If you love the zingy, bold flavors of buffalo chicken combined with a satisfying crunch wrapped up in a soft tortilla, then you are going to adore this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe. It’s the ultimate game day favorite or a deliciously comforting meal that brings together crispy, tender chicken strips smothered in tangy buffalo sauce with fresh, crisp veggies and creamy dressing all rolled into one perfect bite. Whether you bake or air fry, these wraps cook up beautifully, making them a total crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the right balance of crispy, spicy, and fresh is everything in this recipe. Each ingredient plays a simple yet vital role in building layers of flavor and texture that make these wraps so irresistible.
- Chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts: Choose tender strips that cook evenly and stay juicy inside the crispy coating.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick and creates a light base layer for crunch.
- Eggs, beaten: Acts as the glue that holds the breadcrumbs onto the chicken.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to extra crunch that outshines regular breadcrumbs.
- Garlic powder and paprika: Add a subtle kick and smoky warmth to the crispy coating.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors.
- Buffalo sauce: The bold, tangy star that dresses the crispy chicken strips perfectly.
- Large flour tortillas: Soft and flexible bases for wrapping everything up neatly.
- Shredded lettuce: Adds a fresh crunch and a cool contrast to the spicy chicken.
- Diced tomatoes: Bring juiciness and a burst of natural sweetness.
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese: Provides a creamy, melty finish.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Balances the heat with its cool, tangy creaminess.
- Oil spray: Helps crisp the chicken to perfection when baking or air frying.
How to Make Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the breading station
Set yourself up for success by arranging three shallow bowls: one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one mixing the panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This triad ensures that each chicken strip picks up a perfectly crispy crust that’s bursting with flavor.
Step 2: Bread the chicken
Take each chicken strip and dredge it first in flour, then dip it into the eggs, and finally coat it generously with the seasoned panko mixture. This layering leads to the ultimate crispy and flavorful bite that will make your wraps stand out.
Step 3: Cook the chicken to crispy perfection
Arrange your breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or into your air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil to encourage a golden crispness. Bake them at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes or air fry at 390°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result? Perfectly cooked chicken with a crisp crust surrounding juicy, tender meat.
Step 4: Toss in buffalo sauce
While the chicken is still hot, toss the strips in your buffalo sauce of choice, ensuring every bite is coated with that signature spicy, tangy goodness that defines this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe.
Step 5: Assemble the wraps
To assemble, lay out your large tortillas and layer in shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and your buffalo-coated chicken strips. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing and roll them up tightly. Slice in half to make handling easier and to show off that colorful, delicious filling.
How to Serve Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes elevate the wraps even further. Consider adding chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or thin slices of ripe avocado to add creamy texture and fresh herbal notes that contrast beautifully with the spicy chicken.
Side Dishes
Serve your wraps alongside crunchy veggie sticks like celery or carrot for a cool, crisp bite that balances the heat. A side of crispy sweet potato fries or classic kettle chips also complements the dish perfectly with their satisfying textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your wrap into a fun party platter by slicing the wraps into smaller pinwheel bites for easy sharing. Alternatively, serve them alongside mini dipping bowls of extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing to let everyone customize their own flavor level.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the wraps tightly wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Keep in mind the crispy chicken might soften after refrigeration, so it’s best enjoyed fresh whenever possible.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken strips separately in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Avoid freezing the assembled wraps to maintain the crisp texture and fresh veggies.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken strips in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness. Reassemble the wraps with fresh veggies and dressings just before serving for the best taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I use grilled chicken instead of breaded chicken?
Absolutely! If you prefer a lighter version, grilled chicken works wonderfully. It won’t have the same crunch but will offer delicious smoky flavor that pairs well with buffalo sauce.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No worries at all! Baking the wraps in a conventional oven works just as well. Make sure to use oil spray and flip the chicken halfway through to get that perfect crisp.
Can I make these wraps ahead of time for a party?
You can prepare the chicken strips in advance and reheat before assembling. However, assembling the wraps too early may cause them to become soggy. For the best experience, add fresh veggies and dressings just before serving.
What’s the difference between ranch and blue cheese dressing in this recipe?
Both dressings offer a creamy, cooling contrast to the spicy buffalo sauce. Ranch has a milder, herbaceous flavor, while blue cheese adds a more pungent, tangy kick depending on your taste preferences.
Can I add extra heat to this recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to add extra hot sauce to the buffalo sauce or sprinkle sliced jalapeños inside the wrap. You can also spice up the panko mixture with cayenne pepper for an extra fiery crunch.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so wonderfully satisfying about this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe that makes it a go-to for dinners, game day tables, or anytime you crave a flavorful, crunchy, and comforting meal. The combination of textures and flavors truly brings joy to every bite, so I can’t wait for you to try it and share it with your loved ones. Once you do, these wraps will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe rotation!
Print
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 wraps
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Kid-Friendly
Description
These Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wraps combine tender chicken strips coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mix, baked or air fried to perfection, then tossed in spicy buffalo sauce. Wrapped with fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, shredded cheese, and drizzled with creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, these wraps are a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for game days or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Oil spray for baking or air frying
Sauce and Wraps
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Preheat Equipment: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) to ensure the cooking environment is ready for crispy chicken.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three separate bowls: one with the all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This setup will help bread the chicken evenly and add flavor.
- Bread the Chicken: Take each chicken strip and dredge it first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture to ensure a crispy crust once cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet or into the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with oil to aid browning and crisping. Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes or air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through until the chicken is crispy and cooked through.
- Coat Chicken in Buffalo Sauce: Once cooked, immediately toss the hot chicken strips in buffalo sauce to coat them evenly, infusing each bite with spicy flavor.
- Assemble the Wraps: Lay out each flour tortilla and layer shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and the buffalo chicken strips. Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing for added creaminess and flavor.
- Wrap and Serve: Tightly roll each tortilla around the fillings, slice in half, and serve the wraps warm for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Make the wrap lighter and healthier by using grilled chicken strips instead of breaded, fried chicken.
- Add sliced avocado, red onion, or extra hot sauce for more flavor and texture variety.
- These wraps can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator but are best enjoyed fresh to maintain crispiness.
