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Southwest chicken wrap cut in half showing marinated chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and chipotle crema filling

Southwest Chicken Wrap

Bold and flavorful Southwest Chicken Wraps with marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and smoky chipotle crema. Ready in 45 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 wraps
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

  • 0.75 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 0.25 cup lime juice freshly squeezed from about 1 lime
  • 0.5 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for marinade
  • 1 tsp olive oil for sautéing vegetables
  • 1 tbsp chipotle pepper in adobo finely chopped
  • 4 large flour tortillas burrito-size
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 small red bell pepper diced
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
  • 0.5 red onion thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 0.75 cup corn kernels fresh or thawed frozen
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 0.25 cup cotija cheese crumbled, or queso fresco
For the Chipotle Crema:
  • 0.33 cup sour cream full-fat
  • 1.5 tbsp honey
  • 0.5-1 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 3 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp water to thin
  • 0.25 tsp salt

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Blender or food processor
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels, then cut into uniform 1-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine chicken with lime juice, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and chopped chipotle pepper. Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
  2. Start rice according to package directions right when you begin marinating the chicken. For the chipotle crema, add sour cream, honey, chipotle peppers, lime juice, cilantro, water, and salt to a blender or food processor. Blend for 30 seconds until completely smooth and pourable. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add marinated chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a golden sear, then stir and continue cooking for 8-10 more minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and shows no pink in the center with nicely browned edges. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  4. Wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel, then add 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add diced bell pepper, jalapeño, and sliced red onion. Sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and develop slight char marks. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking to prevent burning.
  5. Reduce heat to low and return cooked chicken to the skillet with vegetables, tossing gently to warm everything through for about 1 minute. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 15-20 seconds per side or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds until pliable.
  6. Assemble each wrap by laying a tortilla flat and adding ingredients in layers down the center: start with 1/4 cup rice, then top with chicken-vegetable mixture, black beans, corn, crumbled cotija cheese, and a generous drizzle of chipotle crema. Fold in the sides first, then roll tightly from the bottom up like a burrito, tucking as you go to keep everything secure.

Notes

Chicken can be marinated for 15 minutes minimum or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Store components separately for meal prep up to 3 days. Wraps can be customized with additional toppings like avocado, sour cream, or hot sauce. Total time includes minimum 15-minute marination.