Southwest Chicken Wrap Recipe

Zesty Southwest Chicken Wrap Recipe: Bold Flavors Made Easy

Hungry for a zesty lunch that packs a punch of southwest chicken wrap recipe flavors?

This handheld delight bursts with vibrant ingredients and bold spices that dance across your taste buds.

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy sauce come together in a soft tortilla for an irresistible meal.

Bright peppers and smoky seasonings create a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

The wrap offers a quick and satisfying option for those craving a delicious midday meal.

Packed with protein and fresh ingredients, this recipe transforms an ordinary lunch into a fiesta of flavor.

Southwest Chicken Wrap, Why It’s a Lunchtime Staple

  • Whip Up Flavor Explosion: Packed with vibrant southwest ingredients, this wrap delivers a mouthwatering taste adventure that transforms ordinary lunch into an exciting culinary experience.
  • Customize with Ease: Super adaptable recipe allows quick swapping of ingredients, making it perfect for picky eaters or using whatever you have in the refrigerator right now.
  • Speed Demon Meal: Requires minimal cooking and preparation, letting you assemble a delicious meal in mere minutes without complicated techniques or extensive kitchen skills.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Universally appealing wrap that satisfies different palates, making it ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone wants something tasty and filling.

Southwest Chicken Wrap Ingredient Checklist

Main Ingredients:
  • Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas serve as the base for this Southwest-style wrap.
  • Chicken: Cooked and shredded chicken provides the primary protein for the recipe.
  • Black Beans: A hearty and protein-rich ingredient that adds texture and southwestern flavor.
  • Corn: Sweet corn kernels contribute a fresh and bright element to the wrap.
Vegetable Mix:
  • Tomatoes, Red Onion, Jalapeños: These fresh vegetables add vibrant color, crunch, and a spicy kick to the wrap.
  • Romaine Lettuce: Crisp romaine provides a fresh and crunchy layer inside the wrap.
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
  • Cheese: Shredded cheese melts and helps bind the filling together.
  • Dressing: A creamy or zesty dressing coats the ingredients and enhances the overall flavor profile of the wrap.

How to Assemble a Southwest Chicken Wrap

Step 1: Warm Up Tortillas

Heat tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they become soft and flexible, making them easy to fold and roll.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine:
  • Shredded chicken
  • Black beans
  • Corn kernels
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Finely chopped red onion
  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Shredded cheese

Step 3: Dress and Toss Ingredients

Pour dressing over the mixture and gently stir until all ingredients are evenly coated with delicious flavor.

Step 4: Distribute Filling

Lay out tortillas and carefully spread the chicken mixture equally across each wrap, ensuring balanced distribution.

Step 5: Add Fresh Crunch

Sprinkle chopped romaine lettuce on top of the chicken mixture, adding a crisp and refreshing element to the wrap.

Step 6: Wrap and Roll

Carefully fold in the sides of each tortilla, then tightly roll into a compact and neat southwestern-style wrap.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Place wraps on a serving plate and cut diagonally if desired.

Serve immediately while ingredients are fresh and tortillas are warm.

Tips for Wrapping Like a Pro

  • Opt for ripe tomatoes, crisp corn, and high-quality rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and texture.
  • Remove jalapeño seeds for a milder wrap or add extra for more heat, depending on personal preference.
  • Prepare filling in advance and store separately to keep tortillas from getting soggy, perfect for quick lunches.
  • Swap flour tortillas with large lettuce leaves or gluten-free tortillas to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Replace chicken with black beans or grilled tofu for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content.

Flavor Swaps for Southwest Chicken Wraps

  • Vegetarian Southwest Wrap: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas for a plant-based protein option.
  • Gluten-Free Southwest Wrap: Use corn tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of flour tortillas to make the recipe gluten-free.
  • Low-Carb Southwest Wrap: Swap tortillas with large lettuce leaves like butter lettuce or romaine for a carb-conscious version.
  • Spicy Southwest Wrap: Add extra hot sauce, increase jalapeños, or include diced serrano peppers for more heat enthusiasts.

Creative Serving Suggestions for Chicken Wraps

  • Fiesta Fresh Plating: Slice the wrap diagonally and arrange on a colorful plate with extra salsa or pico de gallo on the side for a vibrant presentation.
  • Cool Companion Sides: Pair with crisp tortilla chips, Mexican street corn salad, or a light cilantro-lime rice to complement the wrap's zesty flavors.
  • Dipping Delight: Serve with additional southwest ranch, guacamole, or sour cream for guests who love extra saucy goodness with each bite.
  • Quick Lunch Hero: Pack in foil for a perfect portable meal that stays fresh and tasty, ideal for office lunches or picnic adventures.

Keeping Southwest Wraps Fresh for Later

  • Store leftover Southwest Chicken Wraps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
  • Unwrap the wrap from foil, place on a microwave-safe plate, and heat for 45-60 seconds until warm. Rotate halfway through to ensure even heating.
  • Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat, place the wrap seam-side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and heated through.
  • Skip freezing these wraps, as the fresh vegetables and dressing will become soggy and lose their texture when thawed.

FAQs

  • What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken are perfect because they’re already cooked and provide great flavor and tender texture.

  • Can I make this wrap spicier?

Yes, add more jalapeños or include a dash of hot sauce in the dressing to increase the heat level to your preference.

  • Is this recipe healthy?

Absolutely! It’s protein-packed with chicken and beans, includes vegetables, and can be a nutritious meal option when using whole wheat tortillas.

  • How can I prep this wrap ahead of time?

You can mix the chicken filling in advance and store it separately from tortillas in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, assembling when ready to eat.

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Southwest Chicken Wrap Recipe

Southwest Chicken Wrap Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 11 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savor the zesty Southwest Chicken Wrap that brings bold Tex-Mex flavors to your plate. Tender spiced chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy sauce nestle in a warm tortilla, promising a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 cups cooked, shredded or grilled chicken
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Toppings:

  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos (optional)

Dairy and Extras:

  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup Southwest or ranch dressing
  • 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. Heat tortillas at medium temperature for 15-20 seconds in skillet or microwave until soft and flexible.
  2. Combine shredded chicken, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, minced red onion, chopped jalapeños, and shredded cheese in a mixing bowl.
  3. Pour southwest dressing over the mixture and gently stir until all ingredients are thoroughly coated and distributed evenly.
  4. Place warmed tortillas on clean work surface and distribute chicken mixture equally across the center of each wrap.
  5. Sprinkle fresh chopped romaine lettuce over the chicken mixture in each tortilla.
  6. Carefully fold the bottom edge of the tortilla up and over the filling, then fold in the side edges to prevent ingredients from falling out.
  7. Tightly roll the wrap from bottom to top, ensuring a compact and secure wrap that holds all ingredients inside.
  8. Optional: Slice diagonally in half and serve immediately while ingredients are fresh and tortilla is warm.

Notes

  • Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or using milder pepper varieties for sensitive palates.
  • Swap chicken with grilled tofu or black beans for vegetarian-friendly version without losing flavor profile.
  • Prepare filling mixture ahead of time and store in refrigerator for quick meal prep during busy weekdays.
  • Use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas to accommodate different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 minute
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 385 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 37 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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