P.F. CHANG'S LETTUCE WRAP RECIPE (COPYCAT)
Have you tried the Chicken Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang's? I've got the best copycat recipe for you today! Finely diced chicken thighs are sautéed with shiitake mushrooms in a killer Asian-inspired sauce, then nestled into butter lettuce leaves and garnished with fried rice noodles. It is a super easy, fast, and TASTY weeknight meal. The perfect dish for when you are going low carb!
Provided by Karen
Categories Main Course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- Prep the chicken. First things first, if you are using thawed chicken, place it in the freezer so that it is easier to chop later. If you have completely frozen chicken, take it out of the freezer to start thawing. You want to chop partially-thawed chicken.
- Rehydrate the shiitake mushrooms.* Add 2 ounces DRIED mushrooms to a medium bowl and cover with very hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes. Once they are softened, squeeze out as much water as you can and place on a cutting board. Chop off the stems and discard (they are too tough). Chop the mushrooms into small pieces, see photos. You should end up with about 1 and 3/4 cup mushrooms, about 7-8 ounces. Set aside.
- Prepare the vegetables. Meanwhile, drain the 8 ounce can of water chestnuts and chop them into small pieces. Smash and mince 1 tablespoon garlic. Peel a knob of ginger with a spoon (it's easier than a peeler) and mince 1 tablespoon. Set aside.
- Assemble the filling sauce. In a small bowl add 1/4 cup cold water, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons aji mirin**, 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Stir together and set aside.
- Chop the chicken. Once your chicken is partially frozen (if it's still rock hard, you can put it in the microwave in 30-second increments until it is chop-able), use a chef's knife to chop the chicken into very small pieces. Smaller than you have ever chopped chicken before, probably. See photos. You want them to be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch dice. It doesn't need to be perfect, but the smaller your chicken pieces, the more homogenous your wrap filling will be. It's all about the texture in this recipe. Seal the still-partially frozen chicken pieces in a ziplock, place in a medium bowl, and cover with water. The chicken should be thawed out within 10-20 minutes. Do not cook the chicken until it's completely thaw.
- While the chicken thaws, fry the rice sticks. This step is optional but delicious. In a 3 quart pot, heat 2 inches frying oil to about 400 degrees (I set my burner to just above medium heat.) It will take several minutes for the oil to come to temperature. Use a thermometer to see the temperature.
- Break off a small handful of rice sticks and carefully drop it into the oil. Within 2-3 seconds, they will rise to the top of the oil. They will be puffy and huge compared to what you dropped in. It's so fun! Remove the puffed rice sticks to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Continue the process until you have as much as you think you will want to eat on your wraps. Set the oil on a back burner to cool.***
- Cook the filling. Heat a wok (best), cast iron skillet (better), or large skillet (ok) over medium high heat. (You want to cook over very high heat; woks are best for this. I don't have one, so I used cast iron). Once the pan is very hot, add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil and 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil.
- Add the diced chicken and stir constantly until thoroughly cooked. Season with 1 and 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. It will only take 2-3 minutes to cook. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Keep the heat on medium high. Add another 1 tablespoon neutral oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. When hot, add in the mushrooms and water chestnuts. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add in 1 tablespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger and saute for another 1 minute.
- Return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Add the prepared sauce to the chicken and mushrooms. Lower the heat to medium and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Chop 4 green onions. Set aside a small amount to add as a fresh garnish to each wrap. Add the remaining green onions to the pan and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 4 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Chinese hot mustard, 1 to 2 teaspoons oyster sauce (taste it!) and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil. Whisk it together.
- Assemble the wraps. Carefully remove the core of the butter lettuce from the head, and clean each butter lettuce leaf. There is a LOT of debris in butter lettuce, so take your time washing each leaf. Lay on paper towels to dry. (You can also try iceberg lettuce.)
- Place a handful of fried rice sticks in each lettuce leaf. Top with a spoonful of warm chicken and mushroom filling. Sprinkle with fresh green onions. Devour!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 g, Calories 552 kcal, Fat 31 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 111 mg, Sodium 2779 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 16 g, Protein 25 g, TransFat 0.1 g, UnsaturatedFat 23 g
LETTUCE WRAPS
Steps:
- In a small bowl, stir together the hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Press the tofu between paper towels to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Refresh the paper towels and press again. Heat the 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Once the oil is hot, crumble in the tofu, breaking it into very small pieces as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, then add the diced mushrooms. Continue cooking until any remaining tofu liquid cooks off and the tofu starts to turn golden, about 3 minutes more. Stir in the water chestnuts, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and half of the green onions and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds more.
- Pour the sauce over the top of the tofu mixture and stir to coat. Cook just until you hear bubbling and the sauce is warmed through, 30 to 60 seconds.
- Spoon the tofu mixture into individual lettuce leaves. Top with remaining green onions, grated carrots, and additional red pepper flakes as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 4), Calories 169 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 11 g, Sugar 8 g, UnsaturatedFat 4 g
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PF Chang's is a popular restaurant chain that offers a range of Asian-inspired dishes. One of their most popular appetizers is the Lettuce Wraps, which are made with a delicious blend of vegetables, protein, and a signature sauce. Many people try to recreate these Lettuce Wraps at home by searching for copycat recipes, but there is something special about the actual PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Recipe. In this article, we will discuss what makes the actual recipe stand out from the copycat versions.
The Ingredients
One of the key differences between the actual PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Recipe and the copycat recipes is the use of quality ingredients. PF Chang's uses fresh and high-quality ingredients in their recipe, such as water chestnuts, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. These ingredients are not only flavorful but also provide a unique texture to the dish. In addition, PF Chang's uses a special hoisin sauce that cannot be found in a typical grocery store. This sauce is made with a blend of soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and spices, giving it a rich and bold flavor.
The Preparation Process
Another factor that makes the actual PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Recipe different from copycat versions is the preparation process. PF Chang's chefs follow a specific process to ensure that the Lettuce Wraps are cooked to perfection. The vegetables are chopped into uniform size, the meat is finely minced, and the ingredients are cooked for the right amount of time to retain their texture and flavor. The Lettuce Wraps are then assembled with precision, with each ingredient perfectly placed to create a beautiful presentation. This attention to detail is what sets the actual recipe apart from copycat versions that may not follow the same process.
The Seasonings
The actual PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Recipe also includes a unique blend of seasonings that cannot be replicated in a copycat recipe. PF Chang's uses a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice wine vinegar to season the vegetables and meat. These seasonings give the dish a savory and umami flavor that is hard to recreate at home. In addition, PF Chang's uses a touch of sugar to balance out the saltiness of the dish, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
The Presentation
Finally, the presentation of the Lettuce Wraps is a key factor that sets the actual PF Chang's recipe apart from copycat versions. PF Chang's serves the Lettuce Wraps on a large plate, with the lettuce leaves arranged neatly around the plate and the filling placed in the center. The dish is then topped with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and green onions, adding a touch of color and crunch to the dish. This presentation not only looks beautiful but also showcases the care and attention to detail that goes into every PF Chang's dish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the actual PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Recipe is a unique and flavorful dish that cannot be replicated with copycat recipes. From the high-quality ingredients to the precise preparation process and unique blend of seasonings, there are several factors that set the actual recipe apart from imitations. If you want to experience the true taste of PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps, it is worth visiting one of their locations or trying the recipe from their cookbook, which shares the same recipe that is used in the restaurants.