly different flavor and texture but still work perfectly with the sauce and lettuce wraps.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not exactly as written since traditional soy sauce contains gluten. However, substituting tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce makes it gluten-free without compromising on taste.
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How spicy is this Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe?
The recipe has a mild heat level mostly from the optional Sriracha. You can easily adjust this by adding more or less Sriracha depending on your heat tolerance or leaving it out entirely.
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What lettuce variety is best for the wraps?
Butter lettuce or Boston lettuce works best because their leaves are tender, wide, and flexible, making them perfect for holding the filling without tearing.
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Can I prepare any parts of this recipe ahead of time?
You can make the chicken mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge, but I recommend assembling the wraps just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp and fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe has become one of my go-to meals because it’s effortless, delicious, and endlessly adaptable. If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful dish that impresses without requiring hours in the kitchen, this recipe is definitely worth trying. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered it from a restaurant instead!
PrintCopycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe offers a flavorful, healthy alternative to traditional wraps, featuring ground chicken cooked with a savory sauce made from hoisin, soy, rice wine vinegar, and a touch of Sriracha. Served in crisp lettuce leaves with crunchy water chestnuts and fresh green onions, this dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner that’s quick to prepare and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Sriracha (optional)
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
Filling
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1/2 cup canned water chestnuts, drained and sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Large leafy lettuce leaves, separated
- Cooked white rice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha, and sesame oil until well combined and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until opaque and mostly cooked through.
- Add sauce and finish filling: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and the chicken to finish cooking through. Remove from heat and stir in sliced water chestnuts and green onions. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture into the center of each separated lettuce leaf. Optionally serve with cooked white rice. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of Sriracha or add chili flakes.
- Ground turkey or pork can be substituted for ground chicken.
- Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce works best as it is tender yet sturdy enough to hold the filling.
- Make sure to drain water chestnuts well to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- Prep all ingredients before cooking for a smooth, quick process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe without rice)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg