Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe

Craving a quick, satisfying meal that'll elevate your lunch game? The chicken Caesar wrap is your ultimate culinary solution. You'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that's both convenient and delicious. This isn't just another sandwich—it's a portable feast that combines grilled chicken, crisp romaine, and tangy Caesar dressing in a perfectly rolled tortilla. Want to know how to create this flavor-packed handheld marvel? Let's break down the steps that'll turn you into a wrap-making maestro.

Recipe Highlights

• Season and grill chicken breasts to 165°F, ensuring tender meat that forms the protein base of the classic Caesar wrap.
• Layer fresh romaine lettuce on a flour tortilla, creating an even base that provides crunch and traditional Caesar salad authenticity.
• Generously spread Caesar dressing across the tortilla, which adds creamy texture and signature tangy flavor to the wrap.
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the traditional Caesar flavor profile and add a subtle salty dimension to the dish.
• Carefully roll the tortilla by folding bottom edge up, tucking sides, and rolling tightly to create a compact, portable meal that preserves all ingredients.

History

Although the Caesar wrap might seem like a modern culinary creation, its roots trace back to the classic Caesar salad invented in the 1920s.

You'll find the original dish emerged from Caesar Cardini's restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, where he improvised a salad using available ingredients during a busy Fourth of July weekend.

The traditional Caesar salad featured romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a unique egg-based dressing, which gradually evolved over decades.

When chefs began experimenting with portable formats in the late 20th century, they transformed the classic salad into a convenient wrap.

You can thank culinary innovation for turning this restaurant staple into a quick, handheld meal that preserves the original's vibrant flavors and iconic ingredients.

Recipe

Grilling the chicken ensures a tender, flavorful protein base while keeping the preparation simple and nutritious. The key to a great Chicken Caesar Wrap lies in the quality of ingredients and the careful assembly that prevents soggy tortillas and maintains a perfect balance of textures.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for grilling

Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then brush lightly with olive oil. Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.

To assemble the wraps, warm the tortillas briefly to increase flexibility. Spread Caesar dressing evenly across each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Layer chopped romaine lettuce in the center, top with sliced chicken, and sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese. Fold in the sides of the tortilla and roll tightly, creating a compact wrap.

For best results, use fresh ingredients and serve immediately after assembly. If preparing in advance, store components separately and assemble just before eating to maintain the wrap's texture.

The chicken can be grilled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, making meal preparation even more convenient.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by grilling the chicken breast until it's fully cooked, ensuring a juicy and flavorful protein for your wrap.

Next, layer the crisp romaine lettuce evenly across the tortilla, creating a fresh green base, and sprinkle a generous amount of parmesan cheese for that classic Caesar salad tang.

Once your ingredients are in place, roll the tortilla tightly, tucking in the sides to keep everything secure, and slice diagonally for a picture-perfect presentation.

Step 1. Grill Chicken Until Fully Cooked

Fire up your grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring a perfectly cooked chicken breast for your Caesar wrap.

Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and optional herbs like thyme or rosemary. Place the chicken breast on the hot surface, listening for that satisfying sizzle.

Cook for 6-7 minutes per side, using these key doneness indicators:

• Internal temperature reaches 165°F
• Juices run clear when pierced
• Golden-brown exterior with distinct grill marks

Avoid constant flipping, which can prevent proper caramelization. Use tongs to turn the chicken once, creating those beautiful crosshatch grill marks.

Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices, ensuring maximum tenderness for your wrap.

Step 2. Layer Lettuce Evenly

Crisp romaine lettuce forms the vibrant, fresh foundation of your Chicken Caesar Wrap, requiring careful and strategic layering to ensure optimal texture and flavor distribution.

Select crisp, dark green romaine leaves, trimming away any wilted or discolored edges for maximum quality. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1/2-inch wide, creating uniform chunks that'll distribute evenly across the tortilla's surface.

• Spread lettuce in a consistent, thin layer
• Leave about 2 inches of space near tortilla edges
• Aim for complete coverage without overwhelming thickness

Position the chopped lettuce precisely in the tortilla's center, creating a stable base for chicken and cheese.

Don't pile lettuce too high—you'll want room to roll the wrap tightly without ingredient spillage.

Your goal: a balanced, manageable wrap with perfect lettuce distribution.

Step 3. Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese Generously

A generous sprinkle of authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese transforms your Chicken Caesar Wrap from simple to spectacular, adding a sharp, nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish.

Grate the cheese fresh, aiming for about 2 tablespoons per wrap, which provides the perfect balance of flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Key parmesan cheese tips:

• Use freshly grated cheese for maximum flavor
• Sprinkle evenly across the chicken and lettuce
• Position cheese just before rolling the wrap
• Aim for a light, consistent coverage

Don't overload the wrap; a delicate layer ensures each bite contains a hint of that classic parmesan tang.

The cheese should complement, not dominate, the wrap's overall flavor profile. Experiment with the quantity to find your perfect cheese-to-chicken ratio.

Step 4. Roll Tortilla Tightly

After sprinkling that perfect layer of parmesan, you'll want to master the art of wrapping your Chicken Caesar creation.

Position the tortilla flat, ensuring the filling stays centered and compact. Fold the bottom edge up tightly, creating a secure base that prevents ingredients from falling out. Gently fold the side edges inward, creating crisp, angled corners that help contain the filling.

Begin rolling from the bottom, applying consistent, firm pressure to create a compact cylinder. Keep the wrap tight but not so compressed that ingredients squeeze out. Aim for a neat, cylindrical shape with minimal air pockets.

Once rolled, place the wrap seam-side down to help it maintain its shape. For added stability, you can slice it diagonally, creating two manageable halves.

Step 5. Cut Wrap Diagonally

Once you've rolled your Chicken Caesar Wrap into a tight cylinder, you'll want to cut it diagonally to create two perfectly portioned halves.

Using a sharp chef's knife, position the blade at a 45-degree angle across the wrap's center, ensuring a clean, angled slice that creates visually appealing triangular halves.

This diagonal cut isn't just aesthetic—it helps prevent filling from spilling out and makes the wrap easier to handle and eat.

Pro tips for perfect diagonal cutting:

• Use a clean, sharp knife
• Apply gentle, steady pressure
• Cut swiftly in one smooth motion
• Wipe the blade between cuts for cleaner slices

Serve immediately on a plate, with the cut sides facing upward to showcase the wrap's delicious layers.

Final Thoughts

When crafting your Chicken Caesar Wrap, you'll discover it's more than just a simple meal—it's a delightful culinary experience that combines convenience with classic flavors.

This versatile dish allows you to customize ingredients, experiment with protein alternatives, and adjust seasoning to suit your taste preferences.

Whether you're a busy professional seeking a quick lunch or a home cook looking for an easy dinner option, the Chicken Caesar Wrap delivers satisfaction with minimal effort.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Skill level: Beginner
• Nutrition: Protein-packed
• Versatility: High

Remember that practice makes perfect.

As you become more comfortable with the technique, you'll develop your own signature style, transforming this basic recipe into a personal culinary statement.