Don’t you just hate those nights when you need dinner on the table *fast*, but you’re trying to keep things light and healthy? I know I do! That’s why I lean so heavily on flavor-packed recipes that disappear in minutes. My Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps are the answer to those frantic weekday evenings. They are unbelievably light, yet they pack such a protein punch to keep you satisfied.
I’m Lilya, and here at Top Chicken Eats, we believe that simple, soulful cooking should never require an all-night affair in the kitchen. This peanut-sauce chicken filling proves you can whip up something fresh and absolutely bursting with flavor—a true keeper for any low carb diet—in less time than it takes to decide on takeout. If you want to know more about how I bring my family’s approach to comfort food into modern health life, check out my story on the About Page. Let’s get wrapping!
Why These Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps Are Your New Weeknight Favorite
I hear you—the struggle for quick, delicious, low-carb food is real! But trust me, these wraps solve that problem immediately. They are ridiculously fast because the total time comes in right around 22 minutes. That’s less time than delivery takes!
- They are super high in protein, thanks to all that chicken, making them incredibly filling.
- Perfect for keeping things light; they fit right into keto or other low carb lifestyles without feeling like you’re missing out.
- The peanut sauce gives you that bold, comforting flavor we love, but in a super fresh package. If you’re looking for other great easy things to get on the table, you’ll love how fuss-free this recipe is!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Okay, now for the fun part—getting everything set up! Since this recipe comes together so quickly on the stovetop, we want to have everything prepped right next to the range. This is what I call my ‘mise en place,’ and it saves you from scrambling when that chicken starts browning! We’ve broken the list down into three easy groups, so grab your cutting board and let’s get organized. You can find even more easy savory recipe ideas inspiration over on the site, but honestly, these simple ingredients pack a huge flavor wallop.
For the Chicken and Cooking Base
We’re using chicken breast here, and the way you cut it matters for even cooking and that great texture. Don’t skip the fresh ginger and garlic—that combination is where the magic starts!
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
- Salt and pepper, just to taste
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (I use this because it handles the high heat beautifully)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
Crafting the Low Carb Peanut Sauce
This is our sauce base, and it’s crucial that you whisk this all together in a separate bowl first. If you try to add the peanut butter directly to the hot pan, you’ll end up with clumps, and we don’t want that! We need smooth, saucy goodness.
- 0.25 cup unsweetened peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos (our low-carb soy sauce stand-in!)
- 2 tablespoons Swerve confectioners (make sure it’s the powdered kind!)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
Assembly and Garnish for Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
For the wraps themselves, we want crisp lettuce cups. The butter lettuce holds up really well without tearing. And don’t skimp on the garnish; those little toppings are what make the filling pop!
- 16 Butter lettuce leaves (make sure they look healthy and crisp!)
- Garnish (to taste): chopped green onions, peanuts or sesame seeds, and diced red bell pepper.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This recipe moves fast, so have your skillet ready! The goal here is to multitask: cook the chicken, mix the sauce, and then bring them together quickly. You want the filling warm and delicious, not sitting around getting soggy while you wash dishes. For those who want to skip the stovetop entirely sometimes, check out my tips for air fryer chicken recipes—though this stove method gives the best sauce texture!
Preparing the Chicken
First things first, take those seasoned chicken strips and sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper. Get your large skillet warmed up over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Once that oil shimmers just a little, toss in your chicken. You want to cook this for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s beautifully browned and cooked all the way through. Right at the end—and this is important!—toss in the minced ginger and garlic. Give it just about 60 seconds or so until you can really smell the aroma. Be careful not to let these bits burn, or the whole thing will taste bitter!
Making the Sauce While Cooking
While the chicken is getting happy in the pan, jump over to your separate bowl. This is where you maximize your 6 minutes! Whisk together every single ingredient for the peanut sauce: the peanut butter, the coconut aminos, the Swerve, lime juice, and rice wine vinegar. Keep mixing until it looks as smooth as you can get it. Trust me, doing this now means when the chicken is ready, the next step is seamless.
Combining and Thickening the Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps Filling
Once the garlic and ginger are fragrant, pour in that chicken broth and use your spoon to scrape up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet—that’s pure flavor, friend! Lower the heat just a touch to medium-low, then pour in your pre-mixed peanut butter sauce. Stir it all until everything is coated. Now we just let it simmer gently for about 6 minutes. You’ll notice it starting to cling to the chicken beautifully; that means the sauce is thickening up perfectly for your finished High Protein Low Carb Dinner.
Assembling Your High Protein Low Carb Dinner
The final moment! Turn off the heat. Take a clean, crisp butter lettuce leaf and spoon a generous amount of that warm chicken filling right into the center. Don’t overstuff it, or it’ll burst! Sprinkle those chopped green onions, maybe a few sesame seeds or peanuts, and a dash of red pepper for color over the top. You’ve just made a fantastic High Protein Low Carb Meal in under 25 minutes. Enjoy them right away!
Tips for Success Making Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Even though this recipe is straightforward, I’ve picked up a few kitchen tricks over the years to make sure your wraps come out absolutely perfect every time. Don’t let a sticky sauce or wilted leaves ruin your beautiful dinner! These little pointers from my kitchen to yours will make baking these feel easy and intuitive.
First, let’s talk sauce consistency. If your sauce seems too thick once you add the chicken broth, don’t panic! Just whisk in another tablespoon of broth or water until it coats the chicken nicely without globbing on too heavily. Remember, it’s going to thicken more as it simmers. If it’s too thin after simmering for 6 minutes, just let it hang out on low heat for another minute or two—no need to add thickeners, we want to keep these Low Carb Healthy Meals clean!
The lettuce choice is also huge. Butter lettuce is my go-to because the leaves are flexible and cup the filling perfectly. If you can’t find butter lettuce, try romaine hearts or even iceberg, but you might need to use two leaves per serving for stability. Wash those leaves gently, dry them thoroughly, and keep them cold right up until serving time. Nobody wants a floppy wrap, right? For more great, quick ideas, you can browse my collection of easy snacks and small bites where presentation is almost as important as taste.
Also, when cooking the chicken strips, make sure you don’t overcrowd your skillet. If you try to crowd too much chicken in there at once, it steams instead of searing, and you won’t get those lovely browned edges we need for depth of flavor. If you have a big batch, just cook it in two rounds. It takes an extra three minutes, but it makes all the difference in achieving these phenomenal Keto High Protein Meals!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I always get questions when I share this recipe because folks want ideas on how to tweak it for what they have in the pantry, or maybe they’re trying to stick super close to keto guidelines. Making substitutions is totally fine, but you just need to know what you’re swapping out so you don’t accidentally add hidden carbs!
For example, the peanut butter. If you can’t find unsweetened peanut butter—or if you happen to be dealing with a nut allergy—you can absolutely substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter in a pinch. Just make sure whatever you use doesn’t have added sugar lurking in the ingredient list. We’re aiming for clean eating here, even when we’re pulling together a quick High Protein Low Carb Dinner.
Now, let’s talk about the sauce magic. The coconut aminos are critical because they give us that salty, slightly sweet, umami depth without the soy or the standard carbs found in traditional soy sauce. If you aren’t strictly keto and just aiming for low carb, you can swap that out for tamari or even regular soy sauce, but watch your carb count!
The sweetener, Swerve confectioners, is a great zero-carb option. If you don’t have Swerve, any reliable monk fruit blend or erythritol crystalline sweetener will work similarly to create that necessary balance against the dark coconut aminos. Remember, we need that sweetness to make the peanut sauce taste authentic!
Finally, if you want to try ground chicken instead of strips, that works too! Just use about a pound and a half of ground chicken, cook it until it’s totally browned, and then drain off most of the liquid before adding your broth and sauce. It cooks even faster, which is great for those evenings when you’re racing the clock toward serving these fantastic Quick Low Carb Dinner options. For any liability questions regarding ingredient changes, you can always peek at my official disclaimer page.
Serving Suggestions for Your Keto High Protein Meals
Okay, we’ve got the star of the show—the filling! But what do you serve alongside these incredible Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps to make it a full meal? Because we’re keeping things light and focusing on high protein, we want sides that are crisp, fresh, and don’t weigh down that wonderful peanut sauce flavor we worked so hard on.
I rarely serve these with anything complicated on the side. Remember, these lettuce wraps are already so satisfying; they don’t need heavy starches or grains. They slide perfectly into any Keto Dinner Recipes plan because they’re naturally low in carbs. I usually aim for contrast!
Think cool and crunchy! A simple side salad tossed with a light vinaigrette—maybe some mixed greens, cucumber, and celery—is always a winner. The acidity cuts right through the richness of the peanut flavor. For something extra exciting, try serving them alongside quick-pickled carrots or radishes. They add a fantastic zing and crunch that complements the texture of the chicken filling beautifully.
If you are low on time but still want a veggie boost, steam some broccoli or snap peas quickly and toss them with a tiny bit of sesame oil and salt. It keeps things super easy, high protein, and maintains that fresh, clean eating vibe we love. Plus, if you’re looking for more ideas on how to keep the mornings light too, check out my favorite keto breakfast recipes!
Storage and Reheating Low Carb Healthy Meals
It’s rare that these Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps last long around my house, but when they do, storage is easy! Just make sure you keep the delicious chicken filling separate from the butter lettuce leaves. If you store them together, those crisp leaves will wilt fast, and we hate soggy lettuce!
Store the filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days—it reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stove. When you’re ready to eat, just rewarm the chicken and scoop it into a fresh, cold lettuce cup. If you need to reach out for any recipe questions, you can always find my contact info here!
Frequently Asked Questions About Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I always love hearing from you all about how you’re adapting my recipes! It’s part of what makes cooking together here at Top Chicken Eats so much fun. Let’s tackle a few of the most common questions I get about turning these into the perfect Keto High Protein Meals for your busy schedule.
Can I prepare the filling for these Low Carb Dinner Ideas ahead of time?
Oh yes, you absolutely can! This is one of my favorite tricks for super-fast lunches. You can cook the entire chicken and sauce mixture, let it cool completely, and store it airtight in the fridge for up to four days. Those Low Carb Dinner Ideas are ready when you are! Just keep in mind that when you reheat it, the sauce might thicken up quite a bit, so you may need to stir in a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it back up before scooping into your fresh lettuce cups.
What is the best lettuce for these Easy High Protein Low Carb Meals?
My first choice, hands down, is butter lettuce. It’s tender, the leaves cup beautifully, and they don’t fight you when you’re trying to wrap everything up. However, if you’re making a big batch of these Easy High Protein Low Carb Meals and need volume, romaine hearts are fantastic! Just use the inner, lighter leaves, as they are the most tender. Iceberg works in a pinch if you want that super loud crunch, but they tear much easier, so you might need two leaves per serving.
How can I boost the spice level in this High Protein Dinner Idea?
If you like things with a little kick, you are in luck! The base recipe has a lovely warmth from the ginger, but it’s not inherently spicy. You have a couple of ways to fix that! The easiest way is to mix a teaspoon or two of sriracha directly into that peanut sauce mixture we whisked together. If you want a slow, mellow heat that blooms while you eat the wrap, try mixing in some red pepper flakes during that final simmer phase. Either way, it keeps this High Protein Dinner Idea perfectly Keto-friendly!
If you’re ever looking for easy lunch ideas that can handle a little heat change, this recipe is amazing for meal prepping!
Nutritional Estimate for Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Now, I know many of you come here because you’re watching your macros, whether you’re doing keto or just keeping things low carb and high protein. I always want to be upfront about the numbers because understanding what you’re eating is part of soulful cooking!
Keep in mind that this is my best estimate based on the exact ingredients and portion sizes listed above for four servings. If you use more broth, or maybe a different type of peanut butter, your personal numbers will shift a bit. This is just a helpful guide to show you why this recipe is such a powerhouse for your High Protein Recipes Dinner goals!
The good news is that since we skipped the wraps and used lettuce, those net carbs stay wonderfully low. When I run the numbers for one serving (which equals four lettuce cups), here is what I usually see:
- Calories: Roughly 380-400 calories
- Fat: Around 22 grams (mostly from the peanut butter and avocado oil)
- Protein: A whopping 38 grams! That’s why this is such a great high protein recipe!
- Net Carbs: Generally sitting between 6 to 8 grams per serving.
See? That’s fantastic for a satisfying, warm dinner that keeps you within your daily goals. It proves that Healthy High Protein Recipes don’t have to taste boring or feel restrictive!
Low Carb Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper.
- Add the avocado oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes.
- Add the ginger and garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 more minute.
- While the chicken cooks, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut aminos, Swerve, lime juice, and rice wine vinegar in a separate bowl.
- Add the chicken broth to the pan with the chicken and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and add the peanut butter sauce to the skillet.
- Simmer for about 6 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Divide the chicken mixture between the lettuce leaves. Garnish with your desired toppings.