Southwest Chicken Wraps (Printable version)
Seasoned chicken with fresh veggies and creamy sauce in warm tortillas
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into thin strips
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Wraps & Veggies
09 - 4 large flour tortillas (10 inch)
10 - 1 cup romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
12 - 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 1/2 cup corn kernels
14 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
15 - 1/2 avocado, sliced
→ Southwest Sauce
16 - 1/4 cup sour cream
17 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
18 - 1 tbsp lime juice
19 - 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
20 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
21 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
22 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Toss chicken strips with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, hot sauce (if using), chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make the southwest sauce.
04 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
05 - Lay each tortilla flat and spread 1-2 tablespoons of southwest sauce down the center. Top with lettuce, cooked chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, and avocado.
06 - Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll up tightly from the bottom to form a wrap. Slice each wrap in half. Serve immediately or wrap in foil for on-the-go meals.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you want something real but do not have hours to cook.
- The southwest sauce is ridiculously good and somehow makes even plain lettuce taste exciting.
- You can prep the components ahead and assemble whenever hunger strikes.
02 -
- Do not skip warming the tortillas. I once tried to save time and ended up with cracked wraps and filling everywhere. Learn from my mistake.
- The sauce thickens up in the fridge, so if you make it ahead, stir in a teaspoon of water or lime juice before using.
- These do not reheat well, so eat them fresh or pack them for lunch without reheating.
03 -
- If your chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally first to create thinner cutlets. They cook faster and stay more tender.
- Let the chicken rest for a couple minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute. This keeps each bite moist instead of dry.