Save These Thai Peanut Chicken Salad Wraps are my go-to meal when I crave something quick, fresh, and incredibly satisfying. Packed with tender chicken and crisp veggies, all wrapped up with a punchy homemade peanut sauce, they deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.
I first whipped these up for a picnic, and everyone ended up asking for seconds before we even unpacked the rest of our spread. Since then, we roll them out week after week for lunches and laid-back dinners.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast shredded: choose a juicy rotisserie or poach your own for best texture
- Shredded carrots: add sweet crunch and hold up well in the mix
- Red bell pepper: thinly sliced for bright color and subtle tang choose firm and glossy peppers
- Cucumber: cut into matchsticks for refreshing crispness Persian cucumbers are my favorite for their tenderness
- Napa cabbage or romaine lettuce shredded: for a fresh satisfying bite pick leaves that are crisp and pale green
- Scallions: sliced thin for delicate sharpness and mild onion flavor look for bright green tops
- Creamy peanut butter: for the essential sauce base natural style works best for depth
- Soy sauce: adds umami pop use low sodium for a lighter touch
- Fresh lime juice: for zing always use freshly squeezed for the brightest taste
- Honey or maple syrup: to balance the flavors pure honey or real maple is key
- Rice vinegar: brings tang choose unseasoned for clean flavor
- Sesame oil: a little goes a long way for rich aroma use toasted if you can
- Fresh ginger: grated for warm spice pick a plump piece for max juiciness
- Garlic: minced finely for aromatic kick
- Large flour tortillas or preferred wraps: choose soft and flexible tortillas for easy rolling
- Cilantro leaves: for extra freshness and green lift optional but so good if you love herbs
- Chopped roasted peanuts: for crunch and finishing touch optional but highly recommended
Instructions
- Make the Peanut Sauce:
- In a medium bowl whisk together peanut butter soy sauce lime juice honey rice vinegar sesame oil ginger and garlic with two tablespoons of warm water. Keep mixing until the sauce is smooth and pourable. Add an extra splash of water if it looks too thick. The sauce should taste balanced and nutty, with a touch of sweetness and just the right acidity.
- Toss the Chicken Salad:
- In a big bowl combine shredded chicken carrots bell pepper cucumber cabbage and scallions. Pour about two thirds of the peanut sauce over the top and gently toss everything together using a spoon or spatula. The goal is to coat all the ingredients evenly but keep the veggies crisp and colorful.
- Prep the Tortillas:
- Warm each tortilla for several seconds in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable but not hot. This keeps the wraps soft and easy to roll without tearing.
- Assemble the Wraps:
- Lay out a tortilla and spoon a generous amount of chicken salad mixture down the center. Drizzle extra peanut sauce over the filling for added richness. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and chopped roasted peanuts for an extra burst of flavor and crunch if you like.
- Roll and Serve:
- Fold the sides of the tortilla inward over the filling then roll it up tightly from the bottom to form a neat wrap. Slice in half with a sharp knife. Serve right away while everything is crisp and cool.
Save Wrap any leftovers tightly in foil or parchment then store in the fridge for up to one day. If prepping ahead for lunch boxes keep the filling and sauce separate and assemble wraps right before eating to keep them from getting soggy. Not freezer friendly when assembled but the chicken salad can be chilled separately and wrapped fresh later.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap chicken for sliced rotisserie turkey or toss in some chickpeas for a meatless version. Try using colorful purple cabbage in place of napa for extra crunch and visual appeal. If you are out of peanut butter sunflower seed butter or almond butter works well and keeps things interesting.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of crunchy Asian slaw or a quick fruit salad on hot days. Pair with chilled noodles tossed in sesame oil for bigger appetites. A light sparkling ginger drink or Thai iced tea is my absolute favorite with these wraps.
Cultural and Seasonal Perspective
Thai flavors highlight sweet tangy spicy balance and the peanut sauce here is a playful take on that tradition. These wraps work for any season but I especially crave them in spring and summer when veggies are at their brightest. The mix of fresh crisp vegetables with tender chicken is meant to be shared think casual picnics or lunch with friends.
Seasonal Adaptations
Switch up the veggies based on what looks best at the farmers market. Try diced mango in summer for a fruity sweet twist. In colder weather swap carrots for shredded winter radish or even roasted sweet potato cubes.
You can keep the wraps vibrant by prepping the veggies just before assembling. Rolling them tightly keeps everything inside for easy on the go eating. The sauce gets better after a few minutes of rest so make it early if you can.
Success Stories
I have sent these wraps in countless lunch boxes over the years and they never come home untouched. Friends with picky kids say this is their new not boring lunch because of the creamy sauce. My little helper loves shaking up the sauce while I chop veggies so it is a great family activity too.
Freezer Meal Conversion
The whole wrap does not freeze well but the chicken and veggie filling can be prepped ahead and frozen portions will stay fresh for up to two months thaw overnight before use and finish with freshly made peanut sauce and wraps.
Save You can keep the wraps vibrant by prepping the veggies just before assembling. Rolling them tightly keeps everything inside for easy on the go eating.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of chicken works best?
Shredded rotisserie or poached chicken breast offers ideal tenderness and absorbs the flavors nicely.
- → Can the wraps be made vegetarian?
Yes, substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas for a satisfying meat-free option.
- → What makes the peanut sauce creamy?
The combination of peanut butter, sesame oil, and a splash of warm water creates a smooth, pourable sauce.
- → Is there a gluten-free alternative?
Use gluten-free tortillas or large lettuce leaves and ensure gluten-free soy sauce for a safe option.
- → How can the dish be made dairy-free?
No dairy is included in the main ingredients, so the wraps are naturally dairy-free if using dairy-free tortillas.
- → What vegetables add extra crunch?
Carrots, red bell pepper, cucumber, and cabbage bring ideal crispiness and fresh taste to every bite.