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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Main Dish » Chicken and Poultry

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    Published: by

    Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Lettuce Wraps

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Easy Chicken and Rice Wraps Pinterest Pin
    Chicken Rice Lettuce Wraps Pinterest pin
    chicken and rice lettuce wraps pin image

    Lettuce Wraps filled with tender chicken, and rice take summer eating to a whole new level. Tangy rice, crunchy nuts, currents and olives are wrapped in soft green leaves to make a fun-to-eat meal.


    Chicken and rice in blue and white bowl overhead

    Your tastebuds will thank you for making these simple chicken lettuce wraps. So will your husband, kids, friends, aunts, uncles, cousin Jimmy, even your neighbors! Gratitude all around.

    Jump to:
    • Use rotisserie chicken
    • Picnic meal
    • Chicken-and-Rice Lettuce Wraps

    This protein-style meal is no ordinary dinner. It's healthy, light, satisfying and delicious. The best part, it's very sharable.

    A light vinaigrette covers a bit of rice, rotisserie chicken, olive, sweet currents and crunchy walnuts. You can eat this lovely mixture over a salad, or in lettuce cups as wraps.

    P.F. Chang's chicken lettuce wraps

    I love the lettuce wraps recipe at PF Chang's. I do, I'm not ashamed.

    I also love bo ssam here in NY at Momofuku. It's their roast pork dinner served family style with delicious fixings you stuff in a soft lettuce leaf.

    Taking those as my inspiration, I created this quick recipe with summer vibes, and much less prep.

    I love lettuce wraps and have more recipes for you to enjoy:

    • Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
    • Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps
    • Grilled Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

    Use rotisserie chicken

    One glorious aspect of chicken and rice lettuce wraps is you can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken leftover from the weekend, or just poach chicken breasts as you prepare the other ingredients.

    Rice is a no-brainer, taking just minutes to cook. Chop the other ingredients and shred your chicken as it simmers.

    Closeup of Mediterranean chicken

    This is a Mediterranean take on Asian chicken lettuce wraps

    Mediterranean chicken lettuce wraps include different flavors than your typical Asian lettuce wrap recipe.

    I love all the layers of flavor that come from mixing crunchy walnuts, sweet currents, savory scallions and shallots with brined kalamata olives.

    A red wine and honey vinaigrette gets tossed on the salad while the rice is still warm. This allows the rice to absorb all the flavors, creating a dish that doesn't need any extra sauce.

    These Mediterranean lettuce wraps are delish served while the salad is warm, but room temp is also tasty - making this a genius picnic meal.

    Oh! I hear Central Park calling my name. I'm taking this on my summer outings! Truthfully it's a secret way I trick myself into eating salad. Wrapping my salad in a lettuce leaf is way more fun than eating it with a fork!

    Picnic meal

    Eat these Mediterranean lettuce wraps warm or at room temperature.

    You can make this ahead, and refrigerate it, but be aware the rice gets that hard, cold thing going on once chilled, so give it a little spin in the microwave to soften the rice.

    Get creative too. Swap the olives for red bell pepper or the currants for fresh grapes. Make this salad your own and enjoy.

    Chicken and Rice Lettuce Wraps round bowl

    Chicken-and-Rice Lettuce Wraps

    Tara Teaspoon
    Chicken Lettuce Wraps filled with Mediterranean flavors take summer eating to a whole new level. Tangy rice, crunchy nuts, currents and olives are wrapped in soft green leaves to make a fun-to-eat meal.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 262 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups cooked basmati rice
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts
    • ⅓ cup dried currants
    • 1 shallot minced
    • 1 scallion white and green parts sliced
    • 5 kalamata olives minced
    • 1½ cups shredded cooked chicken
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • Butter lettuce leaves

    Instructions
     

    • Mix together the warm rice, walnuts, currants, shallot, scallion, olives and shredded chicken.
    • In another bowl whisk together the vinegar, salt, lemon zest, honey and olive oil. Toss vinaigrette with the rice mixture and stir in the parsley.
    • Serve warm or room temperature. Spoon salad into lettuce leaves, wrap and eat!

    Notes

    You can make this ahead, and refrigerate it, but be aware the rice gets that hard, cold thing going on once chilled, so give it a little spin in the microwave to soften the rice.
    Get creative too. Swap the olives for red bell pepper or the currants for fresh grapes. Make this salad your own and enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 251mgPotassium: 242mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 255IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

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    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe and Photos Tara Teaspoon.

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    Filed Under: Chicken and Poultry, Healthy + Diet, Mediterranean, Sandwiches and Burgers Tagged With: chicken, dinner, healthy, lunch, picnic, protein, rice, salad, vinaigrette

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      July 19, 2018 at 6:39 pm

      What a great idea! Tasty!

      Reply
    2. Ben says

      February 04, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      I love all the flavors here. I've recently gotten on a huge wrap kick, so I can't wait to give this one a try.

      Reply
    3. Veena Azmanov says

      February 05, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      Amazing flavors, delicious combination and a Happy meal option too.

      Reply
    4. Bernice Hill says

      February 07, 2020 at 12:56 am

      What a nice, quick recipe. I haven't been to PF Changs or Momofuku but I sure do love lettuce wraps. They are so versatile and make the perfect quick light dinner.

      Reply
    5. Veronika says

      February 07, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      What a great idea for lunch! Easy to make, healthy and so tasty! Thank for the idea, will make it this weekend!

      Reply
    6. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      February 08, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      I love lettuce wraps. Its me favorite appetizer and this one looks so welcoming. definitely trying it.

      Reply
    7. Uma Srinivas says

      February 09, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      Looks like this rice is full of flavors and I love the addition of lettuce. Never ate rice with lettuce leaves.

      Reply
    8. Paula Montenegro says

      February 09, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      This recipe comes so handily since I always, always, always have rotisserie chicken leftovers! Beautiful idea and flavors! Thanks for sharing. Will be making it asap!

      Reply
    9. Jacqui DeBono says

      February 09, 2020 at 3:25 pm

      Such a good use for chicken leftovers and I love adding the rice to make it a filling but healthy meal.

      Reply
    10. Jenni LeBaron says

      February 09, 2020 at 11:42 pm

      These chicken and walnut lettuce wraps are so delicious! My favorite part is the walnuts and currents because they give such great flavor and texture to make the dish extra special!

      Reply
    11. Mary says

      February 24, 2020 at 10:01 pm

      This recipe is absolutely wonderful! My family loves them - a real favorite at our house! Love these little wraps!!!

      Reply
    12. Veena Azmanov says

      February 26, 2020 at 2:49 am

      Love your delicious recipe. My family to relish every bite for sure. Flavorful.

      Reply
    13. Danielle says

      February 26, 2020 at 6:17 am

      I have a lot of chicken to use, so I have been looking for a good recipe for it. Here it is! 🙂 Love how easy this recipe is, and I bet it is super fun, too.

      Reply
    14. Kelly Anthony says

      February 28, 2020 at 8:55 am

      I'm always looking for healthy dinner and lunch options and these chicken and rice lettuce wraps look perfect.

      Reply
    15. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      February 28, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Ah! i can't get enough of lettuces wraps. I always have lettuce in my refrigerator so definitely making this for lunch tomorrow.

      Reply
    16. Kay says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:00 am

      Always on the look out for new ideas, this one is great! Tastes delicious!

      Reply
    17. Marisa F. Stewart says

      February 29, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      What a great way to enjoy a sandwich without all of the calories of the bread. I like the addition of the rice for a little bit more heartiness. A great spring and summer dish.

      Reply
    18. Leslie says

      February 29, 2020 at 4:46 pm

      I haven't had a lettuce wrap that I haven't loved! Haha.. I've never had one with rice before. Sounds perfect!

      Reply
    19. Daniela says

      March 01, 2020 at 9:51 pm

      Yum! These chicken and rice lettuce wraps seem so perfect for the upcoming spring and summer months! Love the idea of wrapping in lettuce.

      Reply
    20. Nicole says

      March 02, 2020 at 11:44 am

      I love just about anything Meditteranean! These lettuce cups look great!

      Reply
    21. Mary Bostow says

      March 02, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      This would be so perfect to take to work for lunch, wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    22. Natalie L says

      May 11, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      This looks like the perfect meal I can take on a picnic! I love the Rotisserie chicken idea as well. I'm always looking for fast shortcuts to make healthy food during the week.

      Reply
    23. Jessica Formicola says

      June 03, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      I'm getting tired of eating lunch meat sandwiches every day for lunch, so I can't wait to try these wraps out! They look great!

      Reply
    24. Heidy says

      June 03, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      I am in the process of making these Chicken-and-Rice Lettuce Wraps, and they small outstanding! I can't wait until they are done. Even my husband is bugging me to hurry the process up, lol! I bet these are going to be delicious!

      Reply
    25. Frank says

      June 03, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      Chicken and rice are always a great combination and this recipe really showcases that!!

      Reply
    26. Anjali says

      June 03, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      These lettuce wraps were light and healthy but still super filling! They were perfect for lunch today!

      Reply
    27. Kay says

      June 03, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      I am trying to cut out my bread intake so had this chicken and rice wrapped in lettuce for lunch today! Got enough left for my husband and I to have tomorrow too!

      Reply

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