🌶🥬 Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Mediterranean-Inspired Balance)

These Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Wraps are fresh, flavorful, and perfectly satisfying. Juicy ground chicken is cooked with garlic, ginger, and colorful vegetables, then tossed in a creamy-spicy peanut sauce and wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves.

While inspired by Thai flavors, this version keeps Mediterranean principles in mind — lean protein, plenty of vegetables, healthy fats, and balanced portions.

Light, low-carb, and ready in about 25 minutes!

🌿 Why This Fits a Mediterranean-Style Approach

✔ Lean protein (chicken)
✔ Olive oil as primary fat
✔ Lots of fresh vegetables
✔ Naturally low in refined carbs
✔ Balanced healthy fats from peanuts

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken Filling

1 lb (450g) ground chicken
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
½ red bell pepper, finely diced
1 small carrot, grated
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha
Salt & black pepper to taste

For the Peanut Sauce

¼ cup natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1–2 tablespoons warm water (to thin)
Red pepper flakes (optional)

For Serving

12–16 large lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine)
Fresh cilantro
Chopped peanuts (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds.
Add ground chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until browned.

2️⃣ Add Vegetables & Seasoning

Stir in bell pepper, carrot, green onions, soy sauce, and chili paste.
Cook 2–3 more minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.

3️⃣ Make Peanut Sauce

Whisk together peanut butter, olive oil, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, and warm water until smooth.

4️⃣ Combine

Pour half the peanut sauce into the chicken mixture and stir to coat.

5️⃣ Assemble Wraps

Spoon chicken mixture into lettuce leaves.
Drizzle with remaining sauce and top with cilantro and peanuts.

Serve immediately.

🍽 Serving Ideas

With a side cucumber salad
Alongside brown rice or quinoa
As a meal-prep lunch option
With extra lime wedges for brightness

🥗 Nutritional Highlights

✔ High in protein
✔ Low in refined carbohydrates
✔ Rich in healthy fats
✔ Good fiber from vegetables
✔ Gluten-free option (use tamari)

❓ Q & A

Q1: Can I make this dairy-free?

It already is dairy-free!

Q2: Can I use chicken breast instead of ground?

Yes. Finely dice cooked chicken breast and follow same seasoning steps.

Q3: How spicy is it?

Mild to medium. Adjust chili paste to taste.

Q4: Can I make it vegetarian?

Substitute ground chicken with lentils or crumbled tofu.

Q5: How long does the filling last?

Store in refrigerator up to 4 days.

Q6: Can I make it low-carb?

It already is! Just skip honey or reduce it further.