Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Spicy, Fresh, and Weeknight Easy
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fast, flavor-packed option for busy nights. They have all the punch of classic Buffalo wings but feel light, crisp, and satisfying. You get heat from the sauce, crunch from cool lettuce, and a creamy finish from a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese.
They’re easy to customize and hard to mess up. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself, this is a quick recipe that feels like a treat.
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the lettuce: Separate the leaves, rinse, and pat them completely dry. Keep the larger, cup-shaped leaves. Chill them in the fridge for extra crunch.
- If starting with raw chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Warm a skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Sear 5–6 minutes per side, until cooked through (165°F internal). Rest 5 minutes, then shred with two forks.
- Make the Buffalo sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the Buffalo sauce and garlic, if using. Taste and adjust—add more sauce for heat or a little extra butter for a milder, silky finish.
- Toss the chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the warm Buffalo sauce and stir until fully coated. Keep over low heat for 2–3 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
- Prep the crunch: Dice celery, shred carrot, and slice red onion and green onions.
- Build the wraps: Lay out lettuce cups. Spoon in Buffalo chicken. Top with celery, carrot, and red onion. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and green onions. Finish with a light squeeze of lemon or lime.
- Serve right away: Lettuce wraps are best assembled and eaten fresh so they stay crisp.
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Get Your Program TodayWhat Makes This Recipe So Good
- Big flavor, minimal effort: Rotisserie chicken or quick-cooked chicken makes this come together fast.
- Fresh and crunchy: Crisp lettuce balances the heat and keeps every bite refreshing.
- Flexible spice level: Adjust the Buffalo sauce and butter to make it mild or wild.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make the chicken ahead and build wraps on demand.
- Lighter than wings: All the Buffalo flavor without heavy breading or deep frying.
Shopping List
- Chicken: 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great) or 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Buffalo sauce: 1/2 to 3/4 cup (Frank’s RedHot-style)
- Butter: 2 tablespoons (to mellow the heat and add richness)
- Lettuce: 1–2 heads butter lettuce or romaine hearts (for sturdy cups)
- Celery: 2 stalks, finely diced
- Carrot: 1 medium, finely shredded or matchstick-cut
- Red onion: 1/4 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced (optional)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: For drizzling
- Blue cheese crumbles or feta: Optional, for topping
- Green onions or chives: Sliced, for garnish
- Lemon or lime: 1, for a bright squeeze at the end
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (if cooking raw chicken)
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Prep the lettuce: Separate the leaves, rinse, and pat them completely dry. Keep the larger, cup-shaped leaves.
Chill them in the fridge for extra crunch.
- If starting with raw chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Warm a skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Sear 5–6 minutes per side, until cooked through (165°F internal).
Rest 5 minutes, then shred with two forks.
- Make the Buffalo sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the Buffalo sauce and garlic, if using. Taste and adjust—add more sauce for heat or a little extra butter for a milder, silky finish.
- Toss the chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the warm Buffalo sauce and stir until fully coated.
Keep over low heat for 2–3 minutes to let the flavors soak in.
- Prep the crunch: Dice celery, shred carrot, and slice red onion and green onions.
- Build the wraps: Lay out lettuce cups. Spoon in Buffalo chicken. Top with celery, carrot, and red onion.
Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and green onions. Finish with a light squeeze of lemon or lime.
- Serve right away: Lettuce wraps are best assembled and eaten fresh so they stay crisp.
Keeping It Fresh
- Store components separately: Keep the dressed chicken in one container and the lettuce and toppings in others.
This prevents sogginess.
- Refrigeration: Buffalo chicken keeps well for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheating: Warm the chicken gently on the stove or in the microwave until just hot. Avoid overheating, which can dry it out.
- Make-ahead tip: Wash and dry lettuce ahead of time, then store wrapped in paper towels in a zip-top bag. It will stay crisp for 2–3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked Buffalo chicken for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. Don’t freeze the lettuce or fresh veggies.
Health Benefits
- High in protein: Chicken provides a satisfying, lean source of protein that supports muscle repair and keeps you full longer.
- Lighter than wraps or buns: Using lettuce instead of bread cuts carbs and calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Veggie boost: Celery, carrots, and onions add fiber, vitamins A and K, and a refreshing crunch.
- Customizable fats: Control the richness by adjusting butter and choosing a lighter dressing or yogurt-based ranch.
- Gluten-free friendly: Naturally gluten-free as long as your sauce and dressing are certified gluten-free.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wet lettuce: If the leaves aren’t fully dry, your wraps will slip and sog. Dry them well or chill them to help them firm up.
- Over-saucing: Too much sauce can overwhelm the lettuce and make the wraps messy.
Coat the chicken thoroughly but don’t pool sauce in the leaves.
- Using flimsy lettuce: Choose sturdy lettuce like butter or romaine hearts. Avoid very delicate spring leaves.
- Skipping the acidity: A little lemon or lime brightens the richness and balances the heat. Don’t skip it.
- Building too early: Assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Recipe Variations
- Grilled Buffalo chicken: Grill seasoned chicken breasts, slice thin, and toss with warmed Buffalo sauce for smoky flavor.
- Crispy chicken bites: Air-fry or oven-bake breaded chicken pieces, then toss in Buffalo sauce for a wing-like texture.
- Buffalo cauliflower: Swap chicken for roasted cauliflower florets tossed in Buffalo sauce for a vegetarian version.
- Greek yogurt ranch: Mix Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning, lemon juice, and a splash of milk for a lighter, tangy drizzle.
- Extra veggies: Add sliced cucumber, shredded cabbage, or diced bell pepper for more crunch.
- Low-heat, kid-friendly: Use half Buffalo sauce and half butter, or mix in a little honey to soften the heat.
- Spicy upgrade: Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce to the Buffalo mix.
Top with pickled jalapeños.
- Blue cheese lovers: Stir blue cheese crumbles directly into the Buffalo chicken for a creamy, tangy filling.
FAQ
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, you can. Drain it well, shred with a fork, and warm it gently in the Buffalo sauce. It won’t be as juicy as freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken, but it works in a pinch.
What’s the best lettuce for wraps?
Butter lettuce is soft yet sturdy and makes perfect cups.
Romaine hearts also work well, especially the larger inner leaves that hold their shape.
How spicy are these wraps?
It depends on your sauce and butter ratio. For a milder wrap, use more butter and less sauce. For more heat, skip the butter and add a dash of cayenne.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes.
Use a dairy-free butter or skip it and add a splash of olive oil for richness. Choose a dairy-free ranch or a simple drizzle of olive oil and lemon.
What sides go well with these?
Try a simple side salad, celery and carrot sticks, roasted sweet potatoes, or corn on the cob. For something heartier, serve with quinoa or brown rice.
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
Don’t overcook it.
If starting from raw, cook just to 165°F and rest before shredding. When reheating, warm gently and add a splash of water or extra sauce if needed.
Can I serve this cold?
Absolutely. The Buffalo chicken tastes great chilled or at room temperature.
Assemble right before eating to keep the lettuce crisp.
Wrapping Up
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps deliver bold flavor with a fresh, easy twist. They’re quick to assemble, friendly to different diets, and endlessly customizable. Keep the components on hand, and you’ve got a weeknight winner that always hits the spot.
Whether you like them mild or fiery, these wraps bring all the Buffalo comfort with a crisp, clean finish.
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