In general I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants, but there are a few places where I’ll go for one dish in particular.
Like PF Chang’s for their Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
It doesn’t get much better than spicy/sweet chicken wrapped up in crunchy lettuce leaves; the flavor is a great balance, and the crunch factor is perfect. Plus, this dish comes together in 20 minutes, which is less time than it usually takes me to find a parking spot at the mall where PF Chang’s is.
Another great thing about making a restaurant copycat recipe is that you can customize it to suit your tastes. Maybe you don’t like it spicy…or maybe you like it fiery hot. Or maybe (if you’re like me!) you like it on the saucy side (if so, just add another tablespoon or so of hoisin sauce). This is sure to be your favorite version of this dish because you can make it exactly how you like it.
Sorry PF Chang’s, but the homemade version is so good I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon. ;)
(This recipe was inspired by PF Chang’s recipe for Ginger-Chicken Stir-Fry Romaine Wraps with Citrus Soy.)
- 2 tablespoons light sesame oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3½ oz (100 g) shiitake mushrooms, chopped
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed or grated on a microplane
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated on a microplane
- 5 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 to 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, such as Sriracha (more or less to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (8 oz/226 g) can sliced water chestnuts, rinsed, drained, and coarsely chopped
- 4 scallions, green and white parts, thinly sliced
- 1 head Bibb, Romaine, or Iceberg lettuce (I used Bibb, which is also called butter lettuce)
- Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat; once hot, add the onion and mushrooms and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chicken and garlic and cook until the chicken is fully cooked (until there isn’t any pink), about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add the ginger, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch slurry, chili garlic sauce, black pepper, and water chestnuts; cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a serving dish and sprinkle the scallion on top. Serve along with lettuce leaves to wrap the chicken in.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
January 12, 2015 at 9:41 amSo tasty! A wonderfully light dish.
Cheers,
Rosa
Julia says
January 12, 2015 at 9:47 amOooof these lettuce wraps look awesome! I’ve never had PF Chnag’s version, so I’m happy to skip right to your recipe. Looks like such a great meal to whip up any night of the week!
Erica says
January 12, 2015 at 11:07 amLOVE hoisin! And I love it extra saucy too :) This sounds great! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at PF changs…and we have one super close to our house too!
Lori R. says
January 12, 2015 at 11:12 amI haven’t been to a PF Chang’s in years, but I do remember these! So good! I can’t wait to give them a try. I have no doubt that yours will be even better than the real thing!
Barbara says
January 12, 2015 at 3:35 pmI learned to love these back in the 80’s, in Paris, when my daughter was living there. We have a restaurant locally that does them well (and I’ve introduced everyone I know to them), but I’ve never tried them at home. Never have tried them at Chang’s either, but I don’t go there often. Your recipe looks delicious and so beautifully photographed, which I’ve come to expect from you!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
January 12, 2015 at 6:45 pmLove this Faith and the photos are beautiful! I also am not a big fan of chain restaurants (except for Chipotle!!) but love these lettuce wraps. Printing this off :)
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
January 12, 2015 at 7:35 pmI love lettuce wraps, these look so good!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
January 13, 2015 at 1:08 pmI love lettuce wraps and can’t think of a better thing to wrap with them than this sweet and spicy goodness!