Kimchi Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Name: Kimchi Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 tightly packed cups store-bought or homemade kimchi (about 10 ounces); 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil; 1 pound ground chicken (preferably dark meat); Salt and black pepper; 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce, plus more for serving; Lettuce leaves (preferably 2 heads bibb lettuce or 1 large head red-leaf lettuce); 3 to 4 cups warm cooked short-grain rice

By Alexa Weibel

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Kimchi Chicken Lettuce Wraps — Nico Schinco for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rating: 5(480)
Notes: Read community notes

For the fastest path to deliciousness, select ingredients that punch above their weight. This weeknight recipe leans on just five primary ingredients — ground chicken, lettuce and rice form the foundation; kimchi adds depth and hoisin lends sweetness — for a fresh spread that cooks in just 15 minutes. Bracing and assertive, kimchi doesn’t slip into this dish; it dominates. Though each jar of kimchi is unique, its salty, spicy and tangy notes reign. You’ll cook off a portion of the chopped fermented cabbage with the chicken, taming its taste and texture, then use the remainder as a garnish. To offset kimchi’s assertiveness, the chicken is glazed with hoisin sauce, which adds sweetness, color and glossiness. Set the chicken mixture, kimchi, lettuce and rice in separate bowls for tableside assembly — less work for the cook, more fun for the guests.

or to save this recipe.
Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
Subscribe
Share
Print Options
Include recipe photo

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

1½tightly packed cups store-bought or homemade kimchi (about 10 ounces)
2tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1pound ground chicken (preferably dark meat)
Salt and black pepper
3tablespoons hoisin sauce, plus more for serving
Lettuce leaves (preferably 2 heads bibb lettuce or 1 large head red-leaf lettuce)
3 to 4cups warm cooked short-grain rice

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Finely chop the kimchi (or pulse in a food processor); transfer about two-thirds to a small serving bowl, reserving the remainder for the chicken.
Step 2
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook, crumbling it occasionally with a spoon, until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the hoisin sauce and then the reserved kimchi, and stir occasionally until chicken is glossy and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Add the chicken mixture, lettuce leaves and rice to separate serving bowls. Assemble lettuce wraps by first adding a spoonful of rice, then chicken mixture and then kimchi; devour swiftly. Serve with more hoisin, if desired, for extra sweetness.

Ratings

5 out of 5

480 user ratings

Have you cooked this?

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Teddi8 months ago

I am wondering if this couldn't be made into a salad. Cook the chicken as directed and combine with chopped kimchi. Toss it with a little rice and appropriate amount of lettuce. Less messy to eat.

tyler8 months ago

Was a wonderful way to repurpose leftover chicken. I added toasted cashews and cilantro for color and crunch. Delicious

IreneM8 months ago

Used the recipe as written except I squeezed lime on the wrap. It was too sweet for me. Next time I will add onions and jalapeños to the chicken and use only 2 tablespoons of hoisin and keep the addition of lime juice.

Josh8 months ago

This recipe harnesses some of my favorite elements: Simple, tasty, and quick. While there is a whole lot of room to improvise if you so choose, this dish is bang on as is.

Amanda Enclade8 months ago

I made this with ground dark turkey, kimchi from Costco and hoisin sauce from Whole Foods. It was soooooo good!! Will be a regular at my house. And Anyone can make it— easy!

Carol8 months ago

I loved how fast and easy this was. I used chicken breast as this was all I had in the house, and it has way less fat than dark meat. The 2T of oil was too much, but added the fat the breast meat lacked. Homemade kimchi and lettuce from the garden made this especially delish. I did not use rice as I didn't want the empty carbs. This was really good, healthy, and filling.

Duxnpux8 months ago

The key to this dish is ingredients-all of which are mercurial, and flexibility. If you are rigid recipe follower looking for a 5 star result, back away and query another dish. Forgive the author if it doesn’t suit you and adjust. This is a quick-to-assemble, healthy weeknight dinner. Depending on the brand of hoisin sauce you choose, it may be sweeter or more savory, likewise with the kimchi it may be spicier, more or less acidic, or in need of an herbal note like cilantro. Be grateful.

live your life5 days ago

@Teddi that’s what I did to serve my toddler. Mixed the chicken and rice without additional kimchi and with shredded lettuce. But I think making a ssam (wrap) is part of the fun of this dish so adults did just that. Loved by all!

Ali3 weeks ago

Yum, yum, yum! Perfect for a quick dinner. I added a little coriander and sesame to make her pretty but she didn't need the extra embellishment - she was gorgeous as written!

caitlin2 months ago

delicious! I’ve made this many times now, for myself as a quick lunch on a lettuce base, or for dinner for me and my boyfriend in the lettuce wrap form. healthy & fast. this will be in heavy rotation in our house for a long time.

A R2 months ago

added some roasted salted peanuts for a crunch

Koby2 months ago

Pretty good for such a simple recipe. I used ground pork and threw in some sliced shallot before the pork and it worked great. My main observation is even with the shallot it’s missing a textural component. I think I’ll toss in some water chestnuts next time as well

RBCinNYC3 months ago

I prefer to make my own ground chicken--just quarter some boneless skinless chicken breasts and pulse in the food processor until chopped. Much better flavor and texture than the pre-gound pasty stuff!

Michele4 months ago

Cooked as directed. It was super simple, tasty, and my son asked for seconds so it’s definitely a keeper!

Simone4 months ago

So easy and so flavorful and healthy. Great go-to easy weeknight dinner!

madbad5 months ago

Double to have leftovers for lunches

Heather N.6 months ago

So tasty - I chopped a can of water chestnuts and added it to the chicken for crunch it was delightful!

Rachel6 months ago

For a vegan version I used quorn and chopped mushrooms in place of chicken

Cedric7 months ago

Fantastic recipe. Replaced the chicken with 1/2 veal and 1/2 pork and it really upped the flavor. The kimchi both in the chicken and then cold on top is a delightful finisher.

Jennine7 months ago

Great vegan dish with these changes: dice 6 oz. portobello mush. caps and mince clove of garlic, sauté them together; add Garden ground be’f instead of meat; add 2T hoisin (3 is too sweet); sprinkle onion powder and garlic powder and 1-2T unseasoned rice vinegar; turn off heat, add squeezed lime and some toasted sesame oil; serve with a lot of chopped cilantro (great addition). Also we used only 2T chopped kimchi so not too spicy for certain family members (with more on the side for others).

amanda7 months ago

I'm making this for the 3rd time tonight as written -- used ground turkey, lucky hoisin sauce from whole foods and spicy kimchi, good rice and butter lettuce. The kimchi adds the touch and the hoisin has no chemical aftertaste. Thank YOU!! sooooo good

Jenn L7 months ago

I discovered too late that I was out of Hoisin. A quick substitute of soy sauce, sriracha, and sesame oil came to the rescue and a delicious “mom you need to make this again” meal that I can feel good about was on the table in under 20 minutes. WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!

Private notes are only visible to you.