BBQ Chicken Wraps

These BBQ chicken wraps are smoky, cheesy, crunchy, and seriously satisfying. Juicy shredded chicken gets tossed in your favorite barbecue sauce, stuffed into a tortilla with melty cheddar, cilantro, red onion, and creamy slaw, then toasted until the outside is golden and crisp. They’re quick enough for a healthy weeknight dinner, great for lunch prep, and perfect for game day. If you’ve tried my cheesy garlic chicken wraps or crispy chicken wraps, this BBQ version is the next one you’ll want on repeat.

Why You'll Love This BBQ Chicken Wrap Recipe

These elevated healthy BBQ chicken wraps hit every texture and flavor note in one bite. You’ve got warm, saucy chicken and melted cheese, cool crunchy slaw, a little bite from red onion, and fresh cilantro to keep it bright. All that is wrapped in a tortilla and crisped until it hits golden perfection. It tastes like something you’d order at a popular chicken spot, but it comes together fast with simple ingredients.

They’re also super flexible. Make them mild or spicy, swap the cheese, add pickles, use leftover chicken, and they still turn out great. And because the wrap gets toasted at the end, it holds together better and feels extra satisfying, which is exactly what you want for an easy dinner or a make-ahead lunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the BBQ Chicken Filling:

• 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, diced
• ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
• 2 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola)

For the Slaw:

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ¼ head red cabbage, shredded
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• Salt & pepper, to taste

How To Make BBQ Chicken Wraps

Step 1: Make the Chicken Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, cilantro, diced red onion, and BBQ sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Add extra BBQ sauce if you prefer it saucier.

Step 2: Make the Slaw

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and red wine vinegar until smooth. Add the shredded cabbage and carrot, toss to coat, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 3: Assemble the Wraps

Lay a tortilla flat. Add about 1 cup of the BBQ chicken mixture to the lower third of the tortilla. Place ¼ cup of slaw on top of the chicken.
Fold the sides inward, then roll up tightly from the bottom like a burrito. Repeat for the remaining wraps.

Step 4: Pan-Crisp the Wraps

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan (or use cooking spray). Place the wraps seam-side down and cook, turning every minute or two, until golden, crispy, and warmed through on all sides.

Step 5: Serve

Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Pair with extra BBQ sauce, ranch, or chipotle mayo if desired.

Expert Tips To Make The Best BBQ Chicken Wraps

• Use rotisserie chicken for speed and flavor. Rotisserie chicken is juicy, already seasoned, and makes these wraps come together fast. Leftover shredded chicken works too, just warm it first so the cheese melts quickly.
• Keep the slaw from making the wraps soggy. If your slaw is extra wet, give it a quick drain or scoop it with a fork so excess dressing stays behind. Too much moisture is the fastest way to lose that crispy tortilla.
• Warm the chicken before assembling. Warm, saucy chicken melts the cheddar faster and helps the whole wrap heat through without over-toasting the tortilla.
• Wrap tight so nothing escapes. Fold the sides in first, then roll firmly. A tight wrap keeps the filling in place and helps it crisp evenly in the pan.
• Use a sturdy flour tortilla. Thicker burrito-size tortillas hold up best when pan-frying. Thin tortillas can crack or tear once they’re filled and toasted.
• Crisp the tortilla, don’t just “warm” it. Toasting is what makes this recipe. Cook until the outside is golden and crisp, and the inside is warm and melty. If the pan is too hot, the tortilla browns before the cheese melts, so keep the heat at medium.
• Customize the BBQ sauce to your vibe. Sweet, smoky, spicy, honey BBQ, they all work. If your sauce is very thick, a tiny splash of water helps it coat the chicken more evenly.
• Make a cheesy crust for an indulgent wrap. Sprinkle a little cheddar directly into the pan, then place the wrap on top and let it crisp. It creates a salty, crunchy cheese layer that tastes like a restaurant trick.

BBQ Chicken Wraps FAQs

Can I use leftover chicken?

Yes. Grilled, baked, or rotisserie chicken all work great. Just shred or chop it and warm it with BBQ sauce so it heats through quickly and melts the cheese when you crisp the wrap.

Can I make BBQ chicken wraps ahead of time?

Yes, with one key rule: assemble the wraps, but wait to pan-crisp until right before eating. If you’re prepping ahead, keep the slaw separate and add it right before serving so the tortillas stay crisp and don’t soften.

Can I air fry BBQ chicken wraps?

Absolutely. If you don't want to pan-fry the wraps, air fry them at 390°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are golden and crisp on the outside and hot on the inside.

What cheese works best for BBQ chicken wraps?

Cheddar and Colby Jack are the best matches because they melt smoothly and pair perfectly with smoky-sweet BBQ sauce. Mozzarella works if you want extra stretch, but it’s milder.

How do I store leftovers?

Store un-crisped wraps in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days. Crisp them in a skillet or air fryer right before serving so you get the crunchy outside again.

How do I keep the wraps from getting soggy?

Use slaw that isn’t overly wet, don’t assemble too far in advance, and always crisp the wraps right before serving. Moisture management is the difference between a crispy wrap and a soft one.

My Final Thoughts

These healthy BBQ chicken wraps are warm, crispy, creamy, smoky, and everything you want in a quick, delicious meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you get a wrap that's perfect for busy nights or feeding a hungry crowd. If you make these BBQ chicken wraps, leave a comment and a star rating below and tell me what BBQ sauce you used. I love seeing your twists, and it helps other people find the best version, too.

Chicken Recipes To Try Next

• BBQ chicken sliders
• Hot honey chicken sliders
• Chicken cutlet sandwich
• Lemon pepper chicken thighs
• Grilled chicken sandwich