Craving a quick, delicious meal that captures the essence of Thanksgiving in just 15 minutes? Look no further! These Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps are about to revolutionize your lunch game, combining the comforting flavors of holiday poultry with a fresh, light twist that will make your taste buds dance. Imagine the perfect blend of tender chicken, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, all nestled in a crisp lettuce leaf – it's like a Thanksgiving feast you can enjoy any day of the year!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 large lettuce leaves
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, ensuring the chicken is cooled to room temperature if freshly prepared.
- Finely chop the celery into small, uniform pieces to provide a crisp texture to the salad.
- Add the chopped dried cranberries to the chicken, which will introduce a sweet and tangy flavor profile reminiscent of traditional Thanksgiving flavors.
- Roughly chop the walnuts and fold them into the mixture, providing a rich, nutty crunch to the salad.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken mixture and gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring even coating.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly to distribute the seasoning.
- Carefully wash and dry large lettuce leaves, selecting intact leaves that can serve as sturdy wraps.
- Spoon the chicken salad mixture evenly onto each lettuce leaf, leaving a small border to prevent overflow.
- Fold or roll the lettuce leaves to create neat, compact wraps ready for serving.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the lettuce and the freshness of the chicken salad.
Tips
- Use leftover roasted chicken for an even more authentic Thanksgiving flavor profile.
- For extra crunch, toast the walnuts lightly before chopping and adding to the salad.
- Choose large, sturdy lettuce leaves like romaine or butter lettuce for the best wrap experience.
- Chill the chicken salad for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise.
- Make sure to drain any excess moisture from the chicken to prevent soggy wraps.
- Prepare the chicken salad in advance and store separately from the lettuce leaves for a quick, easy meal prep option.
- Experiment with additional herbs like fresh thyme or sage to enhance the Thanksgiving-inspired flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 55mg
