P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a lighter menu favorite that still delivers bold flavor and that unmistakable restaurant-style balance.
Photo by Li Tsin Soon
Copycat P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps with Chicken
P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps feature finely chopped chicken cooked in a savory sauce and spooned into crisp lettuce cups. They’re fresh, satisfying, and designed to be shared.
This recipe is all about balance. Keep the filling flavorful but not heavy, and let the lettuce provide contrast so every bite feels clean and intentional.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Appetizers, light dinners, entertaining, copycat favorites
- Flavor Profile: Savory, lightly sweet, umami-forward with subtle crunch
- Skill Level: Beginner friendly
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Finely chopped filling and a balanced sauce served in crisp lettuce cups
P.F. Chang’s
P.F. Chang’s helped introduce American diners to Chinese-inspired dishes in an approachable, upscale casual setting. The brand became known for bold flavors, dramatic presentations, and a menu built for sharing.
While entrées anchor the menu, appetizers like lettuce wraps became signature items that defined the P.F. Chang’s experience. They reflect the restaurant’s focus on balance, offering something lighter that still feels complete and memorable.
The Appetizer Everyone Orders
Chicken lettuce wraps sit at the intersection of Asian-inspired cooking and American casual dining. They emphasize texture and contrast rather than heaviness, pairing savory fillings with crisp greens.
This style works especially well for sharing plates. It feels interactive, customizable, and lighter than traditional starters, which is why it has become a recurring favorite across restaurant menus and home kitchens alike.
P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps with Chicken Recipe
Make our P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps with Chicken Recipe at home tonight for your family. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Lettuce Wraps will taste just like P.F. Chang’s.
Ingredients
- 16 Boston Bibb or Butter Lettuce Leaves
- 1 pound ground Chicken Breast
- 1 large Onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh Ginger
- 1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Asian Chili Pepper Sauce see Note Below
- 1 8- ounce can sliced water Chestnuts drained, finely chopped
- 1 bunch Green Onions thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons Asian Sesame Oil
Instructions
- Rinse lettuce leaves, keeping them whole. Set aside to drain.
- Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often to break up the meat.
- Add onion, garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar and chili sauce.
- Cook until the meat is crumbled and brown.
- Add water chestnuts and green onions.
- Cook until onions begin to wilt, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in sesame oil.
- Arrange lettuce leaves on the outer edge of a platter.
- Spoon meat mixture in center.
- Allow diners to spoon meat mixture into lettuce leaves and eat like a taco.
Asian chili pepper sauce can be found in the Asian section of most supermarkets. Some brands contain garlic, which is fine. You can use 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes instead.
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Questions People Ask
What kind of lettuce works best? Butter lettuce is the closest match because it’s sturdy yet tender and naturally cup-shaped.
Is this dish spicy? No. It’s savory with mild sweetness. Heat can be added separately if desired.
Can I make the filling ahead of time? Yes. Reheat gently and assemble with fresh lettuce just before serving.
Is this served as an appetizer or main dish? At the restaurant it’s an appetizer, but it can easily work as a light meal.
Can I substitute another protein? Yes. Ground turkey or pork work well with the same sauce base.
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Photo of P.F. Changs Lettuce Wraps with Chicken is by Li Tsin Soon – https://verylicio.us/ – and is used by permission under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) License. Photo of “P.F. Chang’s” is by Rob Corder and is used by permission under the Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0) Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/legalcode. Thank you, Li and Rob. Great Pictures. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is our adaption of several recipes formally widely-circulated on the internet – courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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It takes 10 seconds and helps other home cooks recreate a lighter restaurant favorite they already love.