When done right, chicken lettuce wraps don’t feel like a substitute for something heavier—they’re packed with enough boldness to stand on their own!
Bobby Flay’s version does exactly that, combining heat, sweetness, and crunch for the right balance.
A splash of rice vinegar sharpens the overall taste, keeping it from feeling too rich.
I always set out extra toppings like chopped cashews and scallions so everyone can adjust to their own liking.
One thing to keep in mind is drying the lettuce leaves thoroughly before filling them—too much moisture makes them fall apart.
How to Make Bobby Flay Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast (diced)
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Ginger (minced)
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Water Chestnuts (chopped)
- 3 Green Onions (sliced)
- 1/4 cup Peanuts (chopped)
- 6 large Butter Lettuce Leaves
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
This will be your sauce base.
Set it aside for now.
Step 2:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the diced chicken breast.
Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3:
Add the chopped red bell pepper and water chestnuts to the skillet with the chicken.
Stir to combine and let them cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 4:
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
Stir well to coat everything evenly.
Let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
Step 5:
Turn off the heat and mix in the sliced green onions and chopped peanuts.
Serve the mixture in butter lettuce leaves.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Recipe
Choose Fresh Ingredients
Invest time in picking fresh ingredients as they greatly enhance the flavors of your wraps.
Using fresh ginger and garlic can make a noticeable difference in taste.
Adjust the Sauce
Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce and hoisin sauce based on your preference for saltiness or sweetness.
Taste your sauce and adjust accordingly before adding it to the chicken.
Chop Evenly
Take care to chop all ingredients evenly to ensure a consistent texture throughout your wraps.
Toast the Peanuts
Toasting the peanuts enhances their flavor and provides a richer crunch.
A quick toast in a dry pan works wonders for their taste.
Enjoy Immediately
These wraps are best enjoyed fresh while the lettuce is crisp.
Make sure to serve them as soon as they are ready for the best texture and flavor.
What to Serve with Bobby Flay Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Asian Slaw
You might want to try pairing your chicken lettuce wraps with some crunchy and colorful Asian slaw.
This vibrant side dish is made with a mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions.
Toss it with a light sesame-ginger dressing for an extra flavor dimension.
Steamed Dumplings
Another excellent option to serve is steamed dumplings, a classic and flavorful companion.
They bring a contrasting texture and are delicious dipped in soy sauce.
Whether you buy them pre-made or make them from scratch, they are sure to complement the lettuce wraps perfectly.
Cucumber Salad
For something fresh, you can make a cucumber salad with thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a hint of sesame oil.
The coolness of the cucumbers balances well with the savory chicken.
It’s simple to prepare and adds a refreshing element to the meal.
Sweet Potato Fries
A fun and unexpected choice could be serving sweet potato fries alongside the wraps.
Their natural sweetness adds a surprising contrast to the savory chicken.
They are easy to make and can be baked or air-fried for a healthier twist.
Grilled Corn Salad
If you’re in the mood for something different, a grilled corn salad might do the trick.
Grilled corn kernels mixed with cherry tomatoes, avocado, and lime dressing provide a burst of fresh flavors.
It’s a little outside the traditional pairings, but it works beautifully!
Variations and Substitutions
Different Proteins
You can easily swap the ground chicken for ground turkey or ground pork.
These options offer a slightly different flavor profile but work just as well.
When you’re feeling adventurous, try finely chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian twist!
Spice Levels
Anyone who prefers less heat can skip the sriracha sauce.
Alternatively, a mild chili sauce offers the same delicious flavor without turning up the heat too much.
Lettuce Options
Butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce are both excellent choices with their rounded leaves, perfect for holding all that tasty filling.
They’re flexible and easy to handle!
Extras
Sprinkling unsalted cashews provides a wonderful crunch on top of your wraps.
A touch of freshly chopped cilantro adds freshness and brightness to the filling.
Both add interesting textures and flavors that you’ll love trying.
How to Store Leftover Bobby Flay Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Use an Airtight Container
When you’re stashing away those savory wraps, make sure to use a good airtight container.
This keeps them fresh and prevents any sauce from leaking out into your fridge.
You want them to taste as awesome the next day!
Refrigerate Promptly
After enjoying your meal, hustle to get those leftovers into the fridge within two hours.
This helps maintain the quality and safety of the chicken.
Giving too much time can lead to unwanted bacteria growth.
Separate Components If Possible
If there’s a chance, store the chicken, sauces, and lettuce separately.
This is a neat trick to keep the lettuce crisp and crunchy.
When you’re ready to eat again, just assemble them anew for that fresh taste!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect Ingredient Selection
Make sure you have fresh ingredients to keep the flavors vibrant.
Don’t substitute key ingredients like hoisin or soy sauce, as this changes the entire taste.
Improper Rolling Techniques
When rolling the wraps, be gentle to avoid tearing the lettuce leaves.
Use large, intact leaves of butter or iceberg lettuce for easier wrapping.
Inadequate Storage
Serve your lettuce wraps right after preparing to maintain freshness.
Storing them too long can lead to soggy lettuce, which nobody wants.

Bobby Flay Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breast diced
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp Ginger minced
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup Water Chestnuts chopped
- 3 Green Onions sliced
- 1/4 cup Peanuts chopped
- 6 large Butter Lettuce Leaves
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- This will be your sauce base.
- Set it aside for now.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the diced chicken breast.
- Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the chopped red bell pepper and water chestnuts to the skillet with the chicken.
- Stir to combine and let them cook for about 3 minutes.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
- Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the sliced green onions and chopped peanuts.
- Serve the mixture in butter lettuce leaves.