Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

If you’re craving something light, refreshing, and full of flavor, these Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps are a perfect pick.

They’re crunchy, colorful, and packed with a delicious mix of textures, tender chicken to crisp veggies, and a tangy, nutty dressing ties everything together beautifully.

What makes this recipe special is that it’s healthy and satisfying at the same time. You can serve these wraps as a quick lunch, a weeknight dinner, or even a fun party appetizer.

Plus, they’re super customizable, so you can easily adjust the spice level or add more veggies depending on what you have on hand.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken Salad:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded cabbage (a mix of green and purple works great)
• 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned
• 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts (optional for crunch)
• 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and washed

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for a bit of heat)

Step-by-Step Guide to Make It

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

If you don’t already have cooked chicken on hand, you can easily make some by boiling or baking boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Boil them in lightly salted water for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked, then shred with two forks once cooled. For extra flavor, you can also use rotisserie chicken—just make sure it’s plain and unseasoned.

Step 2: Mix up the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, lime juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha. Give it a taste and adjust the balance as you like—add a bit more honey if you prefer it slightly sweeter or a splash more lime juice if you want it tangier. The dressing should be zesty, slightly nutty, and just a little spicy.

Step 3: Combine the salad ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and nuts (if using). Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated. The key here is to let the flavors mingle, so once mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 10–15 minutes. This short resting time really helps the dressing soak into the chicken and vegetables.

Step 4: Prepare the lettuce wraps

While the chicken salad chills, wash and dry your lettuce leaves. Butter lettuce is ideal because it’s soft and naturally forms a little cup shape, but iceberg or romaine leaves also work if you prefer something crunchier. Gently separate each leaf, pat them dry with a paper towel, and lay them out on a large serving platter.

Step 5: Assemble the wraps

Once your chicken salad has chilled, spoon a generous portion into each lettuce leaf. Try not to overfill them so they’re easy to wrap and eat. You can sprinkle a few extra nuts, sesame seeds, or chopped cilantro on top for garnish.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

Serve the wraps immediately while they’re crisp and fresh. These are best eaten by hand—fold the lettuce around the filling like a taco and take a big bite. The cool, crisp lettuce combined with the flavorful chicken salad is an amazing combination of texture and taste.

Tips and Variations

• Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken for firm tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based version.
  
• Add some crunch: Toss in thinly sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, or water chestnuts.
  
• Meal prep idea: Prepare the salad ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the lettuce separate until you’re ready to assemble the wraps so they stay crisp.
  
• Extra flavor boost: Drizzle a bit of peanut or tahini sauce on top before serving. It adds a creamy and rich contrast to the tangy dressing.

These Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps are one of those recipes that make healthy eating feel exciting. They’re colorful, packed with nutrients, and bursting with flavor. proof that eating light doesn’t have to mean eating boring.

Whether you’re making them for yourself or serving them to guests, they’re bound to impress with every crunchy, savory bite.

Do let me know if you try this recipe!