Easy Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe at Home

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Easy P.F. Chang’s-Style Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better-Than-Takeout Copycat)

If you love the famous P.F. Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps but don’t always want to eat out, this easy copycat recipe is for you. These chicken lettuce wraps are:
  • Sweet, salty, and a little garlicky
  • Crispy and fresh from the cold lettuce
  • Fast enough for a weeknight dinner
  • Light, but still surprisingly filling
I’ll walk you through how to make them at home with simple ingredients, plus a few shortcuts for busy nights.

A Quick Background: P.F. Chang’s & Their Iconic Lettuce Wraps

P.F. Chang’s is a casual Asian-inspired restaurant chain that started in the United States and has become known for bold flavors and shareable plates. One of the most popular items on the menu is their chicken lettuce wraps. These wraps are savory, slightly sweet, and packed with umami. The filling is finely chopped chicken with water chestnuts and green onions, coated in a glossy sauce and tucked into cool, crisp lettuce leaves. The contrast is what makes them special:
  • Hot, juicy chicken vs. cold, crunchy lettuce
  • Sticky, savory sauce with a touch of sweetness
  • Soft and crisp textures in every bite
Trademark note: P.F. Chang’s is a registered trademark of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. These chicken lettuce wraps are a homemade copycat-style recipe, inspired by the dish but not endorsed by or affiliated with the restaurant.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Here’s what makes this version perfect for home cooks:
  • Uses easy-to-find grocery store ingredients
  • Ready in about 30 minutes
  • One pan, simple clean-up
  • Great for meal prep and leftovers
  • Easy to adjust for gluten-free or dairy-free diets
When my family wants “takeout” on a weeknight, this is one of my go-to recipes. I can have everything chopped and cooked before rice even finishes in the rice cooker.

Copycat P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Servings: About 4 servings (2–3 lettuce wraps per person)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Close-up of homemade P.F. Chang’s–style chicken lettuce wraps with glossy ground chicken, water chestnuts, and green onions served in crisp butter lettuce cups.
Homemade copycat P.F. Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps — sweet, savory, and served in crisp lettuce cups for an easy better-than-takeout dinner

Ingredients

For the Chicken Filling:
  • 1 ½ pounds ground chicken (or very finely chopped boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado oil)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (or ¾ teaspoon ground ginger in a pinch)
  • 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
  • 3–4 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
For the Sauce: For Serving:
  • 1 large head butter lettuce, Boston lettuce, or iceberg lettuce (leaves separated, washed, and dried)
  • Optional: extra sriracha, chili-garlic sauce, or sweet chili sauce
  • Optional: cooked white or brown rice on the side

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Lettuce and Veggies

  • Gently separate the lettuce leaves, trying to keep them whole like little cups.
  • Rinse under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner.
  • Set the leaves in the fridge while you cook, so they stay crisp and cold.
  • Finely chop the onion, water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger. Slice the green onions, keeping the white and green parts separate.

2. Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon sriracha
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Set aside. This sauce is what gives the chicken that rich, glossy coating.

3. Cook the Aromatics

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the diced onion and the white parts of the green onions.
  • Cook 2–3 minutes until the onion starts to soften and turn translucent.
  • Add the minced garlic and ginger; cook about 30 seconds, stirring often, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

4. Brown the Chicken Safely

  • Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula.
  • Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is no longer pink and is broken into very small crumbles.
Food safety note: Ground chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. If you’re unsure, use a food thermometer and check in the center of the pan.

5. Add Water Chestnuts and Sauce

  • Stir in the chopped water chestnuts and the sauce you mixed earlier.
  • Reduce heat to medium.
  • Cook another 3–5 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
  • Taste and adjust: add more sriracha for heat or a touch more honey/brown sugar for sweetness.

6. Finish with Green Onions

  • Turn off the heat.
  • Stir in the green parts of the green onions.
  • Let the filling rest for 2–3 minutes to cool slightly before serving. This makes it easier to handle in the lettuce cups.

7. Assemble and Serve

  • Place lettuce leaves on a platter.
  • Spoon warm chicken mixture into each leaf—about ¼ cup per wrap.
  • Top with extra green onions or a drizzle of hot sauce if you like spice.
  • Fold like a taco and enjoy right away while the lettuce is still crisp.

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

These numbers are estimates and will vary by brand and exact portion size.
Per serving (about ¼ of the recipe, not including rice or extra sauces):
  • Calories: ~320
  • Protein: ~28g
  • Carbohydrates: ~18g
  • Fat: ~14g
  • Fiber: ~2g
  • Sugar: ~9g
  • Sodium: ~900–1000mg (can be lowered with low-sodium soy sauce and reduced hoisin)
If you’re watching sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce and consider cutting back slightly on hoisin sauce.

Simple Home Cook Shortcuts & Time-Savers

Want these copycat lettuce wraps on the table even faster? Try a few of these ideas.

Use Pre-Chopped Ingredients

  • Buy pre-minced garlic and ginger in jars.
  • Use frozen pre-chopped onions.
  • Look for pre-sliced green onions in the produce section if available.

Crock-Pot / Slow Cooker Version

If you want to set it and forget it:
  • Lightly brown the ground chicken in a skillet first (for flavor and food safety).
  • Transfer to a slow cooker with the onion, garlic, ginger, white parts of the green onions, and sauce.
  • Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–1.5 hours, until fully cooked and flavors blend.
  • Stir in water chestnuts and green onion tops in the last 15 minutes.
You lose a little of the “stir-fry” texture, but you gain major convenience—especially for parties.

Casserole-Style Lettuce Wraps Bowl

If you don’t want to fuss with individual wraps:
  • Serve the hot chicken mixture over steamed rice or cauliflower rice in bowls.
  • Shred the lettuce and pile it on top like a salad.
  • Drizzle with a little extra soy sauce or chili sauce.
Same flavors, less assembly.

Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Modifications

Everyone should be able to enjoy chicken lettuce wraps. Here are some simple swaps.

Gluten-Free Version

  • Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.
  • Use a gluten-free hoisin sauce (many standard brands contain wheat, so check the label).
  • Make sure any chili sauce used is also gluten-free.

Dairy-Free

These lettuce wraps are naturally dairy-free as written. Just double-check your hoisin and sauces for hidden dairy (rare, but always worth a quick look).

Paleo-Friendly

  • Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
  • Skip the hoisin sauce and add:
    • 1 more tablespoon coconut aminos
    • 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, for umami)
    • 1 teaspoon extra honey (if allowed)
  • Use lettuce wraps only; skip rice and refined sugar-based sauces.

Vegan or Vegetarian Version

To make “lettuce wraps” without chicken:
  • Swap ground chicken for:
    • Finely crumbled firm tofu (press it first to remove excess water)
    • Cooked and crumbled tempeh
    • Finely chopped mushrooms plus lentils for extra protein
  • Use hoisin and sauces that are clearly vegan (some hoisin may contain animal-derived ingredients).
  • Cook the filling the same way, just watch the cooking time so tofu doesn’t dry out.

Tips for Success (So They Really Taste Like Restaurant Lettuce Wraps)

  • Chop everything small. The filling should be finely crumbled, not chunky. This helps it sit nicely in the lettuce cups.
  • Keep the lettuce cold. Chilling the leaves while you cook makes the wraps extra crisp and refreshing.
  • Don’t skip the water chestnuts. They add that signature crunch.
  • Taste the sauce. Before you add it to the pan, dip a spoon in and adjust for sweetness, salt, and heat.

How to Serve & Store Leftover Chicken Lettuce Wraps

  • Serve the chicken mixture hot and keep the lettuce cold and separate.
  • Let everyone build their own wraps at the table—fun for kids and guests.
  • Store leftover chicken filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until steaming hot (165°F).
  • Always use fresh lettuce leaves when you’re ready to serve again.

Join the Conversation

Have you tried the original chicken lettuce wraps at P.F. Chang’s? How does this copycat version compare for you?
  • Would you add more heat?
  • Do you like them with rice, or just the lettuce?
I’d love to hear your tweaks and ideas. Please share this recipe with friends and family who love copycat restaurant recipes, and leave a comment with what worked for you, what you changed, or any questions. Your feedback helps other home cooks, too.

Important Disclaimers

Copycat Recipe Disclaimer: This chicken lettuce wraps recipe is a homemade copycat-style version created for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not the original P.F. Chang’s recipe, and we do not claim to know or reproduce their proprietary recipe or methods. P.F. Chang’s and any related names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only for descriptive and informational purposes.
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Simply Copycat Recipes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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