Healthy & Easy Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps: A Low-Carb, High-Protein Delight
Imagine your favorite orange chicken, but transformed into a healthier, lighter, and equally delicious meal that fuels your body without the guilt. That’s precisely what these incredible Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps offer! They are remarkably easy to make, light, and bursting with vibrant citrus flavor. Crafted with lean ground chicken and nestled into crisp lettuce cups, this dish stands out as a low-carb, high-protein, and incredibly satisfying option for any lunch or dinner. Get ready to embrace a meal that’s as good for you as it tastes!
If you’re anything like us, you’re constantly on the hunt for delicious, healthy meals that fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle. And these orange chicken lettuce wraps are not just “a thing” – they’re a *big* thing in our kitchen! This recipe takes everything you love about classic orange chicken and gives it a fresh, nutritious twist. We’re talking about perfectly sautéed ground chicken, generously coated in a homemade orange chicken sauce that truly shines. What makes our sauce special? It’s made with 100% real, no-sugar-added orange juice, combined with freshly grated orange zest, ensuring that authentic, bright orange flavor permeates every single bite. To elevate the citrus experience even further, we top these wraps with tiny mandarin oranges, creating a symphony of sweet and tangy notes.
These ground chicken lettuce wraps aren’t just a healthy alternative to the often heavy and sugar-laden orange chicken you might find at your favorite Chinese restaurant; they’re a revelation. Dare we say that orange chicken was always meant to be enjoyed wrapped in crisp, refreshing butter lettuce, and we are only just now discovering its true destiny? This innovative approach transforms a beloved comfort food into a light, vibrant, and satisfying meal that you can feel great about eating.
Fueling Your Day with Low-Carb, High-Protein Goodness
Adopting a healthier lifestyle can be a fun and motivating journey, especially when you have delicious meals like these orange chicken lettuce wraps to support your goals. For instance, if you’ve been following our culinary adventures (perhaps on social media!), you’d know that my husband, Anees, and I recently embarked on a Fitbit challenge. While for many, this might simply mean a couple trying to get healthier and walk more, in our household, it’s game on! Fitbit’s challenge feature only intensified our friendly competition. After just one week, we were literally neck and neck, checking each other’s progress countless times a day. Though our competitive spirit might not be everyone’s definition of “healthy,” it certainly pushed us to walk more than usual. So, I’m calling that a definite success!
As we stay active and mindful of our well-being, these healthy chicken lettuce wraps have become my ultimate go-to lunch. I’ve been loving the incredible amount of sustained energy I experience when my midday meal is packed with real protein and kept low in carbohydrates. It took me half of my twenties to truly understand that heavy carbs at lunchtime often led to feeling tired, sleepy, and unmotivated around the 3-5 PM mark. By opting for a low-carb lunch, like these flavorful wraps, I avoid that dreaded afternoon slump, allowing me to maintain my energy levels and productivity throughout the entire day. This means I have tons of enthusiasm and energy to continue developing and testing all sorts of delicious recipes for all of us to enjoy!
The Versatility of Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Lunch, Dinner & Meal Prep
While these wraps are an excellent choice for a revitalizing lunch, their versatility extends far beyond. Orange chicken lettuce wraps also make for an ideal, quick, and satisfying dinner. One of my favorite aspects of this recipe is how perfectly it fits into your weekly meal prep routine. Whether you dedicate your Sundays or Mondays to preparing meals for the week ahead, these wraps are your culinary ally. The flavors of the homemade orange chicken actually deepen and intensify as the filling sits, making the leftovers even more delicious than the freshly made batch. I often prepare a large quantity earlier in the week, and we enjoy them for dinner a few nights later. Even if you forget to top them with fresh mandarin oranges, the rich orange flavor from the juice and zest beautifully carries through.
For those who love an extra textural dimension, consider adding a sprinkle of crispy wonton strips on top of your wraps. You can usually find these next to the croutons at your local grocery store. My husband, for example, is all about that satisfying crunch, and wonton strips deliver it perfectly. Don’t underestimate how a simple addition can elevate the entire eating experience!
Customizing Your Wraps for Every Palate
One of the beauties of this orange chicken lettuce wrap recipe is its adaptability to different preferences and dietary needs. If you have little ones (or even some adults!) who tend to shy away from anything green, which is a common scenario, you can easily serve the flavorful orange chicken filling on a bed of fluffy white or brown rice. This ensures everyone at the table gets a nutritious and delicious meal. To make it an even more filling and well-rounded dish, consider adding sliced bell peppers and matchstick carrots on top. Not only do these vegetables boost the nutritional content, but they also introduce a delightful extra crunch to the entire dish.
Furthermore, feel free to swap out the ground chicken for another protein if you prefer. Ground turkey is an excellent lean alternative that works beautifully with the orange sauce. I typically use ground chicken breast for a leaner option, but if you enjoy the richer flavor of dark meat, ground chicken thighs would add an extra layer of deliciousness to your filling. For those exploring plant-based options, crumbled tofu or tempeh could also be adapted with this flavorful sauce.
Don’t let the start of a busy week get you down. Seriously, let’s kick off even the “worst day of the week” with a truly healthy, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal that sets a positive tone. These aren’t just any wraps; these are your go-to solution for a flavorful, guilt-free eating experience. So, when hunger strikes and you need a meal that delivers on taste, nutrition, and convenience, remember: ORANGE CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS TO THE RESCUE!
Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
5 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
Easy to make, light and healthy orange chicken lettuce wraps! The ground chicken tastes just like a healthier version of orange chicken and being in lettuce wraps means it’s a low carb, high protein, filling meal for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
Orange Chicken Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH ground ginger AND red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons water AND 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
Chicken Filling:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound ground chicken (turkey or beef works too)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can mandarin oranges (fresh cutie slices work too)
- Chopped scallions, lettuce leaves AND toasted sesame seeds for decorating
Instructions
- ORANGE CHICKEN SAUCE: Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a mason jar. Secure the lid and give it a few good shakes until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the brown sugar has dissolved. Pour the prepared sauce into a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Once the sauce begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and allow it to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the sauce to thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the stove and allow the sauce to cool slightly, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
- CHICKEN FILLING: Heat the tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken to the hot skillet and use a wooden spoon to break down any large lumps, ensuring it browns evenly. Add the minced garlic to the chicken and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Drizzle the cooked chicken with the prepared orange chicken sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly. Let the mixture cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to glaze the chicken. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the filling to cool for several minutes before scooping it into fresh lettuce leaves. Garnish generously with mandarin orange slices and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Have you made this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!
IS THIS A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOU?
It’s important to note that the nutritional facts displayed here are for a single chicken lettuce wrap, including the lettuce cup. Depending on your hunger level and individual dietary needs, you might comfortably enjoy 2-3 wraps per meal. This recipe is designed to yield enough delicious filling to generously feed a family of four, making it a fantastic option for a healthy and satisfying family dinner or a week’s worth of lunches.
