Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap {Paleo, Whole30, Gluten-Free} (2024)

Craving a light, refreshing, burst of umami flavors? This 30-minute Paleo Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap is just what you need to satisfy your hunger. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, low carb, low sodium, Keto, Whole30-approved, and can be made AIP-friendly.

Forget the afternoon slump. Instead, impress your coworkers, family, and friends with this appetizer and have it for lunch. It’s a quick and easy recipe to make and I’ve got tips and tricks to help you create it with finesse. Let’s face it, most of us skip to the recipe but hang tight with me because it’s the small tweeks that make this better than PF Changs’ Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

How to Level Up this Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap:

1. Toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan for 3-5 minutes.

   • I’ve watched enough cooking shows to see how irritated the judges get when sesame seeds are not toasted. In fact, in Asia, they always toast the sesame seeds. The reason is that it helps release the aroma and enhance the sweet nutty flavor.

2. Romaine Lettuce must be chilled in the refrigerator.

   • First, separate the lettuce and cherry-pick the ones that hold a cup form. Clean and dry thoroughly before returning it back to the refrigerator. You don’t want warm soggy lettuce, trust me.
   • Why use Romaine Lettuce? It’s always your choice, but I’ve found it had the most crunch than iceberg or butter lettuce. It’s also aesthetically pleasing.

3. AIP-Approved Staples

   • A soy-free alternative will keep you from reaching for water because you won’t be dehydrated from the sodium.
   • “Coconut aminos has 90 mg of sodium per teaspoon (5 ml), while traditional soy sauce contains about 280 mg of sodium in the same serving size.” – Healthline
     • My favorite is Big Tree Farms Coco Aminos.
   • AIP Paleo Powder All-Purpose Seasoning is what I used to season my chicken. It’s made with Himalayan pink salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and sage. Coat your chicken generously and it will blend well with the marinade.

4. Mirin Substitute

   • Instead of 2 tbsps of mirin for the marinade, I recommend using 1:1 ratio of water to raw honey or date syrup.
   • Raw honey is a healthier alternative as it is not processed. It is unfiltered and contains the most beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. If you are on keto, whole30, and AIP avoiding sugar or sweeteners is key. You always have the option to omit as the coconut aminos have a natural sweetness to them already. However, I recommend:
     • D’vash Organic Date Syrup is 100% made with dates, no added sugar, paleo, gluten-free, and vegan.

5. Use half of the marinade for cooking.

   • You don’t want messy lettuce wraps. Sure, the drippings are part of the experience but it’s best to set aside half of the marinade, turn it into the dipping sauce and drizzle over your masterpiece.

6. Dipping Sauce

   • What! There’s a dipping sauce? Well, more like extra sauce! Just add a tbsp of avocado mayonnaise to half of the marinade and drizzle on top of the Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap. Chef’s Kiss!
     • Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise

If you are new to Whole30 and AIP or need a refresher, check out my post on WHOLE30 VS. AIP: HOW DOES THE PALEO DIET COMPARE?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hitomi Gonzales, CFNC (@eatsallornothing)

Related