Craving that addictive, flavor-packed appetizer from Yard House but don’t want to leave the house? This Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe is the perfect – every bit as delicious as the restaurant version, yet incredibly easy to make at home in under 30 minutes.
Tender ground chicken is stir-fried with crispy water chestnuts, earthy shiitake mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that hits every note: sweet, salty, umami, and just a touch spicy. Spoon the hot filling into cool, crisp butter lettuce cups, top with scallions and crushed peanuts, and you’ve got a light but satisfying meal that everyone fights over.
This homemade Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe is naturally gluten-free (when using tamari or GF soy), low-carb, and easily customizable for spice level or dietary needs. Perfect for appetizers, game day, or a quick weeknight dinner!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes | Servings: 4 (as main) or 8 (as appetizer)
Equipment Need
| Equipment | Purpose | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Large skillet or wok | For fast, even stir-frying | 12-inch non-stick or carbon steel |
| Wooden spoon or spatula | Breaking up chicken & stirring | Heat-proof |
| Sharp chef’s knife | Fine dicing mushrooms, onions, etc. | 8-inch |
| Cutting board | Prepping all ingredients | Any size |
| Small bowls (3–4) | Holding prepped veggies & sauce | Prep bowls |
| Measuring spoons & cups | Accurate sauce measurements | Standard set |
| Whisk or fork | Mixing the sauce & cornstarch slurry | Any |
| Tongs or salad spinner | Washing & drying lettuce leaves | Optional but helpful |
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground chicken | 1 ½ lbs | Preferably 93% lean |
| Shiitake mushrooms, finely diced | 8 oz | Or baby bella |
| Water chestnuts, finely diced | 8 oz can | Drained & chopped |
| Yellow onion, finely diced | 1 medium | |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves | |
| Fresh ginger, minced | 1 Tbsp | |
| Green onions, sliced | 4 (white & green parts separated) | |
| Avocado oil or vegetable oil | 2 Tbsp | |
| Toasted sesame oil | 1 Tbsp | Added at the end |
For the Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari | ¼ cup | Use tamari for gluten-free |
| Hoisin sauce | 3 Tbsp | Lee Kum Kee recommended |
| Rice vinegar | 2 Tbsp | |
| Brown sugar or honey | 1 Tbsp | Adjust to taste |
| Sriracha or chili garlic sauce | 1–2 tsp | Optional, for heat |
| Cornstarch | 1 tsp | Mixed with 1 Tbsp water |
For Serving
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butter lettuce or iceberg | 2 heads | Leaves separated |
| Toppings (optional) | Crushed peanuts, extra green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, lime wedges |
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar/honey, and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside. Mix cornstarch with 1 Tbsp cold water in another small bowl for later thickening.
- Prep ingredients: Make sure everything is chopped super fine – this is key to the authentic Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps texture.
- Cook aromatics: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, white parts of green onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté 2–3 minutes until fragrant and onion is translucent.
- Brown the chicken: Add ground chicken. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add vegetables: Stir in diced shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts. Cook another 3–4 minutes until mushrooms soften.
- Pour in sauce: Give the sauce another whisk and pour over the chicken mixture. Bring to a simmer.
- Thicken: Stir the cornstarch slurry once more, then pour into the pan. Cook 1–2 minutes until sauce is glossy and coats the chicken beautifully.
- Finish: Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil and green onion tops. Taste and adjust seasoning – more sriracha, soy, or sugar if desired.
- Serve: Spoon warm filling into lettuce cups. Top with crushed peanuts, extra green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.
Pro Cooking Tips for Perfect Results Every Time
- Don’t overcook the chicken – it continues cooking in the sauce, so stop when it’s just no longer pink.
- Dice everything the same size (about ¼-inch) for that signature Yard House texture.
- Make the filling ahead – it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
- Crisp lettuce cups: soak butter lettuce in ice water for 10 minutes, then spin dry for maximum crunch.
- Double the sauce if your family likes it extra saucy (we always do!).
Serving Suggestions
These Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps are fantastic as:
- Party appetizer (double the recipe – they disappear fast!)
- Light lunch with jasmine rice or cauliflower rice on the side
- Low-carb dinner with Asian cucumber salad or sesame ginger slaw
- Game-day spread alongside crab rangoon dip and edamame
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
- Fridge: Store filling in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked filling up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
- Reheating: Warm in skillet with a splash of water or microwave 60–90 seconds. Do not reheat lettuce.
Delicious Variations & Substitutes
- Turkey Lettuce Wraps: Use ground turkey for a leaner version
- Vegetarian: Substitute impossible meat or finely diced tofu/mushrooms
- Pork Lettuce Wraps: Ground pork is delicious too
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeño or extra chili garlic sauce
- PF Chang’s Style: Add a little oyster sauce and serve with their signature sauce
Healthier Options
- Lower Sodium: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce + reduced-sodium hoisin
- Keto: Use romaine hearts, skip brown sugar (or use monk fruit), ensure hoisin is sugar-free
- Whole30/Paleo: Use coconut aminos, date paste instead of sugar, compliant hoisin or make your own
Expert Notes from a Former Yard House Line Cook
“The secret to authentic Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps is the double oil technique – avocado oil for cooking, sesame oil stirred in at the very end for that signature aroma. Also, the restaurant uses 93% lean chicken – too lean and it’s dry, too fatty and it’s greasy. 93% is perfect.”
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 385 | |
| Protein | 38g | |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | |
| Fiber | 4g | |
| Sugars | 12g | |
| Fat | 18g | |
| Sodium | 980mg | 43% |
Conclusion:
There you have it — the ultimate homemade Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe that tastes even better than the restaurant version and comes together in under 30 minutes! This easy, crowd-pleasing dish delivers the perfect balance of savory, sweet, crunchy, and fresh in every single bite. Whether you’re hosting friends, looking for a healthy weeknight dinner, or simply craving those iconic flavors without the wait (or the bill!), this Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe has you covered.
With tender seasoned chicken, that glossy signature sauce, crisp water chestnuts, and cool butter lettuce cups, every wrap is a flavor explosion. Best of all, this beginner-friendly Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe is completely customizable — make it spicier, lighter, vegetarian, or keto-friendly to suit your mood or diet.
Save this Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe to your favorites, because once your family tries it, they’ll be requesting it weekly. One taste and you’ll agree: why order takeout when the absolute best version is this simple homemade masterpiece? Fire up the skillet tonight — your new favorite meal is waiting!
Check out our blog for more recipes : The recipe taste
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The filling actually tastes better the next day. Cook the filling up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, then reheat and serve with fresh lettuce.
Q: What’s the best lettuce for chicken lettuce wraps?
A: Butter lettuce (also called Bibb or Boston) is 1 for its perfect cup shape and tender-crisp texture. Iceberg works great too for extra crunch. Avoid romaine – too stiff.
Q: Is this Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and make sure your hoisin is gluten-free (many brands aren’t).
Q: How do I prevent soggy lettuce wraps?
A: Keep filling and lettuce separate until serving. Pat lettuce dry thoroughly after washing, and serve filling warm (not piping hot).
Q: Can I bake instead of stir-fry?
A: You can! Spread the chicken mixture on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, stirring halfway, then toss with sauce. Slightly different texture but still delicious and hands-off.
Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet or wok
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Sharp chef’s knife
- 1 Sharp chef’s knife
- 1 Small bowls (3–4)
- 1 Measuring spoons & cups
- 1 Whisk or fork
- 1 Tongs or salad spinner
Ingredients
- Ground chicken
- Shiitake mushrooms finely diced
- Water chestnuts finely diced
- Yellow onion finely diced
- Garlic minced
- Fresh ginger minced
- Green onions sliced
- Avocado oil or vegetable oil
- Toasted sesame oil
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- Rice vinegar
- Brown sugar or honey
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- Cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, brown sugar/honey, and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside. Mix cornstarch with 1 Tbsp cold water in another small bowl for later thickening.
- Prep ingredients: Make sure everything is chopped super fine – this is key to the authentic Yard House Chicken Lettuce Wraps texture.
- Cook aromatics: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, white parts of green onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté 2–3 minutes until fragrant and onion is translucent.
- Brown the chicken: Add ground chicken. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
- Add vegetables: Stir in diced shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts. Cook another 3–4 minutes until mushrooms soften.
- Pour in sauce: Give the sauce another whisk and pour over the chicken mixture. Bring to a simmer.
- Thicken: Stir the cornstarch slurry once more, then pour into the pan. Cook 1–2 minutes until sauce is glossy and coats the chicken beautifully.
- Finish: Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil and green onion tops. Taste and adjust seasoning – more sriracha, soy, or sugar if desired.
- Serve: Spoon warm filling into lettuce cups. Top with crushed peanuts, extra green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.
