So I failed to tell you the entire culinary story of Ben’s and my Vegas Vacation…
Our first night there, feeling brave after a rather large can of Sapporo, we each dove face first into a Pinks Hotdog, whose newly opened location was strategically placed right outside our hotel. A Classic Dog for him, and a Rueben Dog for her. I know.
Whatever. One bite of the snappy casing, sour ‘kraut and salty pastrami and it was lights out. When in Vegas!
The other meal I failed to mention took place late one night after returning home from sipping cocktails and shooting craps at the casinos. I had previously turned up my nose to the P.F. Chang’s located in the lobby of our hotel, preferring to dine at non-chain restaurants for all major-meals while on vacation. But as I looked at the clock, I came to realize that it certainly wasn’t a major-meal hour of the day morning, and the smell wafting from the restaurant’s open doors smelled too good to resist.
Bring on the chain restaurant – and the Lettuce Wraps – whee!
P.F.Chang’s Lettuce Wraps – I am telling you – salty, greasy, PERFECT. If you’ve ever had them, I bet you’ll agree. But sometimes they can be a little too greasy, know what I mean?
That’s why I decided to recreate.
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P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wraps
Description
P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps copycat recipe tastes just like the restaurant's version, but are made a lot healthier, and gluten-free - at home!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground chicken breast
- 1/2 onion, minced
- salt & pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1" knob ginger, peeled & minced
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/2 Tablespoon water
- 1/2 Tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or more if you like it hotter)
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2-8oz can sliced water chestnuts, drained & chopped
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
- 10-12 large outer lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
Directions
- Heat a large, non-stick skillet on high. Add chicken, onion, salt & pepper, then cook until chicken is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add garlic and ginger then continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, oil, peanut butter, water, honey, chili garlic sauce and pepper. Microwave for 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Add into the skillet and stir to combine.
- Add green onions and water chestnuts into the skillet then cook for 1-2 minutes until the onions are soft and the water chestnuts are heated through.
- Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, and serve with cold lettuce leaves.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I die. I die for this dish! It is FANtastic, and so much lighter than PFC’s!
Salty, crunchy and crispy – fun too! Simply pile the chicken mixture onto a lettuce leaf,
roll,
and chomp. AWESOME. The fuller you stuff ’em, the better, too. My first wrap was kind of weak sauce, so I really jammed the filling in with the others. Much better. You have to make these!
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Sarah W 04.27.2011
I’ve always wondered how you get hooked up with companies to have them send you samples to try… care packages of ice cream!? I remember you talking about a company sending you fancy yogert to try.
I grew up 20 minutes from the ice cream capitol of the world(Le Mars, IA) and my hometown is the home of the original Pizza Ranch so I guess you could say I’m a sucker for pizza and ice cream.
Deanna 04.27.2011
YUM! I love PF Chang’s lettuce wraps – I have a recipe somewhere for the spicy sauce to put on top – if I find it I will send it to you!
(ps – long time reader – long time lurker – lol)
GGL 12.12.2012
I love lettuce wraps and will try this recipe BUT I love the spicy sauce that Pei Wei (sp?) serves with there lettuce wraps. If anyone knows the recipe for Pei Wei spicy lettuce wrap sauce please post it.
TIA
natalie (the sweets life) 04.27.2011
I hate to say it but I’m kind of a snob when it comes to chains…however, I do really love California Pizza Kitchen!
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl 04.27.2011
I wish I could eat everything in this post! Your lettuce wraps look amazing and that red velvet ice cream sandwich?! What a great idea. I do not know how I would survive if Blue Bunny sent me a package of samples…
Fave chain restaurant: without a doubt – Chilis; give me unlimited chips and margaritas and I’m a happy girl :-)
Jill 04.27.2011
I heart BJ’s Brewery – Pizza and beer my favorite combo!
Ellen@The Hairbow Chronicles 04.27.2011
I’m still trying to figure out how they sent you ice cream in the mail.
Oh, and Carrabba’s Italian. Yum!
Iowa Girl Eats 04.27.2011
Dry ice! https://iowagirleats.com/2011/03/31/25-gift-card-salad-gift-basket-giveaway-fun-with-dried-ice/
Alexa 04.27.2011
Yum! For sure making these. With being gluten free now, it seems all delicious lettuce wraps at restaurants are not GF (not sure why?!), so it will be great to make them myself. Thanks for the recipe!
Daisy 04.27.2011
you went to Max Brenner and that is a chain!! ;)
Maddie 04.27.2011
It’s great to live in Iowa solely for the fact that we have Wells Blue Bunny ice cream… I tried the Red Velvet Cake ice cream over the weekend and it was certainly dangerous!!
As far as favorite chain restaurant, I have a serious addiction to Bravo! and their diavolo sauce. I put it on almost every dish I order because I like the spice! Their dipping oil is also super yum!
Lauren 04.27.2011
What an awesome idea! I’m having some girls over this weekend to watch the Royal Wedding (I know…) and think I’ll make these. Did you use iceberg lettuce?
Iowa Girl Eats 04.27.2011
Ooo how fun! Yep – just plain iceburg!
Chad 04.27.2011
Great recipe – I love making wraps with leaves! SO stinking smart :)
Greta 04.27.2011
Genius! I always order those wraps when I’m there…. so delicious! Yours look identical. I love how you used water chestnuts, they are one of my favorite things to use in recipes, they add such wonderful crunch to recipes.
Char 04.27.2011
Those lettuce wraps look amazing, and yes, the ones at PF Chang’s ARE delish. Thanks for recreating them in a healthier way!
Teresa K. 04.27.2011
HMMM – Olive Garden – no ummmm – IHOP – no ummmm – oh who knows – oh – I know Bruegger’s Bagels – warm, soft – chewy bagels, freshly made (can you believe we live soooo close to NYC and have not had a real bagel?)
I’m afraid I have to comment – was that ICEBERG lettuce? oh my goodness – oh my goodness – whatever happened to the Romain, or Boston Bib or Red Leaf or SOMETHING with a little vitamins? (lol)
Hope 04.27.2011
I LOVE PF Changs! They have the best food there! The Chicken Lettuce Wraps are my absolute favorite thing from there! I have been dying to recreate it but I had no idea where to start! Thank you SO much for posting this recipe! I cannot wait to try it!! :)
ashley 04.27.2011
It’s been 2.5 years since my husband and I have lived where they have chain restaurants….but we talk about missing Godfather’s, and I miss Pizza Ranch (but I’m the only one in my family that likes their pizza!), oh and Red Lobster…and we miss any kind of Chinese chain restaurant… honestly though, I’ll eat anywhere!
Rachel 04.27.2011
Honestly, I think my all-time favorite chain is probably IHOP, but that’s because I have a thing for pancakes. For meals other than breakfast, I’d say Texas Roadhouse. I LOVE their Chicken Critters & their BBQ sauce!
mare(a trader Joe's shopper) 04.27.2011
gotta go with Cheesecake Factory. FAV! especially in naples ,FL
Nicole (the other one) 04.27.2011
Totally agree with Cheesecake Factory…and actually my favorite menu item is their Lettuce Wraps – chicken with thai peanut sauce and lo mein noodles with veggies! I make my own version at home all the time. I think Boston lettuce is the best for wraps.
Shari 12.20.2012
I agree – Cheesecake Factory’s Lettuce Wraps are my FAV’S! And the best ice cream you can buy is BLUE BELL – Not Blue Bunny. Just sayin
lauren @ sassy molassy 04.26.2011
Oh my gosh, lettuce wraps and ice cream sandwiches…YUM. Ice cream sandwiches just may be the best dessert ever.
Kristin from MN 04.26.2011
Chevy’s!