Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, known affectionately as “TCLW” for short, are a vibrant and flavorful dish that blends the best of traditional Thai ingredients with modern health-conscious principles. This version, styled specifically to be keto-friendly, offers a satisfying alternative for those wanting a low-carb dining experience without sacrificing the bold, rich flavors characteristic of Southeast Asian cuisine.
The origin of lettuce wraps is rooted in several Asian cultures, especially Chinese and Thai cuisine, where ingredients are often wrapped in vegetables for easy, fresh bites. While Chinese versions (like the popular P.F. Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps) are well-known in the West, Thai lettuce wraps distinguish themselves through bolder ingredients like fish sauce, spicy chilies, citrusy lime, and fragrant herbs such as cilantro and Thai basil. The dish also reflects the Thai culinary philosophy of balancing sweet, salty, sour, and spicy elements—all of which are present in this recipe.
This particular version of the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap is designed with accessibility, dietary needs, and modern palates in mind. The use of ground chicken keeps the meat lean and quick to cook, while almond butter replaces the traditional peanut sauce to cater to those avoiding legumes, either for keto or allergy reasons. Almond butter, paired with soy sauce and garlic, offers a savory, umami-packed sauce base that clings beautifully to the chicken mince.
Ginger and garlic lend the warming and aromatic base that is essential in any Thai-inspired dish, while sriracha and red pepper flakes add a kick of heat for spice lovers. The use of romaine leaves instead of the more traditional iceberg or butter lettuce gives the wraps extra crunch and structure, enhancing their textural contrast and making them easier to pick up and enjoy.
One of the best parts about these wraps is their ability to appeal to a wide spectrum of eaters. They’re gluten-free (as long as you use tamari or coconut aminos), dairy-free (if you swap the butter for a keto-friendly oil), grain-free, and keto-approved for those watching their carbohydrate intake. Beyond that, the fresh garnishes—chopped scallions, cilantro, red pepper, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a spritz of lime—create a beautiful and mouthwatering presentation that enhances the dish’s freshness.
In a world that increasingly values both health and flavor, this dish hits the bullseye. As more communities embrace keto, paleo, and other clean-eating lifestyles, recipes like these Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are more important than ever. They allow us to explore world cuisines while honoring dietary preferences, all without losing that essential love of cooking and sharing flavorful food.
Whether served as a quick lunch, an appetizer at a dinner party, or a weeknight main course, these wraps are easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and endlessly customizable. Once you take that first bold, crunchy, spicy bite, you’ll understand why they continue to win hearts around the table.
Yummy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken (minced chicken)- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic - chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger - grated
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt (pink salt)
- 1 handful Romaine lettuce
- 2 sprigs green onions (scallions or green shallots) - chopped
- 1 tablespoon cilantro (coriander) - chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper (red capsicum) - sliced
- 3 drizzles sesame oil
- 1 medium lime wedges
Instructions
- In a skillet, combine all ingredients except for garnishes.
- Simmer on low/medium until chicken is fully cooked.
- Use lettuce leaves as wraps and add filling to the centre. Top with cilantro, green onion, red pepper, sesame oil and a lime wedge.
