
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps: A Quick, Delicious, and Customizable Meal
Buffalo chicken ranch wraps are the ultimate quick and easy meal. They combine the spicy kick of buffalo sauce with the cool, creamy tang of ranch dressing, all wrapped up in a convenient and portable package. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a satisfying snack, these wraps are incredibly versatile and can be customized to your liking. This recipe provides detailed instructions and helpful tips to create the perfect buffalo chicken ranch wrap every time.
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps
* **Quick and Easy:** These wraps come together in minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken.
* **Flavorful:** The combination of buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and other toppings creates a delicious and satisfying flavor profile.
* **Customizable:** Easily adjust the spice level, add your favorite vegetables, and swap out ingredients to create a wrap that suits your taste.
* **Portable:** Wraps are perfect for taking on the go – pack them for lunch, picnics, or road trips.
* **Family-Friendly:** Even picky eaters will enjoy these wraps. You can adjust the spice level to make them kid-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make these delectable wraps:
* **Chicken:** Cooked chicken is the star of the show. You can use shredded chicken, diced chicken breast, or even leftover rotisserie chicken. About 2 cups is a good starting point.
* **Buffalo Sauce:** Choose your favorite brand of buffalo sauce. The amount you use will depend on your spice preference. Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice.
* **Ranch Dressing:** Use your preferred brand of ranch dressing. Homemade or store-bought works equally well. Consider using a thicker ranch dressing for better consistency.
* **Tortillas:** Large, burrito-size tortillas are ideal. Flour tortillas are the most common choice, but you can also use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas.
* **Lettuce:** Shredded lettuce adds a refreshing crunch. Iceberg, romaine, or butter lettuce are all good options.
* **Tomato:** Diced tomatoes add a juicy sweetness. Roma tomatoes are a great choice.
* **Cheese:** Shredded cheese adds a cheesy richness. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of both are popular choices. Blue cheese crumbles are also a fantastic addition for a bolder flavor.
* **Optional Toppings:** These are where you can get creative! Consider adding diced celery, avocado slices, red onion, jalapenos, or bell peppers.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Large Bowl:** For mixing the chicken and buffalo sauce.
* **Cutting Board:** For chopping vegetables.
* **Knife:** For chopping vegetables.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For measuring ingredients.
* **Skillet (Optional):** If you want to warm the tortillas.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed instructions to create the perfect buffalo chicken ranch wraps:
**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**
* If you’re using pre-cooked chicken, shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
* If you’re cooking the chicken, you can bake, grill, or pan-fry it. Season with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
* Allow the chicken to cool slightly before proceeding.
**Step 2: Combine Chicken and Buffalo Sauce**
* In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken and buffalo sauce. Start with a small amount of buffalo sauce and add more to taste, depending on your spice preference. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
**Step 3: Warm the Tortillas (Optional)**
* Warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and easier to roll. You can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds per side, in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 15-20 seconds, or in the oven wrapped in foil at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes.
**Step 4: Assemble the Wraps**
* Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface.
* Spread a thin layer of ranch dressing over the tortilla, leaving about an inch of space around the edges.
* Add a layer of shredded lettuce.
* Top with the buffalo chicken mixture.
* Add diced tomatoes and shredded cheese.
* Add any other desired toppings, such as diced celery, avocado slices, or jalapenos.
**Step 5: Wrap it Up**
* Fold in the sides of the tortilla.
* Tightly roll the tortilla from the bottom up, keeping the filling tucked in.
* If desired, you can cut the wrap in half before serving.
**Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!**
* Serve the buffalo chicken ranch wraps immediately. They are also delicious cold or at room temperature, making them perfect for lunchboxes or picnics.
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** The better the ingredients, the better the flavor of the wraps.
* **Don’t Overfill the Wraps:** Overfilling will make them difficult to roll and messy to eat.
* **Warm the Tortillas:** Warming the tortillas makes them more pliable and less likely to tear.
* **Adjust the Spice Level:** Add more or less buffalo sauce depending on your spice preference. You can also use a mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce.
* **Get Creative with Toppings:** Experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble the wraps just before serving.
* **Prevent Soggy Wraps:** If you’re making the wraps ahead of time, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent them from becoming soggy. Avoid adding too much ranch dressing, as this can also contribute to sogginess. You can also add a layer of lettuce between the chicken and the tortilla to act as a barrier.
Variations and Substitutions
* **Spicy Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps:** Use a spicier buffalo sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
* **Cool and Refreshing Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps:** Add extra lettuce, diced cucumber, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
* **Healthy Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps:** Use whole wheat tortillas, light ranch dressing, and add plenty of vegetables.
* **Vegetarian Buffalo Ranch Wraps:** Substitute the chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh tossed in buffalo sauce.
* **Vegan Buffalo Ranch Wraps:** Use plant-based chicken substitutes and vegan ranch dressing.
* **Buffalo Shrimp Ranch Wraps:** Swap out the chicken for cooked shrimp tossed in buffalo sauce.
* **Buffalo Turkey Ranch Wraps:** Substitute the chicken with cooked turkey breast.
* **Low-Carb Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps:** Use low-carb tortillas or serve the filling as a salad without the tortilla.
* **Grilled Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps:** After assembling the wraps, grill them for a few minutes per side to create a warm, crispy exterior.
* **Buffalo Chicken Caesar Wraps:** Replace the ranch dressing with Caesar dressing and add parmesan cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Buffalo chicken ranch wraps are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to complete the meal:
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing complement to the spicy wraps.
* **Coleslaw:** Creamy coleslaw adds a cool and crunchy element.
* **Potato Salad:** A classic potato salad is a hearty and satisfying side.
* **Sweet Potato Fries:** Baked or air-fried sweet potato fries add a touch of sweetness.
* **Vegetable Sticks with Dip:** Serve with carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumber slices with ranch dressing or hummus.
* **Chips and Salsa:** A classic and easy side dish.
* **Fruit Salad:** A refreshing fruit salad is a light and healthy option.
Make-Ahead Instructions
These wraps are great for making ahead of time. You can prepare the chicken mixture up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble the wraps, simply warm the tortillas and add the toppings. If you’re making the wraps ahead of time to pack for lunch, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent them from becoming soggy. To prevent soggy wraps, consider packing the ranch dressing separately and adding it just before eating.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover buffalo chicken ranch wraps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The tortillas may become slightly soggy over time, but the wraps will still be delicious.
Recipe Card
**Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps**
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 10 minutes (if cooking chicken)
**Total Time:** 25 minutes
**Servings:** 4 wraps
**Ingredients:**
* 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
* 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (or more to taste)
* 1/2 cup ranch dressing
* 4 large tortillas
* 2 cups shredded lettuce
* 1 tomato, diced
* 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese)
* Optional toppings: diced celery, avocado slices, red onion, jalapenos, bell peppers
**Instructions:**
1. Prepare the Chicken: If using pre-cooked chicken, shred or dice it. If cooking the chicken, bake, grill, or pan-fry it. Allow to cool slightly.
2. Combine Chicken and Buffalo Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken and buffalo sauce. Mix well.
3. Warm the Tortillas (Optional): Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven.
4. Assemble the Wraps: Lay a tortilla flat. Spread a thin layer of ranch dressing. Add lettuce, buffalo chicken mixture, tomato, cheese, and any other desired toppings.
5. Wrap it Up: Fold in the sides of the tortilla. Tightly roll from the bottom up.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.
**Notes:**
* Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your spice preference.
* Get creative with toppings!
* To prevent soggy wraps, pack the ranch dressing separately or add a layer of lettuce between the chicken and tortilla.
Enjoy your delicious and easy Buffalo Chicken Ranch Wraps!