Thai and Chinese lettuce wraps get all the attention, but this Italian version deserves a spot in the rotation too. Keto Italian chicken lettuce wraps taste like chicken Parmesan, riced cauliflower, spinach, and plenty of Parmesan doing the heavy lifting.
This comes together fast enough for a weeknight, and it genuinely does not taste like a compromise. Dip these in homemade tomato sauce if you want to lean even further into the chicken Parmesan flavor.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my Privacy Policy.
Jump-start your keto success! Grab a copy of my 4-week Easy Keto Menu Plan or check out my other cookbooks to help you along.
Join our Facebook group for friendly keto support, and for videos on how to make these recipes, subscribe to my YouTube channel!
Chef Jenn’s Take on Italian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Adding salt before the cheese goes in is an easy way to over-salt this dish. Parmesan already brings plenty of salt on its own, so taste first, then season with salt and pepper only after the cheese is stirred in.
Check your Italian seasoning blend for hidden sugar too, more of them have it than you would expect. Fresh or frozen spinach both work, just thaw and squeeze frozen spinach dry before it goes in. Cook the riced cauliflower until it is fully tender before adding the spinach and the rest of the ingredients, it needs a bit more time than the greens do.
A pinch of cayenne or red chili flakes at the end adds heat if you want it.
No ground chicken on hand? Ground pork is my next best suggestion, or use sausage meat with the casing removed. Ground beef works too, though the flavor leans a bit more toward a classic meat sauce than chicken Parmesan.
What You’ll Love About Italian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Freezes well, minus the lettuce, for easy future meals.
- All the flavor of chicken Parmesan, no pasta or breading required.
- Comes together fast enough for a genuine weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken – Ground pork, sausage out of the casing, or ground beef all work as substitutes.
- Riced cauliflower – Cooked until fully tender before the rest of the ingredients go in.
- Onion flakes – Fresh onion works too, in a slightly larger amount.
- Garlic – Fresh, finely chopped.
- Italian seasoning – Check the label for hidden sugar.
- Spinach – Fresh or frozen. Thaw and squeeze frozen spinach dry first.
- Tomato – Diced.
- Parmesan cheese – Good quality. Salt and pepper go in after this, not before.
- Lettuce leaves – For wrapping, optional.
- Olive oil
- Basil – Fresh, for garnish.
How to Make Italian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Brown the ground chicken in the oil, cooking for 4 to 5 minutes, until mostly cooked through.
Add the riced cauliflower and cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until tender.
Add the onion flakes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and spinach. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated.
Add the tomato and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
Heat through and serve in lettuce wraps, garnished with fresh basil.
Make It A Meal
Start with Beefy Minestrone Soup for a heartier meal, or keep with the Italian theme and add Italian Brussels Sprouts with Sausage on the side. For more Italian-style dinners, Sausage Parmigiana is worth keeping in the rotation too.
Storage
This freezes well, minus the lettuce. Cool the mixture fully, then package in airtight containers or bags for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet or the microwave, and add fresh lettuce leaves once it is warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe runs about 5 net carbs per 1 cup serving. The number in the recipe card below will recalculate once this post is republished, so use it as an estimate until then.
Yes, minus the lettuce. Cool the mixture fully and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Ground pork is the best alternative, or use sausage meat with the casing removed. Ground beef also works, though the flavor leans more toward a classic meat sauce.
About 20 minutes total, most of it hands-on cooking time.
Add Preferred SourceItalian-Style Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 cups riced cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic chopped finely
- 1/2 pound spinach fresh
- 1/2 cup tomato
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- lettuce leaves for wraps optional
- basil for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the meat in the olive oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until mostly cooked through.
- Add 2 cups riced cauliflower and cook an additional 3-4 minutes or until cauliflower is tender.
- Add the dried onion flakes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and washed and dried spinach. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated.
- Add the tomato and Parmesan cheese. Check to see if it needs salt. Heat through and serve in lettuce wraps if desired, garnished with basil.
Notes
Recipe Card Tips
- Add salt and pepper after the Parmesan, not before. The cheese is already salty on its own.
- Check your Italian seasoning for hidden sugar before buying it.
- Cook the riced cauliflower until fully tender before adding the spinach, it needs more time than the greens.
- Dip your Italian-Style Ground Chicken Wraps in homemade Tomato Sauce!
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Want even more keto deliciousness? Check out these keto soups and chowders, keto grilled veggies, and for breakfast, keto egg bites. Wash it all down with a keto cocktail!
This would make the perfect lunch idea! Yum! 🙂
Great for lunch!! Love the flavors and lettuce wraps are always so easy to make!
What a great recipe to try for lunch. Love the flavors here. Thanks for sharing
Superb combination of ingredients and yummy seasonings too. Definitely love to make some for Dinner tonight. These wraps looks crunchy and perfect.