This quick and easy Southwest Chicken Wrap recipe makes the perfect grab-and-go lunch or easy dinner. Each wrap is filled with crispy breaded chicken and flavorful southwestern-inspired ingredients along with a tangy Southwest Ranch Dressing.
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Southwestern Chicken Wrap
For those days when you need an easy meal solution that everyone loves, these Southwest Chicken Wraps take the cake. They are loaded with crunchy texture, plenty of flavor, and only take about 20 minutes to throw together. Most of the ingredients can be prepped ahead of time and thrown together as needed.
While I like to use store bought chicken tenders, you can also make your own chicken tenders or feel free to substitute any type of chicken that you have on hand. Rotisserie chicken is a great option, as is leftover grilled chicken. In fact any of these ingredients can be swapped out for what you have on hand making these about as customizable as it gets.
If you like a good crispy chicken wrap, you can also give these Chicken and Bacon Wraps or Buffalo Chicken Wraps a try.
Ingredients in Our Southwestern Crispy Chicken Wraps
- Chicken Tenders - using frozen chicken tenders or chicken nuggets is a shortcut. If you’re feeling up for it, these Homemade Chicken Tenders are also quick, easy, and delicious. Otherwise you can use rotisserie chicken or any other kind of leftover cooked chicken that you have on hand.
- Flour Tortillas - you’ll want to use large flour tortillas for these wraps so that you have plenty of room to add all of the fillings. If you want you could use the green spinach tortillas, or another flavored variety.
- Black Beans - this recipe calls for canned black beans that have been drained and well-rinsed. Pinto beans would work, too.
- Corn - you can use frozen corn that has been thawed, canned corn that has been drained and rinsed, or fresh corn if it’s in season.
- Shredded Cheese - I like using shredded cheddar, fiesta mix, pepper jack, or taco mix.
- Romaine Lettuce - this adds loads of crunchy and freshness. Any kind of lettuce or fresh greens would work great.
- Diced Tomato - you can dice fresh tomatoes or even use canned diced tomatoes. Diced red peppers would taste great, too.
- Southwest Ranch Dressing - this easy dressing uses regular store bought ranch dressing mixed with an equal amount of your favorite salsa. If you like a little zest, you could also make this other version of Southwest Ranch Dressing. In a small bowl whisk together mayo, buttermilk, salsa, canned green chilis, and fresh cilantro.
How to Make Southwest Chicken Wraps
- Cook the chicken. Bake or air fry Chicken Tenders according to package instructions (or reheat 1½ pounds of rotisserie or leftover chicken). Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Southwest Ranch Dressing. In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing and salsa and set aside.
- Heat up the tortillas. Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a hot skillet then place on a flat work surface.
- Assemble the wraps. In the center of each tortilla add the chicken, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, romaine lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of southwest ranch dressing.
- Serve. Fold in the sides then roll the tortilla like a burrito. Serve warm or cold and enjoy!
Southwest Wrap Recipe Variations
Here are a few simple recipe variations for these Southwestern wraps:
- Spicy Southwest Chicken Wrap: Add a spicy kick to your wrap with sliced jalapenos, sriracha sauce, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Veggie Southwest Chicken Wrap: Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn.
- Breakfast Southwest Chicken Wrap: Make a breakfast version of this wrap by adding scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon, and avocado slices.
- BBQ Southwest Chicken Wrap: Swap the ranch for BBQ sauce and add crispy onion strings, and chopped cilantro.
- California Southwest Chicken Wrap: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas and add avocado, sprouts, and cucumber.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Southwest wrap recipe is great because you can use just about any other kind of chicken you can think of. Chicken nuggets are a great substitute, as is store bought rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken breasts, or any leftover shredded chicken.
To prevent soggy wraps, I don't suggest actually assembling these ahead of time. You can, however, prep most of the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge overnight. Once you are ready to serve, just warm up the chicken and tortillas and assemble as directed.
Whether you serve these Southwest Chicken Wraps hot or cold is completely up to you. They taste great as hot or cold chicken wraps. You will still want to warm the tortillas so that they roll up easily.
Storing and Reheating Southwest Wraps
- Refrigerator: if possible, store each ingredient separately in airtight containers or wrapped in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: to reheat chicken, either use a microwave or place in a preheated 350 degree oven until warmed through.
Southwest Chicken Wrap Recipe
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium Frozen Chicken Tenders cut into bite-sized pieces (or about 1½ pounds homemade chicken tenders, rotisserie chicken, or other leftover chicken)
- 4 large Flour Tortillas
- ½ cup Black Beans drain and rinse
- ½ cup Corn canned, fresh, or frozen and thawed
- ½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese can sub fiesta cheese, pepper jack cheese, or taco mix cheese
- 2 cups Romaine Lettuce chopped
- 1 large Tomato diced
Southwest Dressing
- ¼ cup Ranch Dressing
- ¼ cup Salsa
Instructions
- Bake or air fry the chicken tenders according to package instructions (or reheat 1½ pounds of rotisserie or leftover chicken). Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing and salsa and set aside.
- Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave or on a hot skillet then place on a flat work surface.
- In the center of each tortilla add the cooked chicken tenders, black beans, corn, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and a drizzle of southwest ranch dressing.
- Fold in the sides and then roll the tortilla like a burrito. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Easy and Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Alice Springs Chicken
- Southwest Baked Chicken (or Grilled)
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Lemon Pepper Rotisserie Chicken
- Thai Chicken Salad
- Easy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
- Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
- Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Slow Cooker Tangy Chicken Sliders
- More Meal Prep Recipes
- More Easy Weeknight Meals
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These Southwest Chicken Wraps are quick and easy and full of zesty flavor. They're the perfect grab-and-go solution for lunches or busy weeknights.
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