Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a quick Asian-inspired meal made with shredded chicken, rice, fresh vegetables, and a simple homemade orange ginger teriyaki sauce. Ready in just 10 minutes, these healthy chicken lettuce wraps are an easy lunch, weeknight dinner, appetizer, or meal-prep idea and a great way to use leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Need a REALLY quick dinner? These Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps are ready in about 10 minutes when you start with precooked chicken and rice. They’re fresh, crunchy, saucy, and easy to customize, which is always a win when everyone in the family wants something different.

The chicken gets tossed with a simple homemade teriyaki sauce made with soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, fresh ginger, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic. Then pile it into crisp lettuce leaves with rice, carrots, and fresh cilantro. Save the rest of that sauce for dipping!

These Asian chicken lettuce wraps are also one of my favorite ways to use leftover chicken. Chop it, shred it, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store when you need an extra shortcut.

No leftover chicken? You can quickly bake or grill a few boneless chicken breasts instead.

These aren’t intended to be a PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps copycat recipe. Rather than a cooked ground chicken filling, this easy version starts with precooked chicken and has its own orange ginger teriyaki sauce.

They’re great for lunch, dinner, appetizers, meal prep, or even school lunches. Lots of options!

What I Love About This Recipe

• They’re ready in about 10 minutes. Since the chicken and rice are already cooked, there’s no real cooking required for this easy lettuce wraps recipe. Just whisk together the sauce, toss some with the chicken, and assemble everything in crisp lettuce leaves. It’s a great last-minute lunch or simple weeknight dinner when you don’t feel like spending forever in the kitchen.
• They’re perfect for leftover or rotisserie chicken. We always seem to have leftover chicken hanging out in the refrigerator, and this recipe puts it to GOOD use. Chopped chicken works great, but shredded chicken is just as easy. Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes these wraps especially quick when you’re starting from scratch.
• The homemade teriyaki sauce is super simple. No need for a complicated sauce with a mile-long ingredient list. Soy sauce, orange juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, fresh ginger, onion powder, and garlic come together in minutes. The orange juice gives the teriyaki sauce a little extra sweetness and fresh citrus flavor.
• Everyone can build their own. Put the chicken, rice, carrots, cilantro, lettuce leaves, and extra teriyaki sauce on the table and let everyone assemble their own wraps. You can easily add other toppings such as green onion, water chestnuts, cabbage, nuts, or avocado. It’s an easy way to accommodate different tastes without making multiple meals.
• They work for everything from lunchboxes to appetizers. Pack the ingredients separately in a bento-style lunch so the lettuce stays crisp, serve the wraps for a light dinner, or make smaller portions for an Asian-inspired appetizer. They’re versatile enough to work for just about any time of day.

Equipment You May Need

• Small Mixing Bowl – Use a small bowl to quickly whisk together the homemade teriyaki sauce.
• Whisk – Helps dissolve the brown sugar and evenly combine the soy sauce, orange juice, ginger, and other sauce ingredients.
• Medium Mixing Bowl – You’ll need this for tossing the precooked chicken with half of the teriyaki sauce.
• Sharp Knife – Helpful for chopping the cooked chicken, carrots, cilantro, and any additional vegetables or toppings.
• Cutting Board – Gives you plenty of room for prepping the chicken and vegetables.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – The homemade sauce has several ingredients, so accurate measuring helps keep the salty, sweet, and citrus flavors balanced.
• Bento Box or Food Containers – Optional, but handy if you’re packing these chicken lettuce wraps for lunch and want to keep the components separate.

Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps Ingredients

For the Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy Sauce – The savory base for this easy homemade teriyaki sauce. If you need a gluten-free meal, be sure to choose a gluten-free soy sauce.
• Orange Juice – Adds citrus flavor and a little natural sweetness to the sauce. You can experiment with another favorite citrus juice if you’d like.
• Water – Helps balance and thin the soy sauce mixture.
• Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness to the teriyaki sauce. Add a little more if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce – Adds extra savory depth to the homemade sauce.
• Ground Fresh Ginger – Fresh ginger adds warm, zippy flavor that works especially well in these Asian chicken lettuce wraps.
• Onion Powder – An easy way to add onion flavor without chopping another ingredient.
• Garlic Powder – Adds a little garlic flavor to round out the teriyaki sauce.

For the Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Chopped Precooked Chicken – Leftover chicken works perfectly here. You can also use shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked boneless chicken breasts.
• Precooked Rice – Makes the lettuce wraps more filling and turns them into an easy lunch or dinner. Use your favorite type of cooked rice.
• Carrots – Finely chopped carrots add color, freshness, and plenty of crunch.
• Fresh Cilantro – Adds bright, fresh flavor to the finished lettuce wraps.
• Lettuce Leaves – Bibb lettuce is my favorite for lettuce wraps because the leaves make convenient little cups. Baby romaine, iceberg, or your favorite sturdy lettuce can also work.

How to Make Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Step One: Make the Teriyaki Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, orange juice, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, onion powder, and garlic until well combined.

Step Two: Add the Sauce to the Chicken
In a medium bowl, mix together half of the teriyaki sauce with the chicken until well combined.

Step Three: Assemble the Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Assemble the lettuce wraps as desired with chicken, rice, carrots, and cilantro in the lettuce. Serve with the remaining teriyaki sauce for dipping.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

Chicken Lettuce Wrap Variations

These lettuce wraps are VERY easy to customize, so don’t be afraid to raid the refrigerator and see what needs to be used.

• Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Cook ground chicken thoroughly, then use it as inspiration for a different version of these wraps. The texture will be more like some restaurant-style lettuce wraps.
• Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Use shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken for one of the quickest variations.
• Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add your favorite peanut sauce as a drizzle or dipping sauce for a nutty variation.
• Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add your favorite hot sauce, chili sauce, or spicy condiment to the filling or dipping sauce.
• Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Sprinkle chopped cashews over the filling for extra crunch.
• Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Swap the teriyaki flavor profile for Buffalo sauce and your favorite Buffalo chicken toppings for a completely different variation.
• BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Use BBQ chicken and add crunchy vegetables for another easy option.
• Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps: Use seasoned taco chicken with your favorite taco toppings and lettuce instead of tortillas.
• Avocado Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add diced or sliced avocado right before serving.
• Thai-Inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add compatible Thai-inspired flavors such as peanut sauce, lime, herbs, or chili to create a different variation.
• Korean-Inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Use your favorite Korean-style chicken sauce and toppings rather than the teriyaki mixture.
• Chinese-Inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add ingredients such as water chestnuts, green onion, or cabbage for extra crunch.

Serving Suggestions

• For Lunch: Serve the chicken, rice, vegetables, and lettuce separately and let everyone build their own wraps.
• For Dinner: Add extra rice or a simple vegetable side for an easy weeknight meal.
• As an Appetizer: Make smaller lettuce wraps and arrange them on a platter with teriyaki sauce for dipping.
• For School Lunches: Pack the ingredients separately, bento box style, so the lettuce stays crisp.
• With Extra Rice: Serve additional cooked rice on the side for a more filling meal.
• With Vegetables: Add green onion, water chestnuts, cabbage, or other crunchy vegetables.
• With Nuts: Chopped cashews or peanuts can add extra crunch.
• With Avocado: Fresh avocado adds creamy texture that works nicely with the crisp lettuce.
• With Extra Sauce: Keep that reserved teriyaki sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Start with precooked chicken. That’s what makes these Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps a 10-minute meal.
• Use rotisserie chicken for an extra shortcut. No need to cook chicken when you’re in a hurry.
• Chop or shred the chicken. Either works, so use whichever texture you prefer.
• Use precooked rice. Leftover rice is perfect and keeps prep time short.
• Finely chop the carrots. Small pieces are easier to fit into lettuce leaves and give you crunch in every bite.
• Don’t use all the teriyaki sauce on the chicken. Mix HALF with the chicken and reserve the rest for dipping.
• Add more brown sugar if you like sweeter teriyaki sauce. Adjust it to your family’s taste.
• Try another citrus juice. Orange juice adds sweetness and flavor, but you can use your favorite citrus juice.
• Dry the lettuce thoroughly. Wet leaves can make the wraps watery and harder to hold.
• Bibb lettuce is a great choice. Its naturally cupped leaves are especially convenient for lettuce wraps.
• Don’t assemble meal-prep wraps ahead of time. Keep the components separate until you’re ready to eat so the lettuce stays fresh and crisp.
• Add extra crunch. Water chestnuts, cabbage, green onions, cashews, or peanuts are easy additions.
• Use tortillas if needed. If lettuce wraps aren’t your thing, tortillas make an easy substitute.

Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps FAQ

How should I store Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps?
Store the chicken mixture, rice, vegetables, lettuce, and extra sauce separately in covered containers in the refrigerator. Keeping everything separate helps prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy. Assemble the wraps right before eating.

Can I freeze Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps?
I wouldn’t freeze the assembled lettuce wraps because lettuce does not freeze and thaw particularly well. You may be able to freeze appropriate individual cooked components, such as the chicken, but keep the fresh lettuce and vegetables separate.

How long will Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps last?
The exact storage time depends on the freshness of your precooked chicken and rice before you make the recipe. Store leftovers promptly in the refrigerator and follow safe storage guidelines for the cooked ingredients you’re using.

What substitutions can I make?
Instead of lettuce, use tortillas. Instead of chicken, you can substitute chopped precooked shrimp or another favorite protein. You can also use shredded chicken instead of chopped chicken, another citrus juice instead of orange juice, or baby romaine or iceberg instead of Bibb lettuce.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
There aren’t many high-fat ingredients in the recipe. Choose the chicken and other ingredients that work best for your preferences. Keep in mind that different substitutions can change the flavor and nutrition.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Green onion, water chestnuts, cabbage, nuts, avocado, cashews, or peanuts would all be fun additions. You can also experiment with spicy sauce or peanut sauce. For bigger flavor changes, use the basic lettuce wrap idea to create Buffalo, BBQ, Thai-inspired, Korean-inspired, Chinese-inspired, or chicken taco variations.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – Replace the chicken with a plant-based protein and make sure the Worcestershire sauce and other ingredients are vegan as well.

Vegetarian – Replace the chicken with a plant-based protein and make sure the Worcestershire sauce and other ingredients are vegetarian as well.

Low-Carb – For a lower-carb option, leave out the rice and add less sugar and orange juice to the sauce or use a sugar substitute.

Gluten-Free – For gluten-free chicken lettuce wraps, use gluten-free soy sauce and carefully check the Worcestershire sauce and all other packaged ingredients.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• How to Make Shredded Chicken – Keep homemade shredded chicken on hand and these lettuce wraps become even easier.
• Chicken Greek Salad Wraps – Another fresh chicken wrap that’s great for an easy lunch or dinner.
• General Tso’s Slow Cooked Pork Tacos – A fun Asian-inspired meal with plenty of bold flavor.
• Homemade Teriyaki Sauce – A handy sauce to keep around for chicken, vegetables, and other quick meals.

I hope you enjoy these Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps! 

Another easy lunch or dinner option is these fun Mini Pea Soup Bread Bowls!