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Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Featured in: The Stars of the Table

These Bang Bang Chicken Lettuce Wraps transform the popular appetizer into a satisfying meal by combining tender chunks of chicken, fluffy jasmine rice, and the irresistible sweet-spicy bang bang sauce that gives the dish its name. What makes this recipe special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors - crisp lettuce, tender chicken, soft rice, and that creamy, slightly spicy sauce that ties everything together. The homemade bang bang sauce is the star, featuring a harmonious blend of creamy mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, tangy rice vinegar, and as much honey and sriracha as your spice tolerance allows. Unlike traditional bang bang chicken that's often deep-fried and heavy, this lighter lettuce wrap version maintains all the flavor while creating a fresher, more vibrant dish. The quick lime-soy marinade ensures the chicken stays juicy and flavorful, while the customizable toppings like fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and an extra drizzle of that addictive sauce allow everyone to personalize their wraps. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, these wraps deliver restaurant-quality flavors with minimal effort.
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Updated on Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:08:33 GMT
A plate of food with chicken and lettuce. Pin it
A plate of food with chicken and lettuce. | tasteofcook.com

Bang bang chicken lettuce wraps transform a beloved restaurant favorite into a fresher, lighter meal that delivers all the creamy-spicy goodness without the heaviness of fried ingredients. These vibrant wraps combine tender chicken pieces, fluffy jasmine rice, and that irresistible bang bang sauce that's simultaneously sweet, creamy, and spicy. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, they bring restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen with minimal effort.

I first created these wraps when craving the flavors of restaurant bang bang chicken but wanting something fresher for a summer dinner party. The combination was an immediate hit, with guests returning for seconds and thirds. My brother-in-law, who typically avoids anything "healthy sounding," requested the recipe afterward, which I consider the ultimate compliment for a lightened-up dish!

Irresistible Sauce Ingredients

  • Creamy mayonnaise: Forms rich base for the signature sauce
  • Sweet Thai chili sauce: Provides perfect blend of sweetness and heat
  • Sriracha sauce: Allows for customized heat level
  • Natural honey: Balances the spicy elements beautifully
  • Rice vinegar: Adds subtle tang and brightness

Perfect Protein Components

  • Low sodium soy sauce: Creates savory depth in the chicken
  • Fresh lime juice: Brightens and tenderizes the meat
  • Cornstarch: Ensures proper thickening of marinade
  • Boneless chicken: Provides lean protein foundation
  • Quality cooking oil: Creates ideal sautéing medium
  • Fresh garlic: Infuses aromatic flavor throughout

Flavorful Assembly Elements

  • Crisp lettuce leaves: Create perfect edible vessels
  • Fragrant jasmine rice: Provides satisfying foundation
  • Fresh cilantro: Adds bright herbal notes
  • Toasted sesame seeds: Contribute nutty depth
  • Chopped jalapeños: Offer additional heat for spice lovers
  • Fresh lime wedges: Provide citrus brightness on serving

Expert Preparation

Signature Sauce Creation:
Begin by whisking mayonnaise, Thai chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a medium bowl until completely smooth. Adjust sweetness with additional honey or heat with more sriracha based on personal preference.
Sauce Separation:
Reserve approximately one-third cup of the prepared sauce specifically for cooking with the chicken. This ensures flavor in every component while maintaining food safety with separate portions.
Chicken Marination:
Combine diced chicken pieces with soy sauce, fresh lime juice, and cornstarch in a bowl, tossing to coat evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate briefly, which enhances flavor while the cornstarch works its magic.
Aromatic Base:
Heat oil in a large skillet until shimmering but not smoking. Add minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant, being careful not to brown or burn it.
Perfect Protein Cooking:
Add marinated chicken to the aromatic oil, leaving excess marinade behind to prevent steaming. Cook until pieces are just cooked through with light browning on the edges.
Sauce Integration:
Remove the skillet from heat before adding the reserved portion of bang bang sauce to the hot chicken. This timing prevents the sauce from breaking while still allowing it to coat each piece perfectly.
Artful Assembly:
Layer fluffy jasmine rice into crisp lettuce cups, creating a stable base that absorbs the flavorful sauce. Top with the sauced chicken mixture, then garnish with fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, and optional jalapeños.
A plate of food with lettuce wraps and meat. Pin it
A plate of food with lettuce wraps and meat. | tasteofcook.com

I particularly love serving these lettuce wraps for casual dinner parties where everyone can build their own perfect bite according to preference. The vibrant colors create a beautiful presentation, while the interactive nature of assembly encourages conversation and sharing.

Perfect Serving Suggestions

Present these wraps as part of an Asian-inspired feast alongside vegetable spring rolls, cucumber salad, and fresh fruit for a complete meal. For casual entertaining, arrange all components buffet-style, allowing guests to build their own wraps.

Creative Variations

Transform this recipe by substituting shrimp for chicken, creating a seafood version. Create a vegetarian option using crispy tofu cubes. For a lower-carb alternative, replace jasmine rice with cauliflower rice while maintaining all the delicious sauce elements.

Storage Solutions

Store the chicken mixture, sauce, rice, and lettuce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken mixture and rice will keep for up to three days, while the sauce remains fresh for up to a week.

A plate of food with lettuce wraps and chicken. Pin it
A plate of food with lettuce wraps and chicken. | tasteofcook.com

The beauty of these bang bang chicken lettuce wraps lies in how they transform a typically indulgent dish into something lighter yet still completely satisfying. They prove that healthier eating doesn't require sacrificing bold flavors or creamy textures but rather thoughtfully combining them with fresh elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of lettuce works best for these wraps?
Butter lettuce (also called Boston or Bibb lettuce) works wonderfully for these wraps as the leaves are soft yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. The leaves also naturally form a cup shape, making them perfect for filling. Romaine heart leaves provide more crunch but can be a bit harder to wrap, while iceberg lettuce offers maximum crispness but can be more prone to tearing. Choose based on your texture preference!
→ Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! The bang bang sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The chicken can be cooked, combined with its portion of sauce, and stored separately for up to 2 days. The rice can also be cooked ahead and reheated. When ready to serve, gently reheat the chicken and rice separately, then assemble fresh wraps. For the best texture and flavor, wash and dry the lettuce leaves the day you plan to serve.
→ How can I adjust the spice level in the bang bang sauce?
The spice level is completely customizable. For a milder sauce, start with just 1 tablespoon of sriracha and add more honey for sweetness. For medium heat, use equal parts sriracha and honey (about 1½ tablespoons each). For spicy bang bang sauce, use 2 tablespoons or more of sriracha and adjust the honey to balance the heat. You can also use less sweet Thai chili sauce and more mayonnaise for a milder base.
→ What can I substitute for sweet Thai chili sauce?
If you don't have sweet Thai chili sauce, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Heat this in a small saucepan until just bubbling, then cool before using. Alternatively, duck sauce or apricot preserves mixed with a bit of sriracha can work in a pinch.
→ What are some good side dishes to serve with these lettuce wraps?
These bang bang chicken lettuce wraps pair beautifully with Asian-inspired sides like a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing, edamame, or a crunchy slaw with sesame dressing. For a more substantial meal, serve with spring rolls, miso soup, or steamed dumplings. A side of fresh fruit like pineapple or mango also complements the sweet-spicy flavors of the bang bang sauce.

Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These Bang Bang Chicken Lettuce Wraps combine tender chicken and fluffy jasmine rice with a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce for a fresh and protein-packed meal.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian-Fusion

Yield: 4 Servings (8-10 lettuce wraps)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Bang Bang Sauce

01 ¾ cup mayonnaise
02 ½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce
03 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust according to your heat preference)
04 1-2 tablespoons honey (adjust for desired sweetness)
05 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

→ For the Chicken

06 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, chopped into ½-inch pieces
07 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
08 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 medium lime)
09 1 teaspoon cornstarch
10 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
11 4 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ For Assembly

12 1 head butter lettuce (or romaine hearts), leaves separated, washed and dried
13 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, kept warm
14 ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
15 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
16 1-2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced (optional)
17 Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, rice vinegar, and start with 1 tablespoon each of sriracha and honey. Whisk everything together until smooth and well-blended. Taste the sauce and adjust the heat and sweetness by adding more sriracha for spice or honey for sweetness until it reaches your preferred flavor balance. For a spicier sauce, go up to 2 tablespoons of sriracha; for a sweeter version, increase the honey. The beauty of this sauce is how customizable it is to your taste preferences!

Step 02

Once you're happy with the flavor of your bang bang sauce, measure out ⅓ cup and set it aside in a small bowl - this portion will be used for mixing with the cooked chicken. Cover the remaining sauce and refrigerate it until serving time. This larger portion will be used for drizzling over the assembled wraps, so having it in a separate container prevents any cross-contamination with the raw chicken.

Step 03

Place your chopped chicken pieces in a medium bowl. In a small separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, and cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Pour this marinade over the chicken pieces and toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. The cornstarch will help create a slight thickening effect and help the sauce cling to the chicken better. Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature - this brief marinating time adds flavor while you prepare other components.

Step 04

If you haven't already cooked your rice, now is a good time to prepare it according to package instructions. Jasmine rice typically uses a 1:1.5 ratio of rice to water. For 2 cups of cooked rice, you'll need about ¾ cup uncooked rice. The rice should be ready around the same time as your chicken.

Step 05

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the minced garlic and sauté for just 15-20 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown or burn. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the marinated chicken to the skillet, leaving any excess marinade behind in the bowl. Spread the chicken in an even layer and let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes to develop some color, then stir and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the chicken is just cooked through with no pink remaining. The small pieces will cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook them, which could make the chicken dry.

Step 06

Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the chicken to cool slightly for about 2 minutes. This brief cooling prevents the sauce from breaking when added to very hot chicken. Add the reserved ⅓ cup of bang bang sauce to the chicken and gently stir to coat all the pieces evenly. The warm chicken will absorb some of the sauce flavors beautifully. If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a splash of water or a squeeze of lime juice to loosen it slightly.

Step 07

Arrange your lettuce leaves on a serving platter or large plate. Make sure they're completely dry to prevent the filling from sliding around. Place the warm rice, sauce-coated chicken, chopped cilantro, diced jalapeños (if using), toasted sesame seeds, lime wedges, and the remaining bang bang sauce in separate bowls to create a DIY lettuce wrap bar. This presentation is perfect for family-style serving or casual entertaining.

Step 08

To assemble each wrap, place a lettuce leaf on a plate and add about 2 tablespoons of warm jasmine rice in the center. Top with a generous spoonful of the bang bang chicken mixture. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, toasted sesame seeds, and diced jalapeños if desired. Drizzle with additional bang bang sauce and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. The wraps can be eaten taco-style by folding the sides of the lettuce leaf around the filling. For a more substantial meal, serve 2-3 wraps per person.

Notes

  1. The bang bang sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  2. For a lower-carb version, omit the rice or substitute with cauliflower rice.
  3. The chicken marinade includes cornstarch, which helps create a silky texture in the finished dish.
  4. This recipe is inspired by the popular bang bang shrimp appetizer but uses chicken for a more substantial meal.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp knife and cutting board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)
  • Contains wheat (soy sauce)
  • Contains sesame (sesame seeds)