Get ready to whip up these incredibly delicious Southwest Chicken Wraps, a recipe perfect for busy weeknights or impressive lunches! These wraps are packed with zesty flavors, protein, and fresh veggies, making them a satisfying and healthy meal option that comes together in a flash.
Key Ingredients for Southwest Chicken Wraps
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup frozen or fresh corn kernels
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (for a lighter option)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, adjust to your spice preference)
- 4-6 large whole wheat or spinach tortillas
- Optional Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream
How to Make Southwest Chicken Wraps
These Southwest Chicken Wraps are incredibly easy to assemble, boasting a vibrant medley of textures and tastes that will leave you feeling utterly satisfied. The simplicity of sautéing seasoned chicken and then mixing it with a creamy, zesty dressing and fresh ingredients makes this dish a weeknight winner. Expect to be enjoying this flavorful meal in approximately 25 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Ensure each piece is evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Southwest Filling: In the same skillet (no need to wash it), add the rinsed and drained black beans, corn kernels, and diced red onion. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes over medium heat, just until the vegetables are warmed through and the onion has softened slightly.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked chicken, the sautéed black bean and corn mixture, chopped cilantro, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, and hot sauce (if using). Stir everything together until well combined and the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, lime juice, or hot sauce to your preference.
- Warm the Tortillas: Lightly warm your tortillas according to package directions. This can be done in a dry skillet, in the microwave for a few seconds, or wrapped in foil in a warm oven. Warm tortillas are more pliable and less likely to tear when assembling the wraps.
- Assemble the Wraps: Lay a warm tortilla flat. Spoon a generous amount of the Southwest chicken filling down the center of the tortilla, leaving some space at the top and bottom.
- Add Optional Toppings: This is where you can get creative! Layer on your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and shredded cheese.
- Fold and Roll: Fold in the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then tightly roll up the tortilla from the bottom to create your delicious Southwest Chicken Wrap.
- Serve: Serve immediately. For an extra special touch, you can slice the wraps in half diagonally before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Southwest Chicken Wrap
You’ll absolutely adore these Southwest Chicken Wraps for their incredible versatility and satisfying taste. The star of the show is the perfectly seasoned, tender chicken, beautifully complemented by the creamy, zesty dressing and the delightful crunch of fresh veggies. Unlike a plain chicken salad wrap, this version bursts with bold Southwestern flavors that are simply irresistible, making it feel like a gourmet meal without the fuss.
Making these Southwest Chicken Wraps at home is a budget-friendly option that beats restaurant prices any day. You control the ingredients, ensuring quality and freshness while saving a significant amount of money, especially when feeding a family. The dynamic combination of spices, tangy lime, and your choice of creamy binder creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting, reminiscent of your favorite taco fillings but conveniently packaged in a portable wrap. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and whip up these fantastic Southwest Chicken Wraps today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Allow the assembled Southwest Chicken Wraps to cool completely before storing. Wrap each individual wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Important Note: For best results, it’s recommended to store the filling separately from the tortillas if you plan to keep it longer than one day, as the filling can make the tortillas soggy over time.
- Freezing: While assembling the full wrap and freezing is not typically recommended due to the texture change in the tortilla and fresh toppings, you can freeze the Southwest chicken filling. Let the filling cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. The filling can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- From Refrigerator (Assembled Wraps): If your wraps are slightly damp and you want to refresh them, you can gently warm them in a dry skillet over low heat for a few minutes per side until heated through. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can lead to a soggy wrap. Alternatively, you can enjoy them cold, as the flavors meld beautifully.
- From Refrigerator (Separate Filling): If you stored the filling separately, reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring occasionally. Once the filling is heated, assemble fresh tortillas with the warmed filling and your desired toppings.
- From Freezer (Filling Only): Thaw the frozen filling overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat as directed above.
Final Thoughts
These Southwest Chicken Wraps are a testament to how simple ingredients can create a truly magnificent and flavorful meal. We encourage you to give this recipe a try; it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite for its ease, taste, and pure deliciousness.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Southwest Chicken Wraps
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Ensure each piece is evenly coated with the spices.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, to taste salt and black pepper
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned, flipping halfway through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet (no need to wash it), add the rinsed and drained black beans, corn kernels, and diced red onion. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes over medium heat, just until the vegetables are warmed through and the onion has softened slightly.1 (15-ounce) can black beans, 1 cup corn kernels, 1/2 cup red onion
- In a medium bowl, combine the cooked chicken, the sautéed black bean and corn mixture, chopped cilantro, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, and hot sauce (if using). Stir everything together until well combined and the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, lime juice, or hot sauce to your preference.1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Lightly warm your tortillas according to package directions. This can be done in a dry skillet, in the microwave for a few seconds, or wrapped in foil in a warm oven. Warm tortillas are more pliable and less likely to tear when assembling the wraps.
- Lay a warm tortilla flat. Spoon a generous amount of the Southwest chicken filling down the center of the tortilla, leaving some space at the top and bottom.
- This is where you can get creative! Layer on your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and shredded cheese.
- Fold in the sides of the tortilla over the filling, then tightly roll up the tortilla from the bottom to create your delicious Southwest Chicken Wrap.
- Serve immediately. For an extra special touch, you can slice the wraps in half diagonally before serving.