Da da da daaaaah! Happy New Year everyone. New year, new kitchen gadgets? Yep. Let's break open those Black Friday deals and steals you've been waiting to unwrap. We're plugging in the trendiest new gadget for Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
It's time for a little pressure...except in my head I'm saying that without the R but with a AH, because New England yo.
This one time, a guy I worked with told my husband every time he buys a new kitchen gadget his girlfriend told him he had to part with an old one. Hahaha. Not a chance Henry. Love yas, but not happening. There's probably more equity in my kitchen than in the driveway, but then we live in the city so what's in the driveway isn't that important is it?
Anyway....let's talk about the Instant Pot bandwagon and making tasty, heathy Thai wraps.
Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken
No lies here, the first time I tested out the Instant Pot, I was a little intimidated. Where do I put the lever, why isn't it making that noise my pressure cooker makes, did I put enough time, and on and on. Guys, the fear was totally unwarranted. Once you discover the Instant Pot, everything shall be cooked in the Instant Pot.
Kidding, mostly. So far we've done a few soups, sauces, these Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and rice. Oh! And these pork carnitas from Gimme Some Oven that are ????.
My favorite parts about the Pad Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps are:
- They can be made with partially frozen chicken. In a perfect world, you remember to take the chicken out of the freezer the day before and defrost properly. My world? Not perfect. Half defrosted chicken? Happening.
- Leftovers? Endless possibilities. Over rice, sauté with veggies, serve with brown rice noodles, over salad, you name it.
- Reheats are very forgiving. The chicken is tender, juicy and reheats just as good as the first time.
If those aren't enough reasons, just go ahead and make em. Come up with a few of your own, I'm sure you will.
So we have our juicy, savory-sweet pad Thai chicken, in our sturdy Bibb or Boston lettuce cups, then have at it with the toppings. My favs include raw shredded carrots and julienned red pepper topped with Low Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing. This dressing is the best and I want to put it on everything because it uses peanut butter powder in place of regular peanut butter, it keeps the flavor but looses the calories. Healthy chicken, raw veggies, low calorie richly satisfying peanut sauce? Win win.
Maybe some chopped scallions, cilantro, perhaps even a little pineapple. Whatever strikes your fancy. Go and have fun with your Instant Pot Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Then bask in the glory that is a healthy meal, made in little time.
Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
Instant Pot Pad Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- 3 chicken breast (2 ½ to 3 pounds, cut in large 2 to 3 inch pieces)
- 1 head Boston or Bibb Lettuce
- 1 small red pepper (julienne)
- 1 small carrot (peeled and shredded)
- 1 scallion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon edamame (shelled)
- ¼ cup crushed peanuts
- Pad Thai Sauce
- Low Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
Pad Thai Sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons lime juice
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoons red pepper flakes
Low Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
- 4 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 each scallions (roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (paste or fresh grated)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- ¼ teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanuts
Instructions
- For the chicken: Cut chicken into large pieces, about 2 to 3 inches. Place in the instant pot and cover with Pad Thai Sauce. Close the lid to the instant pot and set vent to sealing.
- Press the 'Poultry' Button. The Instant Pot should default to 20 minutes of cooking time. Note: It won't start counting down until it's reached the proper level of heat and pressure. Let the pot naturally release pressure before venting to release the remaining pressure. Once the red bobber is down, you can open the lid.
- Remove chicken from the Instant Pot and shredded into small pieces. Pour ¾ cup juice from the pot over the pulled chicken. Optional: for crispy chicken (think carnitas style), place chicken in a baking dish and pour all the remain juice over. Broil for 10 minutes.
- Pad Thai Sauce: Combine all the ingredients for the Pad Thai Sauce in a bowl and whisk until brown sugar is dissolved. Pour over chicken in the instant pot.
- Remove the lettuce leaves from the core and prepare topping vegetables.
- Prepare the Low Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing: Combine all ingredients, excluding whole peanuts, in the food processor. Blend until smooth. Add peanuts and pulse 5 to 6 times until roughly chopped.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow these lettuce wraps look delicious! Loving the flavour combos in here. I need to get an instant pot asap. Pinning to try this once I do!
Saima says
Is there no limit to the things you can make with the instant pot?! I'm loving all the instant pot recipes and starting a collection of them! I just have to include your lettuce wraps!
Monica says
Haha, I am working on subscribing to the "one in one out" rule in most of my home, but the kitchen will always be full of exceptions! I got my Instant Pot late last year and have been IN LOVE ever since. Never to part, it's worth all the extra space it takes up, and recipes like this are the reason why! They look so good!
Lauren says
It really is worth all the extra space!
Eileen Kelly says
I am with you, I love my Instant pot! Wow, these Pad Thai chicken wraps are perfect for my family! They are easy and delicious! I have to low-carb for a health issue but my family has been enjoying it! They are going to love this recipe. Topping with that peanut dressing, I am drooling over this one!
Elizabeth Chloe says
I had pad thai when I visited Thailand and it was so good, but I've never tried making it at home. Love the idea of wrapping it all up in lettuce leaves for extra crunch. Plus that peanut sauce 😍
Michelle says
I love a good lettuce wrap and these look amazing! I'm loving that spicy peanut dressing too, that sounds delicious x
Jennifer says
These lettuce wraps are sooo good!! My family loved them and it was so easy to make!
Kelly Anthony says
These looks colorful and full of flavor! Can't wait to try making lettuce wraps at home! The sauce here looks dreamy!
Eva says
That peanut dressing! Give me some of that now! 😀 It's been a while since I had some Thai food, thanks for the inspiration!
Des says
I can't wait to make these! Talk about a great lighter lunch or dinner idea.
Jacque Hastert says
I am pulling out the Instant Pot tomorrow just to make these and I can't wait. I am taking them for lunch tomorrow.
Amanda says
This is going on my menu for next week! It looks delicious!
Nicole says
Are there any alternatives for the brown rice in the pad Thai sauce? Although it sounds delicious as is I’m hoping to cut out the sugar for health reasons!
Nicole says
I meant brown sugar***!!!!
Lauren says
Palm sugar is supposed to have less fructose than other sugars so its not quite as sweet, however I'm not sure calorie-wise if there is a difference. You could always try cutting the amount in half. It'll be more savory but still tasty.
Melissa Griffiths says
I just got an Instant Pot and I think I need to try it out with these babies! Yum!
Albert Bevia says
This looks so good! totally into lettuce wraps right now so I´m giving this a try! In my kitchen it´s the same, I have more invested in kitchen equipment than anything else in the house 🙂
Leslie says
I love lettuce wraps so much - these look fabulous!