Delicious lettuce wraps filled with chunks of chicken seasoned with jerk seasoning, fresh mango and cilantro and a few chopped peanuts makes a perfect light dinner.
These Jamaican Jerk Chicken Lettuce Wraps are fast, easy and delicious and can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
Perfect for a lighter dinner
Sometimes I just really want something light and delicious for dinner. During hot summer days I am looking for meals with lots of fresh flavors.
These Jamaican Jerk Chicken Lettuce Wraps are perfect for dinner. They are made quickly and are just filling enough to make you feel satisfied.
My meat and potatoes loving husband absolutely loved these wraps and he quickly snagged all the leftovers for his lunch the next day! Even though he loves a full hearty meal, he craves a lighter meal from time to time and he loved these wraps.
The jerk seasoning adds just a touch of heat and a ton of flavor. I've paired the chicken with fresh mango, but a fresh peach would also be perfect.
A fresh squeeze of lime and a little cilantro will leave you feel like you've traveled to the caribbean!
Key ingredients
- Chicken - I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thigh meat could also be used.
- Jerk Seasoning - make your own or buy premixed from store
- Mango - Fresh mango or use fresh peaches. They add a touch of sweetness.
- Peanuts - I used dry roasted peanuts. They add a bit of salty crunch.
- Lettuce Leaves - Any large lettuce leaves work - Bib lettuce, Iceberg or Romaine
- Toppings - Green onions, fresh cilantro and freshly squeezed lime juice
Step by step directions
- Chop mango, peanuts, green onions and cilantro. Place in separate bowls.
- Slice limes into wedges
- Wash lettuce and separate into individual leaves
- Cut chicken into one inch pieces
- Coat with jerk seasoning and stir well making certain all pieces and sides are well covered
- Cook chicken in a heated pan over medium heat with about 1 tablespoon of oil
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes and then stir to rotate meat
- Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through
- Remove from heat and serve in a bowl. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before assembling wraps.
- Place lettuce leaf on a plate. Top with chicken, and a small amount of mango, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro. Squeeze a lime wedge over the top.
Recipe tips
- Chop your chicken into small evenly sized pieces so they will cook evenly
- Assemble all the topping in small bowl so everyone can make their own wraps
- Allow the chicken to cool for a few minutes before assembling. If too hot, the chicken will wilt the lettuce.
- If lettuce leaves are too small, just use 2-3 overlapping leaves
Variations and substitutions
- Instead of serving in a lettuce wrap, serve over rice
- Add everything to salad and top with a lemon vinaigrette
- Use peaches instead of mango
- Use your favorite type of nut in place of the peanuts
- Add sliced jalapenos or other hot pepper
- Keep chicken breasts whole and grill whole breast on an outdoor grill. After fully cooked, chop and serve.
More delicious chicken dishes
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Be certain to check out all my main dish recipes!
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head Bib lettuce
- 1 Mango (or peach)
- 2 tablespoons dry roasted peanuts
- 2 green onions
- 1-2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
- 1 lime
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tablespoon jerk seasoning
- 1 tablespoon oil (canola or vegetable)
Instructions
- Wash lettuce and separate into individual leaves1 head Bib lettuce
- Chop mango, peanuts, green onions and cilantro. Place in separate bowls.1 Mango, 2 tablespoons dry roasted peanuts, 2 green onions, 1-2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
- Slice limes into wedges1 lime
- Cut chicken into one inch pieces2 chicken breasts
- Coat with jerk seasoning and stir well making certain all pieces and sides are well covered2 tablespoon jerk seasoning
- Cook chicken in a heated pan over medium heat with about 1 tablespoon of oil1 tablespoon oil
- Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes and then stir to rotate meat
- Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through
- Remove from heat and serve in a bowl. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before assembling wraps.
- Place lettuce leaf on a plate. Top with chicken, and a small amount of mango, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro. Squeeze a lime wedge over the top.
Notes
- Chop your chicken into small evenly sized pieces so they will cook evenly
- Assemble all the topping in small bowl so everyone can make their own wraps
- Allow the chicken to cool for a few minutes before assembling. If too hot, the chicken will wilt the lettuce.
- If lettuce leaves are too small, just use 2-3 overlapping leaves
- Instead of serving in a lettuce wrap, serve over rice
- Add everything to salad and top with a lemon vinaigrette
- Use peaches instead of mango
- Use your favorite type of nut in place of the peanuts
- Add sliced jalapenos or other hot pepper
- Keep chicken breasts whole and grill whole breast on an outdoor grill. After fully cooked, chop and serve.
Valentina says
How delicious. Love the jerk spice mix, and I'm going to make some to fill a jar and have on hand. With two gluten-free eaters, we love wrapping things in lettuce over here. And the fresh lettuce sounds perfect with the spiced chicken and sweet mango. 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced says
What a great lunch recipe for summer, Kathy! I love the addition of mango and peanuts in there. And using your own homemade jerk seasoning? Yes, please! I need to up my lunch game! 🙂