Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight meal! These BBQ Chicken Wraps are the perfect solution for a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying dinner that the whole family will love. Packed with juicy, saucy chicken, crisp veggies, and melted cheese, all bundled in a soft tortilla, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. Forget complicated meals; you can have these delicious wraps on the table in under 30 minutes. They are perfect for a busy evening, a simple lunch, or even a fun party food.
We’re talking about tender shredded chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce, layered with a fresh and crunchy coleslaw mix, sharp red onions, and creamy melted cheddar cheese. It’s a flavor explosion in every single bite. This simple recipe proves that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. Let’s dive in and make the best BBQ Chicken Wraps you’ve ever had!
Why You’ll Love These Easy BBQ Chicken Wraps
- Incredibly Fast: This is the ultimate 30-minute meal. Using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken makes it even faster!
- Full of Flavor: The combination of smoky BBQ sauce, savory chicken, fresh slaw, and melted cheese is simply irresistible.
- Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to add your favorite fillings like bacon, avocado, or different cheeses. We love making them alongside our Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps for a little variety.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare the chicken filling ahead of time for an even quicker assembly when you’re ready to eat.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect BBQ Chicken Wraps
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its components. You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create amazing flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
Choosing Your Chicken
The star of our BBQ Chicken Wraps is, of course, the chicken. You have a few great options here. For maximum speed, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend. Simply shred the meat and it’s ready to go. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand, whether it’s baked, grilled, or poached. If starting from scratch, simply cook two chicken breasts and shred them with two forks.
The Best BBQ Sauce
The BBQ sauce brings all the flavors together. You can use your favorite store-bought brand—whether you prefer sweet, smoky, or spicy. For an extra special touch, a homemade BBQ sauce would be fantastic. The key is to use a sauce you genuinely love, as it’s a dominant flavor in the wrap.
Toppings and Fillings
This is where you can get creative! Our core recipe calls for a simple yet delicious combination:
- Large Flour Tortillas: Use burrito-sized tortillas to ensure you can fit all the fillings without them spilling out.
- Shredded Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is a classic choice that melts beautifully and complements the BBQ sauce. Monterey Jack or a Colby blend would also work well.
- Coleslaw Mix: For a refreshing crunch and a bit of tang. You can use a pre-made mix or toss it with a little mayonnaise or ranch dressing.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, zesty bite that cuts through the richness of the sauce and cheese.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Wraps (Step-by-Step)
Making these shredded chicken wraps is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce. Mix well until all the chicken is evenly coated.
- Warm the Tortillas: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side. This makes them more pliable and easier to roll.
- Assemble the Wraps: Lay a warm tortilla on a flat surface. Sprinkle a line of shredded cheddar cheese down the center. Top with the BBQ chicken mixture, followed by the coleslaw mix and thinly sliced red onions.
- Fold and Sear: Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then tightly roll it up like a burrito. Place the wrap seam-side down in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is perfectly melted.
This method gives you a fantastic crispy exterior, similar to what makes our Sweet Chili Halloumi Wraps so popular.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack your wraps with filling, but this can make them difficult to roll and prone to tearing. Be generous, but leave enough room to fold them securely.
- Warm Your Tortillas: This is a crucial step! A warm tortilla is much more flexible and less likely to crack when you’re rolling it.
- Sear for a Crispy Finish: Don’t skip the final step of searing the wraps in a skillet. It creates a delicious, crispy texture and ensures the cheese is gooey and melted.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, feel free to mix things up! Here are a few ideas:
- Add Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with BBQ chicken.
- Include Avocado: Creamy sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole can add a wonderful new texture.
- Spice It Up: Add some sliced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to your chicken mixture for a spicy kick. If you enjoy a little heat, you might also like our Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup.
- Use Ranch: Drizzle a little ranch dressing inside the wrap along with the BBQ sauce for a classic flavor combination.
What to Serve with Your Wraps
These BBQ Chicken Wraps are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving them with a side of crispy French fries, a fresh garden salad, creamy macaroni and cheese, or some roasted vegetables like our popular Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
The assembled wraps are best enjoyed fresh to prevent them from becoming soggy. However, you can prepare the BBQ chicken filling up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the wraps and sear them in the skillet. It’s a great meal prep strategy for busy weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the assembled wraps are best eaten fresh, you can prepare the BBQ chicken filling 2-3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. This makes assembly incredibly fast when you’re ready to eat.
To prevent soggy wraps, make sure your fillings aren’t overly wet. Using a coleslaw mix without dressing until just before serving can help. Also, searing the wrap in a skillet creates a crispy barrier that helps keep it from getting soft.
These wraps are very versatile. They pair wonderfully with classic sides like French fries, potato salad, a simple green salad, corn on the cob, or creamy mac and cheese.
A classic BBQ chicken wrap typically includes shredded chicken coated in BBQ sauce, shredded cheese (like cheddar), and a crunchy element like coleslaw or lettuce, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Red onions and a drizzle of ranch are also popular additions.
Rotisserie chicken is the quickest and easiest option. However, any cooked, shredded chicken will work perfectly, whether it’s baked, grilled, or boiled.
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BBQ Chicken Wraps (Quick & Easy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Stir until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave to make them pliable. Lay a tortilla flat and sprinkle about 1/4 of the shredded cheese down the center. Top with the BBQ chicken mixture, coleslaw, and sliced red onion.
- Fold in the two sides of the tortilla, then roll it up tightly from the bottom to create a burrito-style wrap.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the wraps seam-side down and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't skip searing the wraps! It gives them a wonderful crispy texture that takes them to the next level.
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