Savory Fig and Bacon Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Glaze

These savory-sweet lettuce wraps are packed with flavor and texture. Crispy bacon, tender seasoned chicken, sweet fig jam and caramelized onion are loaded into crisp lettuce cups, then topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and a tangy balsamic glaze. The result is a light yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer for guests.

Each bite offers a balance of smoky, sweet and savory notes, with the crunch of fresh lettuce and the richness of melted cheese. This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and uses simple ingredients to create a memorable meal that feels special without being complicated.

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Ingredients

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 unit Fig JamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce ParsleyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Balsamic GlazeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Heat a large dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Carefully discard all but 1 teaspoon bacon fat from the pan (use 2 teaspoons for 4 servings). Once cool, roughly chop the bacon. Meanwhile, wash and dry the produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion. Trim the root end from the lettuce and separate the outer leaves (reserve smaller inner leaves for another use). Dice the tomato into ¼-inch pieces. Finely chop the parsley.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter (2 tablespoons for 4 servings) in the pan with the reserved bacon fat over medium heat. Add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is browned and softened, 8-10 minutes. Add half the fig jam and 1 tablespoon water (all the jam and 2 tablespoons water for 4 servings). Cook until reduced and jammy, about 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and transfer the onion to a medium bowl. Wipe out the pan.
3. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and dice into ½-inch pieces. Season all over with fry seasoning, salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from heat and sprinkle the chicken with Monterey Jack cheese. Cover the pan until the cheese melts, 1-2 minutes. Divide the lettuce leaves among plates and fill with the caramelized onion, cheesy chicken, diced tomato and chopped bacon. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute Monterey Jack with mozzarella, provolone or even cheddar for a different flavor.

Can I make these lettuce wraps ahead of time?

It’s best to assemble just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp. You can prep the filling components in advance and reheat them.

What can I use instead of fig jam?

Apricot jam or a sweet onion marmalade would work well as substitutes.