Chicken Lettuce Taco Boats

These lettuce taco boats are a dinner you’ll feel great about feeding to the family – and they’ll love it, too! Juicy shredded chicken is smothered in a delicious and zesty chipotle, orange, and pineapple sauce and then heaped inside crisp lettuce wraps. Add some fresh toppings and you have a fun take on taco night – with just ten minutes of prep time!

These lettuce taco boats are my go-to when I want all the fun of tacos with a fresh, crunchy twist. I toss the chicken into the slow cooker, let it do all the heavy lifting, and come back to perfectly tender, flavorful meat without any extra effort.

Once the chicken is ready, I spoon it into crisp lettuce leaves and top everything with juicy pineapple and creamy avocado. The mix of warm, savory chicken and cool, crunchy toppings is so satisfying, and the whole dinner comes together with hardly any work at all.

Ingredients needed

These handheld delights are bursting with flavor thanks to these delicious ingredients:

Pineapple : Mince some up to add to the slow cooker, and use some for a zesty fresh burst on top of the lettuce taco boats!
Oranges : Orange juice brings a bright citrusy note!
Garlic : Adds savory depth.
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: Use more or less depending on how spicy you enjoy it!
Dijon mustard: Adds a little tang to the chicken.
Chicken : Use boneless and skinless chicken breasts for convenient shredding. Chicken thighs work, too.
Toppings : Crispy lettuce gives a satisfying crunch. Butter lettuce, bibb, or romaine lettuce works best! Add some pineapple chunks, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.

Lettuce Taco Boats on the dinner table - 2

What to serve with chicken taco boats

While these taco lettuce wraps are an easy solution for a busy weeknight, you can pair them with any of our Mexican and southwest recipes for a fiesta! Open the meal with some grilled guacamole , summer peach salsa , or corn salsa .

Serve these lettuce taco boats with some taco rice or Mexican rice . Or, add some sweet potato nachos , Mexican cucumber salad , or Mexican street corn pasta to your table spread.

Don’t forget the pineapple margaritas , or make some margarita popsicles for dessert!

Can I substitute the chipotle peppers for something else?

Sure! You can use any ingredient that you prefer. We suggest making your own taco seasoning with pantry staples like chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Can I make this with other meat?

Sure! If you use pork in the slow cooker, note that it will take longer to cook – around 7-8 hours on low. You could also use ground beef or ground turkey.

Can I add anything else?

Sure thing! You can add any of your usual favorite taco toppings. Our top picks are halved cherry tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, some hot sauce, black beans, and wedges of limes on the side.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers can store well, which makes this recipe great for meal prep for work lunches. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, then keep the lettuce leaves and toppings separate. It’s best to slice the avocado fresh when you reheat the chicken.