Quick Caesar Wraps

Man, these chicken Caesar wraps were my lifesaver during that crazy period juggling my three kids' after-school stuff. There's just nothing that beats grabbing a wrap when you're rushing around!

I'll never forget bringing these to my sister's summer pool bash instead of regular chips and salsa. Her husband who usually won't touch anything but fast food ate THREE of them and sent me a message the next day wanting the instructions. That's when I knew I'd found a winner.

Essential Ingredients

• Romaine lettuce: Try to grab the hearts if possible - they're extra crunchy and won't wilt fast in your fridge. I've tested other greens but honestly romaine gives that signature Caesar snap.
• Chicken: Use whatever's handy. Got some leftover grilled chicken from Sunday? Perfect. Grocery store rotisserie bird? Even better since someone else did all the cooking.
• Caesar dressing: I make my own when time allows, but I'm totally fine grabbing Marzetti's from the cold section when things get busy.
• Parmesan cheese: Do yourself a favor and buy a chunk to grate fresh. That container stuff with the green lid just doesn't taste the same - believe me, I've tried shortcuts.
• Croutons: These crunchy bits cause fights between my kids. I usually create a large batch on Sundays when I'm trying to save old bread.
• Tortillas: You want the 10-inch size. I made the mistake of buying small ones once and everything spilled out everywhere - total mess in my son's lunch container.

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Simple Instructions

Mix Everything

I combine it all in my biggest mixing bowl - that blue one from my mom that's probably older than my marriage. Don't go overboard with dressing or you'll end up with sogginess. My husband always dumps too much in and then wonders why his lunch falls apart. Typical.

The Tortilla Secret

Always warm your tortillas! Skip this and they'll break when you fold them. I usually pop mine in a dry skillet for about 20 seconds while finishing the filling. My teenager started wrapping them in damp paper towels for the microwave after watching some TikTok, and I hate admitting it works really well.

Proper Filling Placement

Don't pile everything in the center. Spread your filling in a strip across the bottom third of the tortilla. I figured this out after countless messy, uneven wraps.

Wrapping Method

Tuck in both sides first, then roll from the bottom up, keeping it tight as you go. For packed lunches, a bit of parchment paper works way better than plastic wrap for holding everything together.

These wraps started when my oldest hit middle school and suddenly decided bringing sandwiches wasn't trendy anymore. Now we rely on them for busy sports evenings, quick lunches, and those nights when it's too hot to cook and everyone's hungry.

Complete Your Dinner

We typically add some seasonal fruit on the side - whatever looks good or costs less that week. When my carb-conscious mother-in-law visits, I skip the wrap and just serve everything in a bowl. For gatherings, I slice them into pinwheels and everyone thinks I put in way more work than I actually did.

Try These Variations

I often throw in whatever produce needs using up. Got half an avocado? Chop it in. Those cherry tomatoes getting soft? Toss them in too. My husband adds hot sauce because that man puts it on literally everything. The kids love when I sprinkle in some bacon bits, especially if it's real bacon from breakfast rather than the store-bought kind.

Storage Tips

If you're eating later, keep everything apart! Nothing's worse than finding a mushy wrap at lunchtime. I pack all the parts in those divided containers for my daughter, and she puts it together herself - she enjoys playing food assembly in front of her friends.

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Practical Wisdom

• Cut the lettuce smaller than you think necessary for much easier eating
• Add the croutons right before serving or they'll turn mushy and ruin the texture
• Making a couple extra means tomorrow's lunch is already figured out

These wraps have come to our rescue more times than I can remember. Between soccer nights, dance classes, and when my husband works late, we're often eating in shifts or straight-up in the car. At least with these, I know everyone's getting something decent instead of fast food again. And hey, they've got lettuce, so I'm counting that as a veggie win!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of chicken should I use?

Any kind! Rotisserie, grilled, or leftover chicken all work well.

→ How far ahead can these be prepped?

You can prep the ingredients earlier, but keep the wraps unassembled until just before eating to prevent soggy tortillas.

→ What can I eat with these?

Pair them with fruit, chips, or an easy soup to round out your meal.

→ Could I add more vegetables?

Sure, toss in some diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, or cucumbers for extra crunch and color.

→ Can I use a different type of wrap?

Of course! Try spinach wraps, whole wheat ones, or gluten-free options.