Quick Chicken Caesar Wraps

Listen, these chicken Caesar wraps saved my sanity when I was juggling three kids' after-school activities last year. Honestly, nothing beats the convenience of a good wrap when you're on the go!

True story - I brought these to my sister's pool party last summer instead of the usual chips and dip. Her husband (who normally lives on burgers and fries) ate THREE of them and then texted me the next day asking how to make them. That's when I knew I had a keeper recipe.

What You Need

• Romaine lettuce: Get the hearts if you can - they're crunchier and last longer in the fridge. I've tried using other greens but nothing beats romaine for that classic Caesar crunch.
• Chicken: Whatever you've got works. Leftover grilled chicken from the weekend BBQ? Perfect. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store? Even better because someone else did the work.
• Caesar dressing: Look, I make homemade when I have time, but I'm not above using Marzetti's from the refrigerated section when life gets crazy.
• Parmesan cheese: Splurge on a block and grate it yourself. That pre-grated stuff in the green can just isn't the same - trust me, I've tried to cut corners.
• Croutons: My kids fight over these crunchy bits. I usually make a big batch on Sunday when I'm turning stale bread into something useful.
• Tortillas: The 10-inch ones are key. I bought the small ones once and everything fell out the sides - total disaster in my son's lunchbox.

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How I Do It

Throw It All Together

I mix everything in my biggest bowl - the blue one I got from my mom that's probably from the 80s. Don't go crazy with the dressing or you'll end up with a soggy mess. My husband always adds too much and then wonders why his wrap falls apart. Men, I swear.

The Tortilla Trick

Warm those tortillas! Skip this step and you'll regret it when they crack and split. I usually toss mine in a dry pan for like 20 seconds while I'm finishing up the salad mixture. My oldest tried microwaving them wrapped in a wet paper towel after seeing it on TikTok, and I hate to admit it works pretty well.

Loading Strategy

Don't just dump everything in the middle. Spread it out in a line across the lower third of the tortilla. I learned this the hard way after making about a hundred lopsided wraps.

Roll With It

Fold in the sides first, then roll from the bottom up, keeping everything tucked in tight. If you're packing these for lunch, that little bit of parchment paper wrapped around them keeps everything together better than plastic wrap.

I started making these when my oldest hit middle school and suddenly decided cold sandwiches weren't "cool" anymore. Now they're our go-to for sports nights, quick lunches, and those evenings when it's too hot to turn on the oven and everyone's starving.

Make It a Meal

We usually have these with some cut-up fruit on the side - whatever's in season or on sale. When my mother-in-law comes over (she's always watching her carbs), I skip the tortilla and just pile everything into a bowl for her. For potlucks, I cut them into pinwheels - people think I spent way more effort than I actually did.

Switch It Up

Sometimes I throw in whatever's in the produce drawer that needs using up. Half an avocado? Chop it up and toss it in. Those cherry tomatoes about to go wrinkly? Perfect. My husband adds hot sauce to his because he adds hot sauce to literally everything. The kids like bacon bits sprinkled in, especially if it's actually bacon I cooked that morning and not the fake stuff.

Keeping It Fresh

If you're not eating these right away, keep the ingredients separate! Nothing worse than a soggy wrap at lunchtime. I send the components to school in one of those bento box things, and my daughter assembles it herself - she likes playing "lunch chef" in the cafeteria.

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Things I've Learned the Hard Way

• Chopping the lettuce smaller than you think you need to makes these WAY easier to eat
• Don't put the croutons in until the last minute or they get soggy and defeat the whole purpose
• Making two extra means I have lunch already figured out for tomorrow

These wraps have saved dinner at our house more times than I can count. Between soccer practice, dance lessons, and my husband's late work meetings, sometimes we're eating in shifts or literally in the car. At least with these, I know everyone's getting something somewhat nutritious instead of hitting the drive-thru again. And hey, there's lettuce in there, so I'm counting it as a vegetable win!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of chicken works best?

Any cooked chicken works - rotisserie, grilled, or leftover chicken are all great options.

→ Can I make these ahead?

Prep ingredients ahead, but assemble just before eating to prevent soggy wraps.

→ What's a good side dish?

Serve with chips, fruit, or a simple soup for a complete meal.

→ Can I add other vegetables?

Yes, try adding tomatoes, avocado, or cucumber for extra freshness.

→ Can I use a different wrap?

Absolutely - spinach, whole wheat, or gluten-free wraps all work well.