Nostalgic Appeal
This wrap reminds me of those sunny afternoons spent enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal with friends and family. The combination of zesty flavors, fresh ingredients, and a warm tortilla is a classic for a reason. It’s a dish that evokes feelings of warmth, happiness, and those carefree moments enjoying a flavorful and fulfilling meal.
Homemade Focus
While you could certainly buy pre-made wraps or ingredients, there’s something truly special about making this Southwest Chicken Wrap from scratch. You control the quality of the ingredients, and the process of marinating the chicken, preparing the vegetables, and assembling the wrap is a fun and rewarding experience.
Flavor Goal
The flavor profile I’m aiming for is a delightful explosion of zesty, spicy, and savory flavors with a creamy finish. The chipotle chicken is marinated in a blend of spices and chipotle peppers, adding a smoky and spicy kick. The fresh vegetables provide a crunchy texture and a burst of flavor, the rice adds a hearty base, and the southwest crema brings a creamy and tangy element that ties everything together.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s explore the key ingredients that make this wrap so special! For the chicken, we use [boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced and marinated in a blend of lime juice, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, olive oil, and chipotle peppers in adobo]. Then comes the [large tortillas, providing a soft and warm wrap for the filling]. We also incorporate [uncooked rice, cooked according to package instructions, adding a hearty base to the wrap]. The [fresh vegetables, including red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and garlic, sautéed to perfection for a burst of flavor and texture]. The [corn kernels and black beans, adding sweetness and a hearty element]. The [cotija cheese, providing a salty and crumbly finish]. And finally, for the southwest crema, we blend [sour cream, honey, chipotle peppers in adobo, lime juice, fresh cilantro, water, and salt, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce].
Essential Equipment
For this recipe, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment: a large bowl for marinating the chicken, a skillet for cooking the chicken and vegetables, a high-speed blender or food processor for making the crema, and measuring spoons.
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- ¾ lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo
Southwest Wrap:
- 4 large tortillas
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¾ cup thawed or fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
Southwest Crema:
- â…“ cup sour cream
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- ½-1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and dice into small bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to a large bowl. Add in marinade ingredients, oil, seasonings, lime juice, and chipotle pepper. Mix the chicken really well so it’s evenly coated. Let the chicken sit for 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Prepare the Other Ingredients: While the chicken is marinating, start to make the rice (cook according to the package) and prepare all the wrap ingredients, including the sauce/crema. To make the sauce, add all of the sauce ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Cook the Chicken: Slice the veggies and mince the garlic. In a large skillet, add the marinated chicken and sauté on medium heat for about 12-15 minutes or until chicken bites are cooked through. Set cooked chicken aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and add in chopped peppers and onions and ½ teaspoon of oil. Sauté for about 8 minutes, add the garlic, and turn the heat down to low. Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and just let it warm, do not overcook it.
- Assemble the Wraps: Once the chicken and veggies are warmed through, heat up your tortillas or wraps and start to stuff them. Start with rice, chicken, veggies, beans, corn, cheese, and drizzle a generous amount of sauce over all the ingredients.
- Wrap and Serve: Wrap the chipotle chicken and southwest ingredients up tightly like you would a burrito. Add more sauce as needed and enjoy!
Troubleshooting
- Chicken is dry: Avoid overcooking the chicken. Cook just until it’s golden brown and cooked through. You can also add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to the pan while cooking to keep the chicken moist.
- Wraps are soggy: Make sure the tortillas are warm before assembling the wraps. You can also grill the wraps for a longer time to make them crispy.
- Sauce is too thick: Add more water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Tips and Variations
- Use different types of protein, such as shrimp, steak, or tofu.
- Add different vegetables to the filling, such as sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Use different types of cheese, such as cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or a blend of your favorites.
- Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less chipotle peppers in adobo.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Southwest Chicken Wraps are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a side salad, chips and salsa, or your favorite dipping sauce. They’re perfect for a quick and easy lunch, a casual dinner, or a fun party snack.
Nutritional Information (Estimated, per serving)
(This information is an estimate based on average values for the ingredients used and a serving size of one wrap. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands, ingredient substitutions, and portion sizes.)
- Calories: Approximately 600-650
- Fat: Approximately 30-35g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 10-12g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 80-90mg
- Protein: Approximately 40-45g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 60-65g
- Fiber: Approximately 5-7g
- Sugar: Approximately 10-12g
- Sodium: Approximately 800-900mg (may vary depending on the type of cheese used)
To get more precise nutritional information:
- Use a nutrition calculator: Many online calculators allow you to input the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This will give you the most accurate results.
- Check food labels: Pay close attention to the nutrition facts panels on the packaging of your ingredients.
- Adjust for variations: If you make substitutions (e.g., different type of protein), adjust the calculations accordingly.
Flavor Fiesta: Southwest Chicken Wrap
Description
These Southwest Chicken Wraps are a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch or a casual dinner. They’re filled with tender chipotle chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy southwest crema. Learn how to make this flavorful and satisfying recipe
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- ¾ lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo
Southwest Wrap:
- 4 large tortillas
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¾ cup thawed or fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
Southwest Crema:
- â…“ cup sour cream
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- ½–1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1–2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and dice into small bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to a large bowl. Add in marinade ingredients, oil, seasonings, lime juice, and chipotle pepper. Mix the chicken really well so it’s evenly coated. Let the chicken sit for 15 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Prepare the Other Ingredients: While the chicken is marinating, start to make the rice (cook according to the package) and prepare all the wrap ingredients, including the sauce/crema. To make the sauce, add all of the sauce ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Cook the Chicken: Slice the veggies and mince the garlic. In a large skillet, add the marinated chicken and sauté on medium heat for about 12-15 minutes or until chicken bites are cooked through. Set cooked chicken aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and add in chopped peppers and onions and ½ teaspoon of oil. Sauté for about 8 minutes, add the garlic, and turn the heat down to low. Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and just let it warm, do not overcook it.
- Assemble the Wraps: Once the chicken and veggies are warmed through, heat up your tortillas or wraps and start to stuff them. Start with rice, chicken, veggies, beans, corn, cheese, and drizzle a generous amount of sauce over all the ingredients.
- Wrap and Serve: Wrap the chipotle chicken and southwest ingredients up tightly like you would a burrito. Add more sauce as needed and enjoy!
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Q: Can I make these wraps ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can marinate the chicken and prepare the other ingredients ahead of time. Assemble the wraps when you’re ready to serve.
Q: Can I freeze these wraps?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze these wraps, as the texture of the tortillas and vegetables may be affected.
Q: Can I use a different type of tortilla?
A: Absolutely! You can use any type of tortilla you prefer, such as whole wheat tortillas, spinach tortillas, or gluten-free tortillas.