Description
These Pesto Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a quick and healthy meal option that combines flavorful pesto-marinated chicken with fresh veggies, all wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pesto Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 1/4 cup prepared pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembling:
- 1 large head of butter lettuce (or romaine lettuce), leaves separated and washed
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (optional)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable plastic bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- Heat the Pan: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to the pan.
- Cook the Chicken: Carefully place the marinated chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the Chicken: After resting, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips or cubes.
- Prepare the Lettuce Cups: Gently separate the lettuce leaves from the head of lettuce. Wash them thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Fill the Lettuce Cups: Place a few slices or cubes of the pesto chicken into each lettuce cup.
- Add the Toppings: Top the chicken with halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese (if using). If you’re using toasted pine nuts, sprinkle them on top as well.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze (Optional): Drizzle a small amount of balsamic glaze over the lettuce wraps.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the pesto chicken lettuce wraps immediately.
Notes
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pesto marinade for a little kick.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the lettuce wraps, such as diced bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded carrots.
- Use Different Cheese: If you’re not a fan of feta cheese, try using goat cheese, mozzarella, or Parmesan cheese instead.
- Make it Ahead: You can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat it before assembling the lettuce wraps.
- Homemade Pesto: For the best flavor, use homemade pesto.
- Grilling Option: Instead of cooking the chicken in a skillet, you can grill it. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Chicken Thighs: You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and tend to stay more moist.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished lettuce wraps adds a bright and zesty flavor.
- Avocado: Diced avocado is a great addition to these lettuce wraps, adding creaminess and healthy fats.
- Different Lettuce Types: While butter lettuce is my favorite for lettuce wraps, you can also use romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, or even large collard green leaves.
- Nut Allergy Alternative: If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the pine nuts or substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Dairy-Free Option: To make this recipe dairy-free, simply omit the feta cheese and use a dairy-free pesto.
- Low-Carb Meal: These lettuce wraps are naturally low in carbohydrates, making them a great option for those following a low-carb or keto diet.
- Meal Prep Friendly: You can easily meal prep these lettuce wraps by preparing the chicken and toppings ahead of time and storing them separately. Assemble the wraps just before serving.
- Leftovers: Leftover pesto chicken can be used in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Fry, Assemble
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lettuce wrap
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Pesto Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Healthy Chicken Wraps, Pesto Chicken Recipe, Lettuce Wrap Recipe
