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These Soy Citrus Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps make for an awesome lunch or light & crisp dinner! They’ll quickly become a family favorite.
This dinner was special, because I had my wonderful friend Suzy over and Suzy is the reason that I’m writing this right now. Just over two years ago, Suz encouraged me to launch this blog! This blog that has given me so much happiness and creative determination with photography, cooking, and writing – it’s all thanks to her. I had been flirting with the idea of food blogging for months, but I had been lacking the motivation and drive to really get something started. So Suzy, I can’t thank you enough! The highest of fives to you, gal pal!
I had found myself in a bit of a pickle Friday because I had planned on making Greek-style burgers for the occasion but the grill decided that it didn’t want to grill anymore. I hadn’t thought up a Plan B! Though I had stumbled upon a cool recipe for lettuce wraps in a Pampered Chef recipe pamphlet earlier that week, so I took it and played with it. Suz enjoys healthy eats, I enjoy healthy eats, why not make delicious healthy eats? I’ll admit – the first time someone mentioned lettuce wraps to me I thought, “Ugh. Get out of my face.” Because some healthy trends just sound ridiculous. Until you try them and realize that it’s you that is ridiculous.
This recipe is fantastic, though. It’s bright, fresh, slightly creamy and hella crunchy.
I also have a newfangled obsession with Boston Bibb Lettuce. This lettuce is incredible – lettuce celebrate! My favourite thing about it is that it doesn’t taste like dirty water. Does that make me weird? I get that with Romaine or Iceberg sometimes and it makes me gag. No bueno.
I messed around with the Pampered Chef recipe by omitting the citrus ginger spice rub they use and using fresh ginger and lemon juice instead. I also used more soy sauce and substituted the chicken tenders for chopped boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The red grapes and toasted almonds added an amazing touch. That was part of the original recipe though, so I can’t take credit for that.
“Lettuce wrap” sounds very light – and maybe a little bit like rabbit food – but these are actually very filling.
Anyway, lettuce wrap this up! (I’m the worst.)
Soy Citrus Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
- Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- 1/2 cup julienned carrot sticks
- 1 cup of red seedless grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of low sodium Kikkoman soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of grated ginger
- The juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 6 medium or large leaves of Bibb lettuce, rinsed and patted dry
Instructions
- CHICKEN
- Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a baking dish.
- Brush with sesame oil and sprinkle a bit of sea salt and ground black pepper. Add a splash of water to the bottom of the baking dish to prevent burning or drying out.
- Cover and bake for approx. 25-30 minutes, or until juices run clear.
- Once the chicken is cooked, transfer to a plate and place in the freezer to quickly cool it off.
- Once cooled, chop into cubes and set aside.
- DRESSING
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, soy sauce, ginger, and lemon juice.
- SALAD
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken, carrots, grapes, toasted almonds, and scallions. Then drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
- Carefully spoon the chicken salad mixture into the Bibb leaves and serve.
These are definitely perfect for a light and healthy lunch. I love the idea of using lettuce as a wrap too – that’s something I never have tried before but I’m sure it adds a nice textural crunch!
Thanks, Thalia! As much as I love me some carbs, this is one no-carb alternative that I can embrace.
The flavor combinations all look amazing in this! I’ve never added carrots to my chicken salad, but I will certainly be trying this soon! Thanks for sharing! :D
Thanks for the comment!
Truthfully, I don’t use carrots often. But the carrot matchsticks worked so well in this salad! I hope you like it – let me know what you think if/when you give these a whirl :)
I totally agree. When someone first introduced me to the idea of lettuce wraps, I thought i would need to eat at least 30 to be full! But good idea to have another side. These seriously look great!
Thanks, Cathleen! I thought the same. I was thinking that I wasn’t going to have enough food, but it worked out swimmingly. And the leftovers are delicious the next day, too! So good I had one for breakfast because I didn’t want to wait for lunch, haha!
Hell to the yes. I normally turn my nose up at some of the sillier low-carb menu items out there, but I make an exception for lettuce wraps because they’re so fresh and crunchy and delicious. (Plus I don’t have feel guilty eating dessert afterwards, because I had such a healthy main course. Right?)
Loving all the crunchy veggies you’ve added here, and the fact that you went for chicken thighs instead of breasts. Your friend Suzy is a lucky gal!
Thanks, Isabelle! I am the same. Some low-carb options seem ridiculous. I’m still trying to get the whole cauliflower pizza crust thing to work. I mean, I don’t want to nay say it, but I haven’t found a recipe that has worked very well yet.
I must say, the grapes in this and the almonds? UGH DROOLFEST.
These sound like a nice light lunch….great for the hot summer days. Nice alternative to “bread” wraps. Funny how your friend managed to get you blogging….it was because of my friend I am blogging too. Let me tell you….when I was setting up my site….and things were going wrong…he heard about it LOL!!
I’m so glad you’re friend was able to talk you into it, though! :) It’s great having you around.
And yes, who wants heavy bread-y anything on a hot summer day? These make a perfect lunch. Or dinner, since I honestly just had some for dinner. Haha.
Hi Dana, girl you crack me up! So the recipe reads chicken breasts (here and on TK) for ingredients, preparation chicken thighs; I know you mean thighs but someone else may not?! Small typo. Cheryl
Lol – thanks for looking out for me, girl! Sometimes I get excited and type too fast and think less.
I will fix this right now! Chicken thighs forever!
Great job Dana! Love this recipe and story and you still crack me up!