Pesto Chicken Caesar Wrap

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When you need something fresh, satisfying, and super easy for a busy day, these wraps check all the boxes.

• Simple ingredients - Grilled frozen chicken or rotisserie chicken and bottled Caesar dressing make this recipe extra convenient, while fresh herbs and vegetables add plenty of flavor.
• Easy to make - Start with cooked chicken and there's no cooking required. Just prep, mix, and assemble.
• Perfect for meal prep - Prepare the chicken, pesto, and salad ingredients ahead of time, then assemble the wraps when you're ready to eat.
• Great use for leftover chicken - Grilled, roasted, air-fried, or rotisserie chicken all work beautifully.
• Fresh and flavorful - Crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, lemon, and creamy Caesar dressing give you plenty of contrasting flavors and textures.
• Perfect for lunch or dinner - These wraps are easy enough for lunch and filling enough for a quick weeknight meal.

What Makes These Wraps So Good?

These wraps start with everything you love about a chicken Caesar salad wrap, including crisp romaine, Parmesan, creamy Caesar dressing, and savory chicken, then add a fresh twist with homemade parsley-dill pesto.

The pesto is bright and herby with plenty of garlic, Parmesan, and nutty flavor, while a squeeze of fresh lemon wakes up the chicken and balances the richness of the dressing and cheese. Cherry tomatoes add a juicy pop of freshness and bacon brings a smoky, savory finish.

Put everything together in a soft tortilla and you get a Caesar salad chicken and pesto wrap that's creamy, crunchy, fresh, cheesy, and satisfying all at once.

Ingredients and Their Role in the Wrap

This pesto chicken wrap combines convenient cooked chicken with a fresh Caesar salad and homemade herb pesto. Here's what you'll need and how each ingredient adds to the finished wrap.

For the Chicken

• Cooked Chicken - Grilled frozen chicken is a 6-minute quick cook in the air fryer or opt for rotisserie chicken, which makes this meal incredibly convenient. Of course, fresh grilled, roasted, air-fried, or leftover cooked chicken will work just as well.
• Fresh Lemon - Brightens the chicken and helps balance the rich Caesar dressing, Parmesan, bacon, and pesto.

For the Caesar Salad

• Romaine Lettuce - Adds freshness and plenty of crisp crunch.
• Cherry Tomatoes - Bring juicy sweetness, color, and a fresh contrast to the creamy dressing.
• Shaved Parmesan Cheese - Adds salty, nutty flavor and delicious bites of cheese throughout the salad.
• Bacon Bits - Add smoky, savory flavor and a little extra texture.
• Caesar Dressing - Coats the salad with creamy, tangy Caesar flavor. Use your favorite bottled dressing for convenience or make the homemade version included with the recipe.

For the Pesto

• Fresh Parsley - Creates the fresh, herbaceous base of the pesto.
• Fresh Dill - Gives this pesto its distinctive bright and slightly tangy herb flavor.
• Garlic - Adds a savory bite that complements the herbs and Parmesan.
• Pine Nuts or Walnuts - Add richness and nutty flavor while helping give the pesto body.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese - Adds savory, salty, cheesy flavor.
• Olive Oil - Brings the pesto together and creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Salt - Enhances all the fresh herb and savory flavors.

For the Wraps

• Large Flour Tortillas - Soft, flexible tortillas are easy to fold and large enough to hold all the chicken and Caesar salad filling.

Fresh Parsley and Dill Pesto

This isn't your traditional basil pesto. Instead, fresh parsley and dill are blended with garlic, nuts, Parmesan, olive oil, and salt for a bright, herby spread that gives these wraps their distinctive flavor.

Keep the pesto fairly thick so it's easy to spread over the tortillas without making the wraps wet or messy. If it's too thick to process smoothly, add just enough additional olive oil to reach a spreadable consistency.

Why Add Lemon to Chicken?

A squeeze of fresh lemon may seem like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference in the finished wrap.

Caesar dressing, Parmesan, pesto, and bacon all bring plenty of rich, savory flavor. The acidity of the lemon helps balance that richness while making the chicken taste fresher and brighter. Citrus also pairs beautifully with the garlic, Parmesan, herbs, and black pepper found throughout the wrap.

How to Make a Pesto Chicken Caesar Wrap

Making a pesto chicken Caesar wrap is quick and easy. Here's what to do:

For chicken:

1. If using frozen grilled chicken strips, cook according to package directions. Let cool. You can also use rotisserie or leftover chicken and either chop it or shred it.
2. Squeeze lemon juice over chicken for a zesty, bright flavor.

For salad:

3. Place torn or chopped lettuce, quartered cherry tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, and crumbled bacon in a medium bowl.
4. Toss with Caesar dressing and set aside.

To make pesto:

5. In a food processor or blender, place parsley, dill, a clove of garlic, walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and salt.
6. Blend until smooth.

To assemble:

1. Lay each of the tortillas flat. Spread with pesto.
2. Divide the Caesar salad evenly between the tortillas, laying it down the center.
3. Place 2-3 chicken strips on top. Make sure they are cooled as you don't want the lettuce to soften and wilt.
4. Wrap up the tortilla by folding up the bottom and brining the two sides together. Secure with a toothpick.

Chef's Tip: If your tortillas are hard, warm them up by stacking them in a damp paper towel and rolling them up. Place in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds.

Recipe Tips for Success

A good wrap needs plenty of filling without becoming soggy, messy, or impossible to roll. These simple tips will help you get the balance just right.

• Use cold or room-temperature chicken - Hot chicken can quickly wilt the romaine and warm the dressing.
• Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces or thin long strips - These sizes make the wrap easier to roll and eat.
• Dry the romaine well - Excess water on the lettuce can dilute the dressing and make the tortilla soggy.
• Quarter the tomatoes - Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the wrap and are less likely to tumble out.
• Don't overdress the salad - Add just enough Caesar dressing to lightly coat the ingredients. Too much dressing can make the wraps soggy.
• Keep the pesto thick - You want a spreadable pesto rather than a thin sauce that can soak into the tortilla.
• Use large flour tortillas - They provide plenty of room for the filling and make folding and rolling easier.
• Warm stiff tortillas briefly - If your tortillas aren't very flexible, warm them for a few seconds to make them easier to roll without tearing.
• Don't overfill the wraps - It may be tempting to pile everything on, but leaving a little room makes them much easier to close.
• Fold the sides in first - Tuck in the sides before rolling tightly from the bottom to help keep the filling inside.
• Serve soon after assembling - Once the romaine is tossed with Caesar dressing, it will gradually lose its crispness.

Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own

One of the great things about wraps is how easily you can customize the filling. Use what you have on hand or give the original a completely different spin.

• Turkey - Swap the chicken for cooked turkey. It's a great way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
• Shrimp - Use cooked shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.
• Extra Bacon - Replace the bacon bits with plenty of chopped cooked bacon for even more smoky flavor.
• Blackened Chicken - Sprinkle blackening seasoning over the chicken or use leftover blackened chicken.
• Spicy - Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to the Caesar dressing.
• Veggie - Leave out the chicken and replace it with seasoned tofu, chickpeas, or white beans.
• Avocado - Add sliced or diced avocado for extra creamy richness.
• Extra Crunch - Add lightly crushed croutons for the crunch of a classic Caesar salad.
• Basil Pesto - Replace the parsley-dill pesto with traditional basil pesto.
• Spinach Tortillas - Swap the flour tortillas for large spinach wraps.

What to Serve with Chicken Caesar Wraps

The best chicken Caesar wrap sides keep the meal simple while adding something crisp, fruity, or savory alongside the creamy wraps. Choose a lighter side for lunch or add something heartier when serving them for dinner.

• French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries - A hot and crispy side makes a great contrast to the cool, fresh wrap.
• Potato Chips - Keep lunch effortless with your favorite crunchy chips.
• Fresh Fruit or Fruit Salad - Berries, melon, grapes, or a simple fruit salad add a refreshing touch.
• Pasta Salad - A chilled pasta salad turns a wrap into a more substantial lunch or dinner.
• Soup - Pair the wrap with tomato soup, vegetable soup, or another favorite soup for an easy soup-and-sandwich-style meal.
• Roasted Vegetables - Add your favorite roasted vegetables for a warm and savory side.
• Cucumber and Tomato Salad - Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes complement the crisp, cool flavors in the wrap.

Homemade Caesar Dressing

Bottled Caesar dressing makes this recipe extra quick, but you can also make the dressing from scratch. The homemade version combines mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for plenty of creamy, savory flavor.

Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together first. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, then stir in the Parmesan. Make it ahead and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to toss the salad.

See the recipe card note section below for the dressing's ingredient amounts.

How to Store Leftovers

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy assembled wraps soon after making them. The Caesar dressing and juicy tomatoes will eventually soften the lettuce and tortilla.

Assembled wraps: Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or foil or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. For the best quality, enjoy them within a day.

Chicken: Keep leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3 to 4 days.

Pesto and other ingredients: Store the pesto, dressing, lettuce, tomatoes, and other components separately in covered containers in the refrigerator. When meal prepping, use the cooked chicken within its safe storage window.

Freezing: Freezing assembled wraps isn't recommended. Romaine, tomatoes, and creamy Caesar dressing won't retain their best texture after freezing and thawing.

More Delicious Sandwich Recipes

Sandwiches and wraps make lunch or dinner easy, whether you're craving something hot and cheesy or cool and fresh. Here are a few more favorites to add to your meal plan.

• Air Fryer Grilled Cheese - Crispy golden bread and gooey melted cheese made easily in the air fryer.
• Chopped Italian Sandwich - An Italian deli-inspired sandwich packed with meats, cheese, vegetables, and plenty of bold flavor.
• Spicy BLT - A kicked-up version of the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with a spicy twist.
• Tuna Melt - Creamy tuna, spinach, and melty Gruyère tucked between bread with a crispy Parmesan crust.
• Turkey Cranberry Brie Panini - Turkey, cranberry sauce, and creamy Brie pressed into a warm, crispy panini.

Find lots of easy sandwich recipes here on 2CM!