Shredded chicken wraps get a Southwest twist as healthy taco lettuce wraps. No tortillas here. It’s the best salad wrap you’ll ever make.
If you’re eating low carb, want a fresh and easy dinner, or just trying to eat more vegetables, this delicious lettuce wrap is for you.
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Black Bean and Shredded Chicken Wraps:
I was on a health kick a few months ago and cut the carbs. Really it was a microbiome cleanse that I do a few times a year! What a great jumpstart to my health, and it gets me eating more veggies.
I love Mexican inspired, or Southwest! My favorite frittata is loaded with black beans and seasonings. Anything tacos makes my heart sing.
I started my day by prepping my lunch ahead and created this delightful black been salad, loaded with veggies and flavor.
From another meal using shredded chicken, I had the extra protein handy. Add lettuce leaves and I had some lettuce tacos pronto!
The black bean salad itself is so delicious, you can eat it alone if you want. If you’re not on a health kick, or your family loves a tortilla, serve it as a veggie taco filling.
Or add the chicken and serve it in a tortilla for a traditional taco. Add plenty of shredded lettuce on top for crunch.
More healthy lettuce wraps recipes:
- Meatball lettuce wraps with Thai veggies
- Grilled Chicken lettuce wraps with creamy fruit dressing
- Chicken and Rice lettuce wraps with crunchy nuts
What to serve with lettuce wraps?
For these chicken taco lettuce wraps I serve a little shredded cheese and a squeeze of lime. You can use any cheese you’d like, including Cotija or a vegan cheese if you desire.
For a mixed crowd, meaning not everyone might be on a health path, serve these lettuce wraps with tortilla chips, guacamole or Spanish rice.
For lunch, these lettuce wraps are so filling and do the trick. Add these other additions and you have a complete family meal for dinner.
One of my favorite things about these chicken taco wraps is the Cumin Vinaigrette that glistens all over the black bean salad.
It’s so tasty I could drink it! Make extra and store it in my favorite salad dressing keeper in the fridge. Drizzle it on all your salads!
- 1 can (14 oz) Black beans drained
- 1 medium carrot grated
- 1 small jalapeno finely diced
- ½ medium red bell pepper diced
- ½ tomato diced
- 2 tablespoons diced red onion, or scallions
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt plus more for seasoning
- Cumin Lime Vinaigrette SEE BELOW
- 6 large lettuce leaves
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
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In a bowl toss together the beans, carrot, jalapeno, bell pepper, tomato and onion. Stir in ¼ cup of the cilantro and ½ teaspoon salt.
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Make the dressing. Toss salad with several tablespoons and season to taste with salt.
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Spoon some salad into lettuce leaves and top with chicken and a little cheese. Drizzle with more dressing and garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutritional analysis not including vinaigrette
CUMIN LIME VINAIGRETTE
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
⅔ cup canola oil
- Whisk together all the ingredients except for the oil. Then drizzle in the oil while you whisk to incorporate.
- Store in a dressing jar or glass jar with lid. Shake to combine if it separates.
Recipe by Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes and food styling for magazines, books, television and advertising. Find out more about me!
cindy says
January 3, 2020 at 6:53 pmThis looks perfect for me. I am trying to eat more greens and ditch sugar in the new year. This looks like the perfect start to eating more greens. Love wrap!
Jacque Hastert says
January 6, 2020 at 4:50 pmThese are getting added to my lunch menu for next week. Perfect to enjoy at work or easy to make ahead of time.
Chef Dennis says
January 6, 2020 at 11:18 pmYum! I am so loving this Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe so much. It looks really refreshing to eat and very healthy. Thanks for sharing!
Tami Price says
January 7, 2020 at 9:38 pmMade this for a meal prep for the week and I absolutely love it! So much flavor and super easy to make! Thanks so much for sharing!
Pam Greer says
January 10, 2020 at 12:29 pmMy husband just retired and I have been searching for easy and healthy lunches. These are perfect!
Veronika says
January 10, 2020 at 12:42 pmSold! Love all the ingredients you incorporated in this recipe! Plus, it’s so easy to make! Saving the recipe and will make it this weekend!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
January 10, 2020 at 3:10 pmI am always on a lookout for a variety of lettuce recipes especially in wrap or taco form. Definitely trying this soon.
Sharon says
January 10, 2020 at 7:32 pmChicken taco lettuce wraps make a great alternative to flour tortillas. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Jennifer Banz says
January 12, 2020 at 8:35 pmI prepped this for my lunches for the week and had to have a taste…delicious! I can’t wait for lunch tomorrow!
Debbie says
January 12, 2020 at 8:44 pmI love your healthy twist on tacos, lettuce is pure genius!! This is on my menu for taco tuesday. My family loves chicken and I know this will be a big hit . The CUMIN LIME VINAIGRETTE sounds simply divine an the perfect compliment . Wonderful recipe, I can’t wait to try these.
Charity Beth Long says
January 12, 2020 at 10:59 pmThe lettuce wrap trick is priceless! I prefer it to store bought taco shells anyway. Lettuce let’s the filling flavor really come through. Thanks for the recipe!
kita says
January 13, 2020 at 12:09 amThese lettuce wraps would really hit the spot. I am such a fan of chicken tacos – and love beans! Adding it to the weekly menu plan.