Chicken Caesar Wraps
This recipe offers two versions for chicken Caesar wraps: an easy version for immediate consumption and a more elaborate version designed to last all week.
These Chicken Caesar Wraps are the lunch hack I am completely obsessed with, especially for the work-from-home days when 'making lunch' needs to take five minutes max. Tender shredded rotisserie chicken tossed with crisp romaine, parmesan, croutons, and Caesar dressing, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla and sliced in half. It is the chicken Caesar salad you love, in handheld form, ready in the time it takes to chop lettuce.
I have two versions of this recipe for two different kinds of weeks. The easy version uses a Caesar salad kit from the grocery store and a rotisserie chicken (basically zero work). The longer version is built to last you all week (chop a head of romaine, store the components separately, assemble fresh wraps in 2 minutes whenever hunger strikes). Both versions are delicious. Pick the one that fits your schedule.
The trick to a wrap that holds up all week is the prep technique. Chopped romaine stored in a plastic bag with a paper towel inside (the paper towel absorbs moisture and keeps the lettuce crisp for 5+ days). Shredded rotisserie chicken kept separately. Dressing only added right before eating so the wrap stays crisp and crunchy. This setup means you can make a fresh wrap in literally one minute every day.
Use a low-carb burrito-size wrap to keep things lighter, or a regular flour tortilla if you do not care about the carbs. Either way, this is one of the most satisfying lunches you can make. It travels well in a lunchbox for work, packs perfectly for road trips, and feels like a real meal. Let's make them.
📝 Ingredients
- Easy Version:
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken or one pack of chicken cooked (Shredded)
- 1 Caesar Salad Kit
- Low Carb Burrito Size Wraps
- Version that will last you all week:
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken or one pack of chicken cooked (Shredded)
- 1 head of romaine lettuce - chopped
- Caesar Dressing
- Croutons
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt/Pepper
- Low Carb Burrito size wrap
👩🍳 Directions
- 1
Easy Version:
- 2
Combine Caesar Salad Kit with Rotisserie Chicken and place on top of a wrap.
- 3
Fold 2 sides of the edges in and then roll
- 4
Cut in Half!
- 5
Version that will last you all week:
- 6
Chop lettuce and store what you are not using in a plastic bag with a paper towel in it to absorb the moisture.
- 7
Add Lettuce to a bowl along with 2/3 cup of chicken, crushed Croutons, Parmesan Cheese, Salt and Pepper
- 8
Add desired amount of dressing then mix together and put on top of wrap
- 9
Fold 2 sides of the edges in and then roll
- 10
Cut in Half!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Rotisserie chicken: One whole bird pulled off the bone, about 3 cups of shredded or chopped meat. Use light and dark together. Leftover home-cooked or canned chicken works too.
Caesar salad kit: For the easy version. Dole, Fresh Express, or Taylor Farms all make great ones. Includes romaine, dressing, croutons, and parmesan in one bag.
Low-carb burrito-size wraps: 10 to 12 inch tortillas. Mission Carb Balance, Trader Joe's, or Egg Life Foods all work. Regular flour tortillas work too if low-carb is not a priority.
For the all-week version:
Romaine lettuce: One head, chopped. Store extra in a bag with a paper towel inside for week-long crispness.
Caesar dressing: A thick creamy bottled Caesar. Cardini's, Ken's Steakhouse, or Newman's Own. Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons per wrap.
Croutons: Crushed lightly for texture. Garlic, Caesar, or seasoned varieties all work.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for the best flavor. About 2 tablespoons per wrap.
Salt and pepper: To taste, especially if using freshly chopped romaine instead of a pre-seasoned salad kit.
How to Store, Reheat & Freeze
Assembled wraps are best eaten the day they are made. The lettuce wilts and the wrap gets soggy as the dressing soaks in. If you must store one, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
For the all-week setup, store each component separately in airtight containers. Chopped romaine in a bag with a paper towel stays crisp for 5 to 7 days. Shredded chicken keeps for 4 days. Dressing keeps in its original bottle. Assemble fresh wraps each day in 2 minutes for the best texture.
Wraps do not freeze well. The lettuce becomes inedible and the dressing breaks down.
What to Serve With Chicken Caesar Wraps
These wraps are a complete meal but a small side rounds them out. Fresh fruit (grapes, apple slices, berries), a small cup of soup (tomato or butternut squash are great), kettle chips, sweet potato chips, or a handful of veggies and hummus all work great. For drinks, sparkling water with lemon, iced tea, or a kombucha all pair well. They are perfect for school lunches, work lunches, road trips, or quick weeknight dinners.
💡 Tips for Success
- Use a rotisserie chicken for maximum ease. Pull all the meat off the bones and shred or chop for about 3 cups. One rotisserie chicken gets you 4 to 5 wraps.
- If you are doing the easy version, use a quality Caesar salad kit. Dole, Fresh Express, and Taylor Farms all make great ones with crisp romaine, dressing, croutons, and parmesan all in one bag.
- Burrito-size wraps are essential. Smaller wraps (taco or fajita size) cannot hold enough filling for a real lunch. Look for 10-inch or 12-inch tortillas.
- Low-carb wraps are great for keeping things lighter without sacrificing the wrap experience. Mission Carb Balance, Trader Joe's, or Egg Life Foods wraps all work great.
- If making the all-week version, store chopped romaine in a plastic bag with a paper towel inside. The paper towel absorbs moisture and keeps the lettuce crisp for 5 to 7 days.
- Store all the components separately if making ahead. Chicken in one container, lettuce in another, dressing in a third. Assemble fresh wraps each day to keep them crispy.
- Use freshly grated parmesan if you can. The pre-grated kind has anti-caking agents that affect the texture. Fresh-grated melts into the dressing and tastes way better.
- Roll tight. Fold in the two sides first, then roll from the bottom up tightly. A loose wrap falls apart and spills filling everywhere. A tight roll holds together for travel and eating.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Easy version or week version, which is better?
Both are great. The easy version is perfect when you just need lunch right now and do not want to chop anything. The week version is better if you want to meal prep and have wraps ready to assemble for several days. Pick based on your schedule.
What is the best Caesar dressing?
A thick creamy Caesar with real parmesan and anchovies. Cardini's, Ken's Steakhouse, or Newman's Own are all great. Avoid light or fat-free Caesar dressings, they lack flavor.
Can I use a different lettuce?
Romaine is the traditional Caesar choice and holds up best in a wrap. Iceberg works but is less flavorful. Avoid soft greens like spring mix or arugula, they wilt too fast inside a wrap.
How do I keep my chopped romaine fresh for the week?
Chop the lettuce, then place it in a plastic bag or container with a paper towel. The paper towel absorbs moisture (the main cause of wilting). It stays crisp for 5 to 7 days this way.
Can I make these gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten-free tortillas (Mission, Egg Life Foods, or any GF brand) and gluten-free croutons (or skip the croutons). Check the Caesar dressing label, most are gluten free.
Can I add other proteins?
Absolutely. Grilled chicken, leftover chicken breast, even turkey or shrimp all work. The Caesar flavor profile pairs well with most proteins.
How long do assembled wraps keep?
Best eaten the day they are made. If you must store an assembled wrap, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Beyond that the lettuce wilts and the wrap gets soggy.
Made this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @holleyinthekitchen — I'd love to see it!