Slow Cooker Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Easy Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wraps make an easy, low carb meal that is packed with flavor. These are made with lean ground chicken and mushrooms cooked in this delicious hoisin-based sauce.

Wrap them up in crunchy lettuce, add carrots and cilantro, and you've got a great appetizer or meal.

You'd think by now we'd have slow-cooked it all, but there is always something new on the horizon. Although lettuce wraps are a quick and easy meal in a skillet, cooking them in the slow cooker creates this deep, rich flavor that is hard to beat. It's a meal I normally wouldn't think to throw in the crockpot, but the results are just so good. 

For those wondering, these lettuce wraps are inspired by the famous PF Chang's lettuce wraps and have all the same goodies. There are savory mushrooms, crunchy water chestnuts, and a sauce you will want to lick off the plate.

Then add crunchy carrots, cilantro, and some crushed peanuts to really make it taste like the restaurant version. The only thing I leave off is the crispy noodles, which could easily be added. 

This recipe for slow cooker chicken is a balance of spicy and savory Asian flavors. It has a tad of sweetness from the bell peppers and carrots, but overall it's a savory, slightly spicy dish that I think you'll love to try on lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas, or right out of a bowl!

Where do lettuce wraps come from?

Silly me, I always thought lettuce wraps were invented by someone who was trying not to eat bread. However, that's not true at all. Lettuce wraps apparently originated in China, and have also been spotted on menus and in homes all over Southeast Asia, Laos, and Thailand.

Lettuce wraps are a fun way to get some satisfying crunch with your meal, are low carb, and also great in a pinch when you might be out of tortillas and don't want to run to the store!

What kind of lettuce is used for lettuce wraps?

The best kind of lettuce for lettuce wraps is larger leaves that look kind of bowl-ish, or can be shaped over other ingredients to be picked up by hand to eat.

For this recipe, I used butter lettuce, but you could also use iceberg (the crunchiest), or you could use larger leaves of green or red leaf or romaine.

How do you make Slow Cooker Chicken Lettuce Wraps?

Don't let the ingredients list scare you, this recipe is so easy to make!

First, heat the sesame oil over medium high heat, then add the ground chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until it's cooked through. Be sure to break up the meat as it cooks. Next, add the green onions, garlic, and ginger and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.

In a small bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili paste.

Now add the chicken to the slow cooker, then add the mushrooms, red bell pepper, and carrots. Pour the sauce over the top and stir. Set the slow cooker to cook on low for 3-4 hours.

When everything is done cooking, mix in the water chestnuts and serve in lettuce wraps. Great toppings for these lettuce wraps include cilantro, green onions, and crushed peanuts.

Tips for making this recipe

• If your sauce is too thin, you can add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch slurry (equal parts water/broth to cornstarch) to the slow cooker to thicken the sauce.
• Some great add-ins to the chicken include peas, sliced snow or sugar snap peas, and bean sprouts.
• Use tongs to grab the chicken and put it on the wraps if it's still too juicy even after making a slurry.
• You can refrigerate this chicken for up to 3 days or put it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Will you be trying these lettuce wraps? Let me know!

Can this be made with ground turkey?

These chicken lettuce wraps can be made with ground chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, ground pork, or any combination of those ingredients. They also come out great with vegetarian meatless crumbles for a vegetarian option.

What are the best toppings for lettuce wraps?

There are so many different options when it comes to topping chicken lettuce wraps. Here are what is usually on my table:

• Fresh herbs: This is a must since it adds freshness and brightness to the dish. Consider cilantro, basil, mint, or a combination of the three.
• Nuts: To add some crunch, chopped nuts are a great addition to lettuce wraps. Cashews, peanuts, and almonds are my favorite options.
• Fresh veggies: To add another crunchy texture to the wraps, add some fresh veggies on the side. Consider using shredded carrots, bean sprouts, diced cucumbers, sliced jalapenos, or edamame.
• Make it more filling: Add cooked brown rice, cooked rice or soba noodles, or quinoa as well. This is a great way to incorporate some whole grains and make a more filling dish. 

Can these be made on the stovetop? 

Absolutely! Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Add the mushrooms, cucumbers, and red onions to the pan. Cook until just tender. Add the chicken and sauce back to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes to thicken. This 15 minute Chicken Lettuce Wrap recipe is another option as well.

More Lettuce Wrap Recipes

• Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
• Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
• Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps