In this recipe, we take everyone's favorite elements of tacos—grilled chicken, sliced avocado, crumbled cheese, diced onion, even a sprinkle of cilantro—and transfer them to a crispy leaf of romaine lettuce. The result is a taco with a built-in tortilla, perfect for low-carb lifestyles or for anyone who just wants to wrap their hands around something other than a tortilla.
I've been re-creating a grilled chicken salad wrap from a local shop near my office, where I sometimes grab lunch. They serve it in a giant romaine lettuce leaf, the chicken's always flavorful and moist, and the veggies are fresh and crisp. I've gotten pretty darn close to their version, and now I love making them at home.
Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 large romaine lettuce leaves
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
While the chicken is cooking, wash and dry the lettuce leaves.
Slice the avocado and crumble the feta cheese.
Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
To assemble the lettuce wraps, place a lettuce leaf on a plate.
Top the lettuce leaf with chicken, avocado, feta cheese, red onion, and cilantro.
Fold up the sides of the lettuce leaf and enjoy!
Why It Works
The chicken is marinated in a simple mixture of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, which gives it great flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
The romaine lettuce leaves are sturdy enough to hold up to the fillings, but still have a nice crunch.
The avocado adds a creamy richness that complements the grilled chicken and vegetables.
The crumbled feta cheese adds a salty, tangy flavor that brightens up the other ingredients.
The diced red onion adds a bit of sweetness and crunch.
The chopped cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor that brings the whole dish together.