Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Are you tired of the same boring dinners? Do you crave a meal that is packed with flavor, refreshingly light, and utterly satisfying? If so, these Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps are about to become your new favorite! Imagine tender chicken coated in a delicious honey-garlic sauce, all wrapped in crisp, cool lettuce cups. It’s an explosion of textures and flavors that is not only incredibly-tasty but also surprisingly easy to prepare and healthy for you.

This honey chicken lettuce wraps recipe is inspired by popular restaurant versions but with a wholesome twist. We’re focusing on clean ingredients, lean protein, and a sauce that’s balanced in flavor without relying on excessive sugar or unhealthy fats. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a light lunch, or even as an impressive appetizer for guests, these wraps are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready to discover why this might just be the best healthy chicken lettuce wraps recipe you’ve ever tried!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Healthy Honey Chicken Wraps!

• Incredibly Flavorful: The homemade honey garlic ginger sauce is the star, offering a perfect-balance of sweet, savory, and umami notes.
• Quick & Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Healthy & Light: Packed with lean protein from chicken and fresh veggies, served in low-carb lettuce cups. A fantastic low-carb chicken lettuce wraps option.
• Customizable: Easily-adaptable to your taste preferences or dietary needs. Add more spice, different veggies, or even swap the protein.
• Family-Friendly: The delicious sauce and fun “build-your-own” style make it a hit with both adults and kids.
• Meal Prep Champion: The chicken filling can be made ahead, making assembly even quicker during the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Let’s break down what you’ll need. We’re focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients.

The Honey Chicken Filling:

• Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken-breasts or thighs, finely diced or ground chicken. (Ground chicken makes for an authentic texture and is super easy!)
• Avocado Oil or Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for sautéing.
• Onion: 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped.
• Garlic: 3-4 cloves, minced.
• Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon, freshly grated.
• Carrots: 1 medium carrot, finely diced or shredded.
• Water Chestnuts: 1 can (8 oz), drained and finely chopped (adds a lovely crunch!).
• Green Onions: 3-4, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated).

For the Healthy Honey Garlic Sauce:

• Low-Sodium Soy-Sauce or Tamari: 1/3 cup (use Tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free).
• Honey: 1/4 cup (adjust to taste; for a lower sugar option, you can try a good quality sugar-free honey alternative, but pure honey offers the best classic flavor).
• Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons (unseasoned).
• Sesame Oil: 01 teaspoon (toasted sesame oil for best flavor).
• Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Starch): 1 teaspoon, mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water to create a slurry (for thickening).
• Red-Pepper Flakes: 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for a touch of heat).

For Serving (Lettuce Wraps & Garnish):

• Lettuce: 1-2 heads of Butter lettuce, Romaine hearts, or Iceberg lettuce (separated into cups).
• Optional Garnishes: Extra sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, or a drizzle of sriracha for extra spice.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

• Chicken: Ground chicken is highly recommended for the classic texture, but finely diced chicken breast or thighs work wonderfully. Ground turkey is also a great lean alternative.
• Soy Sauce: Using low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness. For a gluten-free option, Tamari or coconut aminos are excellent substitutes.
• Honey: The quality of honey matters. Raw, unfiltered honey often has a more robust flavor. If you’re strictly watching sugar, explore monk fruit-based liquid sweeteners, but be mindful that the flavor profile will change.
• Veggies: Feel free to add other finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers (any color), mushrooms, or celery.
• Spice Level: Adjust the red-pepper flakes to your preference. You can also add a dash of-sriracha or your favorite chili garlic sauce to the main sauce mixture.

Essential Equipment

• Large Skillet or Wok
• Sharp Knife & Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Small Bowl (for sauce)
• Whisk

How to Make Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Step-by-Step)

This easy chicken lettuce wraps recipe comes together in a flash!

1. Prepare the Ingredients (Mise en Place):

• If using chicken breast/thighs, dice them into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch). If using ground chicken, no prep needed here.
• Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Dice or shred the carrot. Drain and chop the water chestnuts. Slice the green onions, keeping white/light green parts separate from the dark green tops.
• Wash and carefully separate the lettuce leaves into cup shapes. Pat them dry and set aside.

2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• In a small-bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy-sauce (or Tamari/coconut aminos), honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
• In a separate tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken & Aromatics:

• Heat the avocado-oil (or olive oil) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• If using diced chicken, add it to the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). If using ground chicken, add it to the skillet, break it-apart with a spoon, and cook until-browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
• Add the chopped-onion to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
• Stir in the minced-garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another minute until-fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

4. Add Vegetables & Sauce:

• Add the diced/shredded carrots, chopped water chestnuts, and the white/light green parts of the green onions to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the carrots are slightly tender-crisp.
• Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Bring to a simmer, stirring to combine-everything well.
• Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the simmering sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 01-02 minutes, until the sauce has thickened-slightly and coats the chicken mixture nicely.

5. Assemble and Serve:

• Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in most of the dark-green parts of the sliced green onions, reserving some for garnish.
• To serve, provide the platter of crisp lettuce cups and the bowl of warm honey chicken filling. Allow everyone to spoon the filling into their lettuce cups.
• Garnish with reserved green-onions, sesame seeds, and any other desired toppings. Enjoy your homemade healthy honey chicken lettuce wraps immediately!

Tips for the Best Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If doubling the recipe, cook the chicken in-batches to ensure it browns properly rather than steams.
• Finely Dice Ingredients: Smaller pieces of chicken and vegetables ensure they cook quickly and evenly, and make the filling easier to eat in lettuce cups.
• Prep Ahead: Chop all your vegetables and mix the sauce ingredients a day in advance. Store them in airtight-containers in the refrigerator. This makes cooking time even faster!
• Adjust Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too-thick, add a tablespoon of water or chicken-broth. If too thin, let it simmer a bit longer or add a tiny bit more cornstarch slurry (ensure it’s fully cooked out).
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste the filling before serving. You might want a little more honey for sweetness, soy sauce for saltiness, or rice vinegar for tang.
• Keep Lettuce Crisp: Store lettuce leaves in a container with a damp-paper towel until ready to serve to maintain their crispness.

Delicious Variations & Customizations

One of the best things about this healthy ground chicken honey lettuce wraps recipe (if you go the ground chicken route!) is its versatility:

• Spicy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or chili-garlic sauce to the sauce mixture. You can also add finely diced jalapeño with the onions.
• Extra Veggie Power: Bulk it up with finely chopped mushrooms, bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), celery, or even finely shredded cabbage.
• Different Proteins: Try ground turkey for an even leaner option, or finely diced firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version (press tofu well and consider pan-frying it separately first for texture).
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle some chopped cashews or peanuts on top before serving (if no nut allergies).
• Lower Carb/Keto-Friendly: Ensure you’re using a sugar-free honey substitute, coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and be mindful of carrot quantity. Arrowroot starch is a good low-carb thickener.
• Make it a Bowl: Serve the honey chicken filling over cauliflower rice, quinoa, or brown rice for a heartier meal if you’re not in the mood for wraps.

What Makes These Lettuce Wraps Healthy?

Many people ask, “Are chicken lettuce wraps healthy?” The answer is a resounding-YES, especially when you make them at home with control over the ingredients! Here’s why this recipe fits the bill:

• Lean Protein: Chicken (especially breast or lean ground chicken) is a fantastic-source of protein, essential for muscle building and satiety.
• Lots of Vegetables: Onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, and water chestnuts provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Controlled Sauce: By making the sauce yourself, you control the amount of sodium (using low-sodium soy sauce) and sugar (adjusting honey). Many restaurant versions are loaded with both.
• Healthy Fats: Using avocado-oil or olive oil for cooking, and sesame oil for flavor, adds beneficial unsaturated fats.
• Low Carb Delivery: Lettuce cups are a naturally low-carb, low-calorie, and refreshing alternative to traditional wraps or buns, making these perfect for those watching their carbohydrate intake.

Choosing the Best Lettuce for Wraps

The type of lettuce you choose can make a big difference in your lettuce wrap experience! Here are some popular choices:

• Butter Lettuce (Boston or Bibb): This is often considered the gold standard. The leaves are soft, pliable, naturally cup-shaped, and have a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
• Romaine Hearts: The inner leaves of romaine are sturdier and offer a satisfying crunch. They form more of a boat shape than a cup.
• Iceberg Lettuce: Provides the ultimate crunch and a very refreshing, watery bite. It can be a bit more challenging to separate into perfect cups without tearing, but the crispness is unparalleled.

Tip: To easily separate lettuce leaves, cut off the core at the bottom of the lettuce head. Then, gently run cold water into the cored area; the leaves should start to separate more easily.

What to Serve with Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These wraps are quite a complete meal on their own, but if you’re looking to round it out, consider these simple sides:

• Steamed Brown or White Rice: A small portion on the side can make the meal more filling.
• Quinoa Salad: A light, fluffy quinoa salad with cucumber and herbs.
• Edamame: Steamed and lightly salted.
• Simple Cucumber Salad: Thinly sliced cucumbers with a light rice vinegar dressing.
• Fruit Salad: A refreshing mix of seasonal fruits for dessert.

Storage, Reheating & Meal Prep Instructions

• Storage: Store leftover honey chicken filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store washed and dried lettuce leaves separately in a container lined with paper towels.
• Reheating: Gently reheat the chicken filling in a skillet-over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Avoid overheating, which can dry out the chicken.
• Meal-Prep: This recipe is fantastic for meal prep!
  1. Cook the honey chicken filling completely and let it cool.
  2. Portion the filling into individual meal prep containers.
  3. Wash, dry, and store lettuce cups separately.
  4. When ready to eat, simply reheat the filling and assemble your wraps. This is a great way to enjoy healthy honey chicken lettuce wraps for dinner or lunch throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Bitty

Tender, savory-sweet chicken glazed in a delectable honey-garlic sauce, all nestled in crisp, cool lettuce cups. A healthy, quick, and customizable meal perfect for any occasion!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine asian

Servings 6

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large Skillet or Wok
• Sharp knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Small Bowl (for sauce)
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

For the Honey Chicken Filling:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (finely diced) OR ground chicken
• 1 tbsp avocado oil OR olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1 medium carrot finely diced or shredded
• 1 can 8 oz water chestnuts drained and finely chopped
• 3-4 green onions thinly sliced white and green parts separated

For the Healthy Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce OR Tamari for gluten-free
• 1/4 cup honey adjust to taste; see notes for sugar-free alternative
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar unseasoned
• 1 tsp sesame oil toasted sesame oil for best flavor
• 1 tsp cornstarch OR arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp cold water
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for a touch of heat

For Serving (Lettuce Wraps & Garnish):

• 1-2 heads Butter lettuce Romaine hearts, OR Iceberg lettuce (separated into cups)
• Optional garnishes: extra sliced green onions sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced radishes

Instructions

 

• Prep Ingredients: If using chicken breast/thighs, dice into small, uniform pieces (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch). If using ground chicken, no prep needed. Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Dice or shred the carrot. Drain and chop the water chestnuts. Slice the green onions, keeping white/light green parts separate from the dark green tops. Wash and carefully separate the lettuce leaves into cup shapes. Pat them dry and set aside.
• Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce (or Tamari/coconut aminos), honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). In a separate tiny bowl, mix the cornstarch (or arrowroot starch) with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a smooth slurry.
  
• Cook the Chicken & Aromatics: Heat the avocado oil (or olive oil) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. If using diced chicken, add and cook until lightly browned and cooked through (5-7 mins). If using ground chicken, add, break apart, and cook until browned (5-7 mins); drain excess fat if needed. Add chopped onion; cook 2-3 mins until softened. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger; cook 1 min until fragrant.
• Add Vegetables & Sauce: Add diced/shredded carrots, chopped water chestnuts, and the white/light green parts of the green onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until carrots are tender-crisp. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce mixture over. Bring to a simmer. Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the simmering sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
  
• Assemble and Serve: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in most of the dark green parts of green onions. Serve warm honey chicken filling with crisp lettuce cups. Garnish with reserved green onions, sesame seeds, and other desired toppings.
  

Notes

Chicken Choice: Ground chicken is highly recommended for texture, but finely diced chicken breast/thighs also work. Ground turkey is a great lean alternative.
Gluten-Free: Use Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free sauce.
Honey Alternative: For a lower sugar option, you can try a good quality sugar-free honey substitute (e.g., monk fruit-based liquid sweetener), but pure honey offers the best classic flavor. The flavor profile may change.
Don’t Overcrowd Pan: If doubling, cook chicken in batches for proper browning.
Finely Dice Ingredients: Ensures quick, even cooking and makes filling easier to eat.
Prep Ahead: Vegetables can be chopped and sauce mixed a day in advance; store separately in airtight containers in the fridge.
Storage: Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store lettuce separately.
Reheating: Gently reheat chicken filling in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
Best Lettuce: Butter lettuce (Boston/Bibb) is ideal. Romaine hearts or Iceberg also work well for a crunchier wrap.

Keyword Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Healthy Honey Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps