Sweet-&-Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
***This post is made in collaboration with Beeyond The Hive. All content, ideas and words are my own.***
These healthy Sweet-&-Spicy Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps come together so easily in the slow cooker. Filled with deliciously spiced chicken and loaded with tons of fresh toppings – your friends will go crazy for them! Serve as a main meal, or use the smaller lettuce cups as appetizers.
Are you looking for an easy, slow cooker recipe for spring? One that doesn’t take a lot of planning, effort, or skill, but delivers big on flavor and appeal?!?
These Sweet-&-Spicy Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps are nothing short of fantastic! We made these for the Super Bowl and have since made them a number of times. I just repurposed the meat from my Chipotle Honey Chicken Tacos (Slow Cooker) and created something new, bright and fresh.
I didn’t want these lettuce wraps to be too spicy though, so I only used two chipotle peppers. And with the addition of Beeyond The Hive honey it gives it that nice spicy-sweet balance. Specific notes are below.
*Fun Party Tip: you can fill and use the smaller, inner lettuce cups as appetizer portions. Your friends will go crazy for them!
Important Notes For These Sweet-&-Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps:
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce – If you’re looking for flavor without the spice, only add in the peppers and omit the sauce. (This is a great option for kiddos or for those that can’t tolerate spiciness).
- Slow Cooker Times – Whether you cook the meat on low or high, make sure to check the doneness at the 3 hour or 5-6 hour mark. If it is overcooked, it will taste dry and will have lost its bold flavor.
- Butter Lettuce – Gently pull each leaf from the core, and run under mild flowing water. Place them on a towel and pat dry with a second towel. (This lettuce is extremely delicate. Handle carefully because it can rip very easily).
Bon Appetit!
And, for more chicken recipes, please give these a try:
- Shredded Chicken Crunchy Tacos
- Creamy Coconut Cilantro-Lime Chicken
- Mediterranean Chicken Hummus Bowls
- Loaded Taco Salad Bowls
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Sweet-&-Spicy Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 + people 1x
Description
These healthy Sweet-&-Spicy Lettuce Wraps come together so easily in the slow cooker. Filled with deliciously spiced chicken and loaded with tons of fresh toppings – your friends will go crazy for them! Serve as a main meal, or use the smaller lettuce cups as appetizers.
Ingredients
- 3–4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts w/ Rib Meat, (equivalent to 2 lbs.)
- 1 Head of Butter Lettuce, pulled apart, washed and patted dry
- 1/2 cup Beeyond The Hive Raw Wildflower Honey
- 1 7 oz can Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (2 diced)
- 2 tsps Adobo Sauce
- 1 tsp McCormick Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp McCormick Chili Powder
- 1 tsp McCormick Paprika
- 1/2 tsp McCormick Garlic Salt
- 1/4 tsp McCormick Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Mahatma Jasmine White Rice, cooked
- Additional Toppings: Cilantro, diced mango, scallions, avocado slices, and lime wedges
Instructions
- Spice mixture: In a small dish, add all the spices and mix until thoroughly combined.
- Chicken: To a slow cooker, arrange the whole chicken breasts and completely coat both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture. Top with the diced chipotle peppers, sauce and honey.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 – 3 1/2 hours, or cook on low for 6 – 6 1/2 hours.
- Shred: Pull out the chicken and shred with two forks. Then add the meat back to the slow cooker and stir into the juices. (There will be quite a bit of liquid, but once the chicken is shredded and added back in it will be nicely absorbed).
- Rice: Prepare the rice according to package directions, about 20 minutes before serving.
- Assemble: When ready to assemble: Top each lettuce cup with rice, shredded meat and the toppings. Serve each plate with lime wedges.
Notes
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: If you’re looking for flavor without the spice, only add in the peppers and omit the sauce. (This is a great option for kiddos or for those that can’t tolerate spiciness).
- Slow Cooker Times: Whether you cook the meat on low or high, make sure to check the doneness at the 3 hour or 5-6 hour mark. If it is overcooked, it will taste dry and will have lost its bold flavor.
- Butter Lettuce: Gently pull each leaf from the core, and run under mild flowing water. Place them on a towel and pat dry with a second towel. (This lettuce is extremely delicate. Handle carefully because it can rip very easily).
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken, Chicken Recipes, Fruit, Gluten-Free Recipes, Healthy, Honey, Lettuce Recipes, Main Dish, Meat, Slow Cooker Recipes, Vegetable
NOTE:
- The Marble & Wood Cheese Board featured here is from Williams Sonoma.
- Here is a similar option for porcelain measuring cups: Portmeirion Sophie Conran White Measuring Cups which are from Amazon.
These look so delicious!
And they taste even better too! Give them a try, and let me know what you think. 😉
This looks absolutely delishhh!!
Thanks Amy! These wraps are so popular in my house. They are requested frequently! 😉
Absolutely one of my favorites!
Mine too! It is so dang good!!!!
So I am absolutely obsessed with lettuce wraps. I am constantly trying to eat less carbs (hello bathing suit season) and these are always a perfect option. And I have to say, adding honey and giving them a touch of sweetness really makes for an awesome balanced dish.
I couldn’t agree with you more, girlfriend!!!
And I love adding honey to this recipe. Speaking of which, if you love honey, please check out that specific link. Beeyond The Hive Honey is the BEST I have ever had. The taste is like nothing else!
Girl!!! I’m making this this weekend. I’m off carbs for the moment, but these, these I can eat!
Do it girl! These wraps are truly amazing! And I am so proud of the recipe. (The last time I made them, I shared it between two households and everyone went nuts for them. I had immediate requests for a second go around). LOL!
It’s one thing to see Naomi’s beautiful photos of food! It’s the ultimate treat to siti n her kitchen and eat her creations. This recipe is absolutely amazing! What a wonderful meal. And the kids ate 3 without thinking!
Awe, thank you so much Pat! I love to cook for you when you are here. It is such a treat! I’m happy you loved it.