If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful lunch or dinner that’s both satisfying and fresh, you’re in the right place. I’m excited to share my Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe with you — a meal that’s packed with vibrant ingredients and creamy pesto goodness, making it a family favorite anytime of the week. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, feeding hungry kids after school, or just craving something light but filling, these wraps really hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy and Fast: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy days or last-minute meals.
- Fresh Flavors: The pesto and Caesar dressing combo delivers a bright, herbaceous punch with every bite.
- Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or adjust for your family’s tastes or dietary needs.
- Satisfying and Balanced: Protein, veggies, and healthy fats come together to keep you full and energized.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe shines because of the simple, quality ingredients that blend beautifully. Keep your pesto fresh or grab a good store brand, and trust me, rotisserie chicken works like a charm if you’re short on time!
- Cooked Chicken: Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken are my go-tos—so tender and flavorful.
- Pesto: Fresh is best, and I sometimes make my own spinach walnut pesto, but a good store-bought version works just fine too.
- Grated Parmesan: Adds a lovely salty bite; optional but highly recommended.
- Wraps: Any large flour tortillas or your favorite wrap will do; I prefer ones that are soft but sturdy.
- Romaine Lettuce: Shredded for that perfect crunch and freshness.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved or sliced, they add juicy sweetness and color.
- Caesar Dressing Ingredients (Mayo, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Parmesan, Garlic, Capers & Brine, Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, Salt, Pepper): These combine to make a tangy, creamy dressing that elevates everything.
Variations
I love customizing this Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe to keep things interesting or to adapt to whatever’s in the fridge. You’ll find that swapping ingredients or adjusting textures can totally change the vibe — try what feels fun!
- Veggie Boost: Sometimes, I add thinly sliced bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch and freshness — it’s a total game changer.
- Different Proteins: Swap chicken for turkey or even grilled tofu if you want to mix up your proteins.
- Wrap Alternatives: Try whole wheat or gluten-free wraps to suit dietary preferences without losing any flavor.
- Spice it Up: Add a little crushed red pepper or a dash of hot sauce inside the wrap for a kick—my family goes crazy for that twist.
How to Make Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by chopping your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces — this makes it easier to eat and ensures every forkful tastes balanced. Then, shred your romaine lettuce and slice your cherry tomatoes. If you’re making your own pesto, prepare that now and set it aside. Pro tip: chopping everything evenly helps the flavors marry better inside the wrap.
Step 2: Whip Up the Caesar Dressing
Pop all the Caesar dressing ingredients into a blender or food processor, then blend until smooth. Taste it and adjust with a pinch of salt if needed. You’ll notice how that garlicky, tangy dressing lifts the whole wrap beyond ordinary. I always make this fresh for maximum flavor, but you can use store-bought Caesar too in a pinch.
Step 3: Toss the Salad and Chicken
In one medium bowl, toss the shredded romaine and tomatoes with about half of the Caesar dressing until every bit is lightly coated. In another large bowl, combine your chopped chicken with the pesto, mixing well so every piece is gloriously coated in that herby goodness. You can always add a little more pesto here if it looks dry — start small, then build flavor.
Step 4: Build and Wrap
Lay your wrap flat and start with the salad mixture in the center—don’t overstuff or you’ll have a messy time later. Next, pile on a generous scoop of pesto chicken right on top. Sprinkle extra Parmesan if you’re feeling indulgent, and drizzle a little more Caesar dressing or save it for dipping. Now fold the bottom up and sides over to create a neat burrito-style wrap.
Step 5: Optional Toasting for Extra Flavor
Here’s a little trick I discovered that makes these wraps extra special: heat a skillet over medium, spritz with a bit of oil, and place your wrapped chicken pesto seam side down. Toast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and slightly crisp. This warms everything through and adds a delightful texture that my family absolutely adores.
Pro Tips for Making Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe
- Use Quality Pesto: I once tried a cheaper pesto and the wrap lacked that fresh herbal punch—go for a basil-rich pesto with plenty of olive oil for best results.
- Balance Moisture: If your chicken seems dry, add more pesto little by little; similarly, don’t overdress the lettuce or your wrap might get soggy.
- Wrap Assembly: Folding the wrap “burrito-style” and toasting seam side down locks everything in place so it won’t unravel while eating.
- Storage Tip: Store leftover wraps chilled in airtight containers and avoid adding extra dressing until serving to keep them fresh.
How to Serve Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish these wraps with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and sometimes a handful of fresh basil leaves if I have them on hand. A couple of cracked black pepper turns the flavor dial up a notch. If you want a bit of crunch, toasted pine nuts or walnuts on top are delightful.
Side Dishes
This wrap pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some light roasted veggies. For a casual lunch, I often serve it with kettle-cooked chips or a side of fresh fruit for balance and variety.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or meal prep, slice these wraps diagonally and arrange them on a platter for a colorful, appetizing spread. You can even secure each half with a toothpick and serve them alongside small bowls of extra pesto or Caesar dressing for dipping — your guests will love the interactive touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover Chicken Pesto Wraps in airtight containers in the fridge, ideally eating them within three days to keep flavors fresh and prevent the wraps from getting soggy. If you’re packing these for lunch, wrap them tightly in parchment paper or foil, which helps hold everything together.
Freezing
While I haven’t frozen the assembled wraps themselves (because the lettuce gets soggy), you can freeze cooked chicken with pesto separately in freezer bags. Then just thaw and assemble fresh when you’re ready—it keeps the flavors vibrant and crisp.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I recommend warming wrapped portions in a skillet over medium heat just like the toasting step I mentioned earlier. This warms the chicken nicely while toasting the wrap gives it that irresistible crunch and prevents it from getting soggy in the microwave.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought pesto for this Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe?
Absolutely! While homemade pesto offers a fresher, more vibrant flavor, a good quality store-bought pesto works wonderfully as a shortcut. Just taste it first to make sure it has the brightness you want, and add a little extra if needed for moisture and flavor balance.
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What’s the best way to prevent the wrap from getting soggy?
To keep your Chicken Pesto Wraps fresh, don’t over-dress the lettuce and add wet ingredients like tomatoes last when assembling. Wrapping tightly and toasting in a skillet also helps maintain structure and texture when serving.
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Can I make these wraps vegetarian?
Definitely! Replace the chicken with grilled or roasted veggies, chickpeas, or even marinated tofu with pesto. The Caesar dressing can also be swapped out for a vegetarian-friendly alternative or omitted altogether for a lighter option.
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How long do these wraps stay fresh?
Stored properly in the fridge, these wraps are best eaten within 3 days. For longer storage, keep ingredients separate and assemble just before eating to enjoy the best texture and flavors.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe comes together — it’s just one of those meals that feels light but filling, simple but special. I remember the first time I made it for my family, and they kept asking for seconds! Once you make it, you’ll have a go-to wrap that’s perfect for busy days, casual dinners, or quick lunches. Trust me, tuck this recipe in your back pocket—you’ll turn to it over and over.
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Chicken Pesto Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 wraps
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Chicken Pesto Wraps are a quick, flavorful lunch or dinner option featuring tender grilled chicken tossed in vibrant pesto, fresh romaine, ripe cherry tomatoes, and a tangy homemade Caesar dressing, all wrapped up in soft tortillas. Perfect for meal prep or an easy weeknight meal, you can enjoy them cold or toasted for a warm, crispy finish.
Ingredients
Chicken Pesto Wraps
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/3 cup pesto (add more as needed)
- 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 4 wraps (tortillas)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt as a substitute)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 Tbsp capers with brine
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the grilled chicken into small bite-sized pieces and set aside. If making your own pesto, prepare it now and set aside. Shred the romaine lettuce and slice the cherry tomatoes, then set aside.
- Make Caesar Dressing: Combine all Caesar dressing ingredients – mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, garlic, capers with brine, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper – into a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and add a pinch more salt if desired.
- Toss Salad: In a medium-sized bowl, mix the shredded romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and half of the Caesar dressing to coat everything evenly.
- Mix Chicken with Pesto: In a large bowl, add the chopped chicken and the pesto. Stir well to ensure the chicken is fully coated with the flavorful pesto.
- Assemble Wrap: Lay a wrap flat and add a portion of the salad mixture in the center, being careful not to overfill to avoid the wrap falling apart. Top with a generous amount of the pesto-coated chicken. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and drizzle more Caesar dressing if desired, or save extra dressing for dipping.
- Fold and Toast: Fold the wrap like a burrito. You can eat it as is, or toast it in a hot skillet. To toast, spritz a little oil in the skillet over medium heat, place the wrap seam side down, and toast for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and warm.
Notes
- Use leftover grilled chicken breasts or store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Chicken texture may vary in dryness depending on cooking method and size; pesto moisture content may also vary, so adjust quantities as needed.
- Start with ⅓ cup pesto and add more if desired to avoid overdressing the chicken.
- Plain Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier substitute for mayonnaise in the Caesar dressing.
- Store leftover wraps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
