
These PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps are everything you crave in a takeout favorite—savory, a little sweet, with just the right kick of heat. This easy copycat recipe brings all that bold flavor home in under 20 minutes, with tender ground chicken, a hoisin-soy glaze, crunchy water chestnuts, and cool, crisp butter lettuce for wrapping. It’s fresh, fast, and way better than waiting on delivery.
Why This One’s a Keeper
It’s fast, flavorful, and feels like a restaurant splurge without the bill. You can make the whole thing in one skillet, adjust the heat to your taste, and it’s naturally low-carb and gluten-free adaptable. Plus, everyone loves a build-your-own dinner.

Where This Recipe Comes From
This recipe became a family staple after I got hooked on the restaurant version and had to figure out how to make it at home. Over the years, I’ve tried it with ground turkey, beef, and ground pork, but nothing hits quite like tender ground chicken—it’s the closest match to that crave-worthy original. If you’ve had PF Chang’s lettuce wraps, you already know. If you haven’t? You’re about to find out what the fuss is all about.
Round Up Your Kitchen Tools
- Large skillet – For browning the chicken and building the sauce
- Sharp knife – For mincing garlic and dicing onions
- Grater or microplane – For fresh ginger
- Mixing bowl – For prepping the dipping sauce
- Lettuce spinner or clean towel – To dry butter lettuce leaves
Here’s What You’ll Need
- Ground chicken – Lean and tender for a classic wrap
- Sesame oil – Adds that nutty, toasty flavor
- Garlic and ginger – Fresh and aromatic
- Onion – Diced for sweetness and depth
- Hoisin sauce – Sweet and savory base
- Soy sauce – Use reduced-sodium to keep it balanced
- Rice wine vinegar – Adds a little tang
- Sriracha – Optional heat
- Water chestnuts – Crunch factor
- Green onions – Bright and fresh
- Butter lettuce – Soft, sturdy, and perfect for wrapping
Let’s Get to Cookin’
- Whip up the dipping sauce. Stir together all the ingredients and adjust spice to your liking. Set it aside so the flavors can mingle.
- Brown the chicken. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and cook until fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add aromatics. Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and optional Sriracha. Cook until the onion softens and everything smells incredible.
- Finish with crunch. Add water chestnuts and green onions. Warm through and season to taste.
- Assemble and serve. Spoon hot filling into lettuce leaves. Drizzle or dip into the sauce and enjoy!
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Little Tricks from My Kitchen
- Fresh ginger matters. Skip the jarred stuff. Use a microplane and freeze any extra for next time—it grates even easier frozen.
- Ground chicken too lean? Add a teaspoon of oil or a splash of chicken broth during cooking to keep it moist.
- Make it extra savory. A dash of fish sauce (just a tiny bit!) adds umami depth.
- Don’t overcook the onions. Keep them just shy of fully soft so the filling has texture.
- Try butter lettuce, but… Romaine hearts or iceberg also work well if you need something crunchier.
Even with restaurant flair, this one’s made for home cooks like us—simple, quick, and full of flavor.
Ways to Dish It Up
- Asian Cucumber Salad – Refreshing, tangy, and just the thing to balance these bold wraps.
- Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs – A rich, umami-packed main if you're feeding a crowd.
- Thai Cucumber Apple Salad – Crisp, sweet, and spicy—this salad adds a bright bite.
- Pork Eggrolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce – A crunchy sidekick that turns dinner into a full spread.
- Easy Miso Glazed Salmon – Light, flaky, and loaded with flavor—great for a surf-and-wrap combo.

Curious? You’re Not Alone
What is hoisin sauce made of?
Hoisin sauce is a thick, sweet-savory condiment made from soybeans, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and spices. It’s often used in Chinese cooking to add depth and umami.
Can I make these lettuce wraps gluten-free?
Yes! Just use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and a certified gluten-free hoisin sauce. Butter lettuce and all the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
What kind of lettuce is best for wraps?
Butter lettuce is soft and pliable, making it ideal. Romaine and iceberg work too for more crunch or larger wraps.
Can I freeze the chicken filling?
Absolutely. Let it cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Is this recipe low-carb?
It sure is! With no rice or noodles and lettuce leaves instead of tortillas, it’s a great low-carb option.
What to Do with the Leftovers
Store the cooked chicken filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Keep lettuce leaves dry and separate until ready to serve.
The filling also freezes beautifully—just thaw overnight and reheat when hunger strikes.
Stick Around for Seconds!
If this recipe saved you from another bland weeknight dinner, I hope you’ll come back hungry. There’s plenty more where this came from—subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss a bite.
Tried it? Loved it?
Tell me in the comments! I’d love to hear how yours turned out—any swaps, sauce tweaks, or wrap alternatives? Let’s talk dinner.
Hungry for More? Try These Dinnertime All-Stars
If you loved the bold, savory flavors of PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps, you’re in for a treat with these easy, flavor-packed meals. Each one is quick enough for a weeknight but exciting enough to break the dinner rut.

Korean Beef Bowls – A fast, family-favorite dinner with sweet-savory ground beef, jasmine rice, and scallions, all done in under 30 minutes.

Easy Chicken Pad Thai – A quick and flavorful stir-fry with tender chicken, rice noodles, and a tangy-sweet sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a weeknight favorite.

Hibachi Style Fried Rice – Packed with chicken, fresh vegetables, and savory seasonings, this fried rice will have you kicking the takeout habit.

Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sesame Noodles – Tender grilled chicken skewers paired with rich, nutty noodles packed with bold Thai-inspired flavors.

Orange Peel Chicken – Crispy bites of chicken tossed in a sticky, citrusy orange glaze—like your favorite takeout, but better at home.

Pork Egg Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce – Crispy, savory pork egg rolls packed with fresh veggies and bold flavor, served with a tangy sweet and sour sauce.

Before You Get Started! If you whip up this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review and rating to let me know how it turned out. Your feedback helps keep the kitchen running and allows me to keep sharing free recipes with y’all!
PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion diced
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha optional
- 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts diced and drained
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce leaves separated and cleaned
Dipping Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 to 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce to taste
- ½ to 1 teaspoon Chinese hot mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon chili oil
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
Instructions
Make the Dipping Sauce
- Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, chili garlic sauce, hot mustard, and sliced green onions in a small bowl.3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 to 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, ½ to 1 teaspoon Chinese hot mustard, ⅛ teaspoon chili oil, 1 green onion
- Customize heat to taste:
- Mild: 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- Medium: ½ teaspoon hot mustard + 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- Hot: 1 teaspoon hot mustard + 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- Set aside for serving.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Add ground chicken and cook, stirring and breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes.1 pound ground chicken
- Drain excess fat from the skillet.
Build the Sauce and Aromatics
- Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, grated ginger, and Sriracha (if using).3 cloves garlic, 1 small onion, ¼ cup hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger, 1 tablespoon Sriracha
Add Crunch and Finish the Filling
- 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, 2 green onions
- Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, just until heated through and slightly tender.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Assemble and Serve
- Spoon the hot chicken filling into individual lettuce leaves.
- Serve taco-style, allowing each person to build their own wrap.
- Offer dipping sauce on the side for drizzling or dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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