Gluten-Free Paleo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Asian-inspired ground chicken filling wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves, featuring a savory coconut aminos-based sauce that replaces traditional soy sauce. This paleo-friendly version includes water chestnuts and mushrooms for texture, with ginger and garlic providing aromatic depth. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining, offering a light yet satisfying meal that accommodates multiple dietary restrictions including Whole30 and AIP protocols.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp almond butter(optional)
- 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses(optional)coconut nectar1:1Whole30
compliant sweetener
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp avocado oil
- salt and pepper, to taste(optional)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- ½ medium white onion, diced fine
- 1 thumb ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup mushrooms, diced fine
- ½ cup water chestnuts(optional)diced jicama1:1AIP
citric acid free
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper(optional)
- 2 tbsp green onion, chopped
- 1 head butter lettuce
Instructions
- 1
Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk vigorously to break up almond butter, then season to taste and set aside
- 2
Heat avocado oil in large deep skillet over medium heat
- 3
Add onion, garlic, ginger, water chestnuts, and mushrooms, then saute until vegetables soften
- 4
Set vegetables aside and add ground chicken to pan, season with salt and crumble with wooden spoon until cooked through
- 5
Return vegetables to pan and stir to combine with chicken
- 6
Pour in majority of sauce, reserving some for serving, then stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes
- 7
Top with green onion and serve chicken mixture in bowl with separated lettuce leaves and extra sauce on side
Tips
Whisk sauce vigorously to fully incorporate almond butter and prevent clumping
Dice vegetables uniformly small for even cooking and easier wrapping
Reserve some sauce for serving to allow guests to adjust flavor intensity
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Store filling and lettuce separately.
Make filling 1 day ahead. Reheat gently before serving.
Serve immediately while filling is warm and lettuce is crisp.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcook vegetables to avoid mushy texture
Separate lettuce leaves carefully to avoid tearing
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
compliant sweetener
citric acid free
FAQ
Can I make this AIP compliant?
Yes, omit almond butter, pepper, and water chestnuts. Use extra coconut aminos and add compliant vegetables like diced carrots for crunch.
What if I don't have coconut aminos?
Substitute with tamari or soy sauce if not following paleo protocol. Use 1:1 ratio but reduce salt since these are more sodium-dense.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store filling in refrigerator up to 3 days. Keep separate from lettuce leaves which should be used within 2 days for best crispness.