If you’re craving something delightfully fresh, wildly flavorful, and wonderfully fun to eat, you’re going to fall hard for these Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats. Each bite wraps you in a dance of savory chicken, crunchy veggies, and creamy, nutty peanut sauce, all nestled in cool, crisp butter lettuce. With bold Thai-inspired flavors and a gorgeous presentation, they’re a showstopper for a party platter—or the best weeknight dinner you’ll ever serve yourself. Best part? Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats are surprisingly easy to pull together in just about half an hour.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll love how every ingredient in Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats works harmoniously to create a perfect explosion of taste, bite, and color. Nothing is fussy, yet each element shines—bringing just the right touch of heat, crunch, and creamy richness to the table.
- Ground Chicken: The heart of the filling, ground chicken soaks up all the Thai-inspired seasonings and stays juicy and tender.
- Olive Oil: Keeps the chicken moist and helps the aromatics release their full flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Brings savory depth and irresistible aroma right from the start.
- Fresh Ginger (grated): Adds zingy warmth and a classic Southeast Asian dimension.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari: For that unmistakable salty umami base—use tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Rice Vinegar: Injects brightness and a gentle tang to balance the savory-sweet notes.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory peanut sauce.
- Sriracha (optional): Gives the dish a customizable bit of chili warmth—use more or less to your heat preference.
- Shredded Carrots: Crisp, sweet, and vibrant—don’t skip the color and crunch!
- Red Bell Pepper (diced): More juicy crunch and bursts of lively red throughout each boat.
- Green Onions (sliced): Gentle onion flavor plus a vibrant green finish as both mix-in and garnish.
- Fresh Cilantro (chopped): A classic Thai herb adding bright, herbal freshness—if you love cilantro, don’t be shy!
- Roasted Peanuts (chopped): Extra texture and salty richness—these are essential for a peanutty finish.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The luscious base for that signature, velvety Thai peanut sauce.
- Lime Juice: Lifts the peanut sauce and ties everything together with citrusy tang.
- Sesame Oil: Just a little brings nutty depth and delicious aroma to the sauce.
- Water: Thins the peanut sauce so it’s easy to drizzle over every boat.
- Butter Lettuce Leaves: The sturdy yet tender “boat” that holds all the filling—don’t substitute here!
How to Make Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken, Garlic, and Ginger
Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Tumble in the ground chicken, minced garlic, and fresh ginger, and use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. After about 6 to 7 minutes, your chicken should be nicely browned and fully cooked—by this point, your kitchen will already smell incredible!
Step 2: Add the Sauces and Spices
With your savory chicken base ready, it’s time to stir in the soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha. Every swirl in the pan will coat your chicken in glossy, flavorful goodness, hitting a sweet-savory-spicy balance that makes Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats so addictive.
Step 3: Toss in Veggies
Scatter in the shredded carrots and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes—just long enough to soften the veggies slightly while keeping their freshness and crunch. The colors alone will make you want to dive in before you’re even done!
Step 4: Stir in Fresh Herbs
Remove your skillet from the heat and fold in the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro. This gives your filling an herbal burst that brightens the entire flavor profile and takes your Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats to the next level.
Step 5: Whisk Up the Peanut Sauce
In a small bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and just enough warm water to create a smooth, pourable sauce. Whisk until there are no lumps—it should look silky and absolutely dreamy. This is the flavor magic that will tie everything together.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Spoon the warm chicken mixture into those pretty butter lettuce leaves. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce, sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts, and you’re ready to serve! Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats are meant to be eaten with your hands—messy, a little drippy, and completely delicious.
How to Serve Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats
Garnishes
The final flourish is all about extra color and crunch. Sprinkle lots of chopped roasted peanuts on top for texture, a little more fresh cilantro for fragrance, and some thinly sliced green onions. For a pop of heat and contrast, scatter on a few thin slices of red chili or an extra squeeze of lime—simple touches that make your Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats truly beautiful.
Side Dishes
These boats play perfectly alongside light, bright sides! A simple cucumber salad with sesame and lime, some steamed jasmine rice, or fresh mango slices balance the rich peanut sauce and keep the meal feeling fresh. For a more filling spread, add a bowl of coconut soup or some crispy spring rolls if you’re feeding a crowd.
Creative Ways to Present
Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats shine as a main course or appetizer, but you can get creative! Arrange the leaves on a big tray and let guests build their own, buffet-style. Or assemble mini versions using smaller lettuce leaves for party bites. Add rainbow veggie garnishes or edible flowers for a festive, colorful platter that wows everyone at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover chicken filling and peanut sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store washed and dried butter lettuce leaves separately to keep them crisp—assemble fresh boats just before eating so you never have soggy lettuce!
Freezing
While you can freeze the cooked chicken mixture for up to a month, the texture of the veggies will be softer after thawing. Peanut sauce freezes well too—just whisk it again after defrosting. Don’t freeze the lettuce; it won’t bounce back. Thaw everything overnight in the fridge before reheating and assembling fresh boats.
Reheating
Rewarm the chicken mixture gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or zap it in the microwave until hot (about 1 to 2 minutes). Stir the peanut sauce and, if it seems too thick from chilling, add a splash of water and whisk until smooth before drizzling it over your fresh Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully here—just as lean and satisfying as chicken, and it soaks up the flavorful sauce just as well. You may want to season a touch more if your turkey is particularly mild.
What’s the best lettuce for lettuce boats?
Butter lettuce is the gold standard for Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats because it’s tender and flexible but strong enough to hold plenty of filling. You could also use Boston or Bibb lettuce, but avoid iceberg lettuce, which tends to crack.
How do I make this recipe low-carb or keto-friendly?
It’s simple! Just swap out the honey for a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit syrup or stevia and use tamari in place of soy sauce. Every bite of your Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats will be just as delicious, with even fewer carbs.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free and gluten-free?
Yes, it’s naturally dairy-free, and by using tamari instead of soy sauce, you can easily keep Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats completely gluten-free. Double check your peanut butter and sriracha to ensure there’s no hidden gluten if you’re highly sensitive.
How spicy are these lettuce boats, and can I adjust the heat?
The spice level is super flexible. Sriracha adds as much or as little heat as you like, and you can even garnish with sliced chili for extra kick—or skip the spice altogether for a family-friendly version. Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats play nicely no matter how bold you want them!
Final Thoughts
Give these Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats a spot at your table this week and prepare for major flavor fireworks. They’re just the right mix of savory, sweet, fresh, and nutty—all in a playful, hands-on package. Whether you’re making them for friends or treating yourself, you’ll want to come back to this recipe again and again!
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Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai-Inspired, Fusion
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Thai Peanut Chicken Lettuce Boats are a flavorful and healthy dish that combines the zesty taste of Thai cuisine with the crunch of fresh lettuce. Perfect for a light meal or appetizer!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1–2 tablespoons warm water to thin
- 8–10 large butter lettuce leaves
For serving:
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken, garlic, and ginger until browned.
- Mix the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sriracha. Add carrots and bell pepper, cook until softened.
- Make Peanut Sauce: Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, sesame oil, and water.
- Assemble: Fill lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, drizzle with peanut sauce, and top with peanuts.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Prep filling and sauce ahead for quick assembly.
- For low-carb, use sugar-free sweetener instead of honey.
- Also delicious with ground turkey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 lettuce boats
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
