Grilled chicken wraps are a delicious and easy meal option that can be customized in endless ways. With juicy grilled chicken, flavorful vegetables, and tasty sauces wrapped up in a soft tortilla, they make for a satisfying lunch or dinner. If you’re wondering how to put together this handheld favorite, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the simple process.
Overview of the Grilled Chicken Wrap
A grilled chicken wrap typically contains the following main components:
-
Grilled chicken – The star of the show! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders are seasoned and grilled until cooked through and juicy.
-
Tortilla – Large flour, whole wheat, spinach, or tomato tortillas are commonly used to wrap up the fillings.
-
Vegetables – Fresh veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc. add crunch and flavor.
-
Sauce/spread – Hummus ranch, salsa guacamole, etc. enhances taste and moisture.
-
Cheese (optional) – Melty shredded cheese is a popular addition.
Once the elements are prepped, assembly is easy. Just spread sauce on the tortilla, top with chicken and veggies, add cheese if desired, then wrap it all up into a tasty portable package!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for grilled chicken wrap success:
1. Prepare the Chicken
-
Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness or cut tenders in half horizontally to help them cook quickly and evenly.
-
Season chicken liberally on both sides with salt, pepper, and any other spices like garlic powder, chili powder, etc.
-
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 mins – 1 hour in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs/spices.
2. Grill the Chicken
-
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
-
Grill chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until cooked through and registers 165°F internally.
-
Transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before slicing or chopping.
3. Prep the Fillings
While chicken is grilling/resting, prep your desired fillings:
-
Chop/shred lettuce and slice tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc.
-
Make sauce/spread of choice like guacamole, hummus, ranch dressing, etc.
-
Shred cheese if adding.
4. Warm the Tortillas
- Quickly warm tortillas on the grill or in the microwave/skillet to make them pliable.
5. Assemble the Wraps
-
Spread sauce evenly over tortilla.
-
Layer on lettuce and other veggies.
-
Top with sliced or chopped grilled chicken.
-
Add shredded cheese.
-
Fold sides in and roll up burrito-style.
6. Slice and Serve
-
Use a serrated knife to slice each wrap diagonally.
-
Enjoy your freshly made grilled chicken wraps!
Tips for Delicious Grilled Chicken Wraps
-
Pound chicken to an even thickness so it cooks fast.
-
Marinate for extra juicy and flavorful meat.
-
Warm tortillas before assembling.
-
Don’t overstuff wraps or they’ll be messy to eat.
-
Slice on a diagonal for better presentation.
-
Add crunchy vegetables like bell peppers and carrots.
-
Drizzle sriracha mayo over the top for a spicy kick.
-
Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo-based sauces.
-
Grill vegetables like onions, peppers, or zucchini for more flavor.
-
Use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for low-carb wraps.
Popular Variations
There are endless possibilities when it comes to customizing grilled chicken wraps. Some popular variations include:
Buffalo Chicken – Toss grilled chicken in Buffalo hot sauce then add shredded lettuce, carrots, blue cheese dressing.
Chipotle Chicken – Use smoky chipotle seasoning on the chicken. Top with avocado, Jack cheese, chipotle mayo.
Greek – Grill chicken with Mediterranean spices. Fill with spinach, feta, red onion, hummus, and tzatziki.
Southwestern – Season chicken with chili powder and cumin. Add peppers, corn, black beans, shredded Mexican cheese blend.
Caesar – Marinate chicken in Caesar dressing before grilling. Fill with romaine, parmesan, Caesar dressing.
Club – Stuff with grilled chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, lettuce, and ranch dressing.
FAQs
What’s the best tortilla to use? Flour, whole wheat, spinach, and tomato tortillas all work well. Pick one with enough size and flexibility to wrap ingredients without tearing.
How do I prevent soggy wraps? Don’t overfill them. And don’t assemble until ready to eat so veggies don’t get soggy.
Can I prep wraps in advance? Yes. Grill chicken up to 3 days ahead. Assemble wraps without veggies up to 8 hours in advance, then add fresh veggies before serving.
Can I use leftover grilled chicken? Absolutely! Leftover BBQ chicken, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, etc. all make excellent wrap fillings. Simply chop or shred meat.
What can I use instead of mayo-based sauces? Hummus, guacamole, salsa, Greek yogurt, pesto, and nut butters are all flavorful options.
Do I need to warm the tortillas? It’s recommended to get tortillas pliable enough to wrap ingredients without cracking. But you can skip it if using very fresh, soft tortillas.
How do I keep wraps from getting soggy? Wrap them tightly in foil after assembling. Don’t let assembled wraps sit out too long before eating. And don’t overfill them with wet ingredients.
Perfectly Portable
With juicy grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, melty cheese, and flavor-packed sauces wrapped up in an easy-to-eat package, grilled chicken wraps make an awesome grab-and-go lunch or dinner. This simple how-to guide outlines the easy process so you can enjoy this satisfying handheld meal anywhere. Customize with your favorite fillings and sauces for endless delicious possibilities.
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptions
- Customize your ingredients! Add more or less green leaf lettuce, monterey jack cheese or dressing!
- Switch up your dressing! Use ranch dressing, spicy dressing, honey mustard, etc.
- Add extra veggies! Add extra fresh veggies (and fiber!) by adding spinach, carrots, red cabbage, avocado, etc.
- Use different flavors of chicken! Use leftover blackened chicken, pickle brined chicken, BBQ chicken, etc.
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Slice the 2 chicken breasts in half to make 4 cutlets. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and place in a bowl with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to coat.
2. Place the chicken cutlets on the grill, and grill for 2-3 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 155F (carry over cooking will ensure chicken reaches 165F).
3. Remove from the grill and place on a cutting board or plate. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing (this helps keep it juicy).
4. Microwave the wraps for 10-15 seconds (so they are more pliable and less likely to break).
5. Then add the lettuce, followed by cheese, and then sliced chicken (1/4 of everything to each wrap).
6. Wrap like you’d wrap a burrito, then cut in half and serve with avocado lime ranch dressing or your dressing of choice. Store remaining wraps in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days. wrapping tip
FAQ: Chick-fil-A Grilled Chicken Cool Wrap
To successfully secure all your yummy fillings in a wrap, just place all filling ingredients in the center of the tortilla or wrap (see step by step with pictures above). Then fold in the short sides toward the center, and roll the top side towards the bottom to securely wrap everything in place. If you want to heat your wrap, place wrap seam-side down on hot surface (or air fryer) to heat and secure seal. Here’s a great article with step-by-step instructions for how to fold a wrap!