Pesto Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These Pesto Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a quick, healthy, and flavor-packed lunch option featuring juicy chicken tossed in vibrant pesto and served in crisp lettuce cups. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re naturally gluten-free, customizable, and perfect for meal prep or busy families.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 wraps (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (about 10 oz)
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce
- 8–10 large romaine lettuce leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse 8-10 large romaine lettuce leaves thoroughly under cold water.
- Pat dry with a kitchen towel or spin in a salad spinner until completely dry.
- If using, toast pine nuts in a small skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until golden and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Add cooked, shredded chicken breast to a large bowl.
- Spoon in pesto sauce and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Add more pesto or a splash of olive oil if needed.
- Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion (soak in cold water to mellow, if desired), and halve mozzarella balls.
- Lay out lettuce leaves on a platter or board.
- Spoon a generous heap of pesto chicken onto each leaf.
- Top with tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts.
- Season with salt and black pepper. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
For best results, use firm, dry lettuce leaves and blend pesto until smooth for even coating. Store components separately for meal prep and assemble just before eating. Swap chicken for chickpeas or tofu for a vegetarian version, and use vegan pesto and skip cheese for dairy-free. Toast pine nuts carefully as they burn quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 13
Keywords: pesto chicken lettuce wraps, healthy lunch, gluten-free, meal prep, low carb, easy chicken recipe, lettuce wraps, quick lunch, basil pesto, high protein