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image of top down mise en place shot of Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps ingredients arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with butter lettuce leaves shredded cooked chicken breast a small bowl of buffalo wing sauce or Frank Red Hot hot sauce blue cheese crumbles chopped celery and carrots ranch dressing fresh dill or chives in healthy clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight realistic photo award winning photography

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps embody the spirit of healthy comfort food. Warm, spicy shredded chicken is wrapped in crisp lettuce cups and topped with cooling ranch or blue cheese for a high-protein, low-carb weeknight win.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Spicy Shredded Chicken Filling
  • 3 cups shredded chicken breast cooked, either roasted, boiled, or slow-cooked is fine!
  • 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce I prefer Frank's Red Hot, but use your favorite hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee for Whole30 buffalo chicken lettuce wraps
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pinch smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Wraps & Toppings
  • 1 large head butter lettuce Bibb or Romaine also works well for sturdy lettuce cups
  • 1/4 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing use Greek yogurt dressing for a lighter option
  • 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles completely optional, but highly recommended!
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped celery adds essential crunch
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots or finely sliced red onion for color and mild flavor
  • Sliced avocado or a dollop of Greek yogurt to cool things down

Equipment

  • skillet,
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. If you are starting with raw chicken, cook, shred, and set aside. (Tip: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment is the fastest way to shred chicken once it's cooked!). If using a store-bought rotisserie chicken, simply shred the breast meat.
  2. In a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter (or ghee if making paleo buffalo chicken lettuce wraps). Once melted, stir in the buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly glossy.
  3. Add the 3 cups of shredded chicken directly into the sauce. Stir well to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated in the buffalo sauce. Heat the mixture through for about 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the spicy, buttery flavor. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  4. While the chicken is warming, carefully separate the leaves of your lettuce wraps (I love Butter Lettuce because it holds its shape like a little bowl). Rinse and pat them completely dry. Excess water will dilute the flavor and make the wraps saggy, which is a tragedy.
  5. Spoon a generous amount of the warm, saucy buffalo chicken mixture into the center of each lettuce cup.
  6. Top each wrap with a drizzle of ranch dressing or a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles. Add a few matchsticks of celery and carrot. Serve immediately while the contrast between the warm filling and the cool lettuce is at its peak!

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 28gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 220IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.8mg

Notes

For extra flexibility and flavor, try adding thinly sliced bell peppers or some chopped cabbage to the chicken mixture. You can also serve this filling as a crockpot meal prep by cooking raw chicken breast on low with some buffalo sauce and broth for 4 hours, then blending in additional sauce and butter.
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