Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps are the answer when you want something bold, fresh, and satisfying without a lot of effort. These wraps combine spicy shredded chicken with crisp lettuce, cool ranch, and tangy blue cheese for a meal that’s packed with flavor and texture. They’re perfect for lunch, game day, or a quick weeknight dinner.
This recipe is simple to prep and fast to finish. With a handful of ingredients and just one pan, you can have a restaurant-style dish that feels indulgent but is light and low in carbs. Plus, they’re totally customizable depending on your heat preference and topping choices.
The Bold Flavor Combo You Didn’t Know You Needed
The moment buffalo chicken wraps became a regular thing
The first time I made buffalo chicken lettuce wraps, it was on a hot afternoon when turning on the oven wasn’t an option. I had leftover chicken, a half-used bottle of wing sauce, and a head of romaine in the fridge. It wasn’t a plan, but once I took that first bite, it became one.
The spicy, buttery sauce clings to the shredded chicken just enough to pack heat without drowning the flavor. The crisp lettuce acts as the perfect base—cool, refreshing, and sturdy enough to hold all the good stuff. A sprinkle of blue cheese and a drizzle of ranch took it over the top.
Since then, these wraps have made their way into regular rotation. They’re everything I love about buffalo wings, without the mess or heaviness. No fryer. No flour. Just clean, spicy flavor in a bite that crunches.
Why buffalo chicken lettuce wraps work so well
They’re fast, filling, and flavorful. Shredded chicken takes on the heat from the sauce while staying juicy. The butter and olive oil give the sauce richness. Celery adds a fresh crunch that balances the heat. And when wrapped in cool lettuce, everything feels lighter without losing that satisfying bite.
Whether you serve them as a starter or make a full plate for dinner, they’re a crowd-pleaser with minimal cleanup.
Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
Method
- In a large pan, cook and shred your chicken. To cook mine, I just put the chicken in the pan over medium/high heat with 1/2 cup of water, shredding it with 2 forks as it cooks. By the time it’s finished cooking, all of the water cooks off.
- Keep the pan on medium/low heat. Add butter and olive oil, stirring until melted and combined. Add hot sauce, celery seed and then pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in thinly sliced celery.
- To assemble lettuce wraps, scoop a spoonful of chicken mixture into lettuce leaves. sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and drizzle with a little ranch dressing. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm.
Notes
Ingredients and How to Make Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
What you need for the perfect buffalo lettuce wraps
These buffalo chicken lettuce wraps use easy-to-find ingredients and only one pan. You likely have most of them in your kitchen already. Here’s the full list:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- ½ cup thinly sliced celery
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Ranch dressing
- 2 heads of lettuce, rinsed and dried (romaine or iceberg)
Choose lettuce that is crisp and sturdy. Romaine and iceberg work best because they hold the filling well without tearing or wilting.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken Breasts | 2 large, shredded |
| Frank’s Red Hot Sauce | ½ cup |
| Butter + Olive Oil | 2 tbsp + ½ tbsp |
| Lettuce | 2 heads (romaine or iceberg) |
Step-by-step instructions
- Cook and shred the chicken. In a large skillet, cook the chicken with ½ cup of water over medium-high heat. As it cooks, shred with two forks. The water will evaporate as the chicken finishes cooking.
- Make the buffalo sauce. Lower the heat to medium-low. Add butter and olive oil to the skillet. Stir until melted and combined.
- Add flavor. Pour in the hot sauce, sprinkle in the celery seed, and season with black pepper. Stir to coat the chicken fully.
- Add crunch. Stir in the thinly sliced celery. Mix well and remove the pan from heat.
- Assemble the wraps. Spoon the hot buffalo chicken mixture into individual lettuce leaves.
- Top it off. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and drizzle lightly with ranch dressing. Serve right away while everything is warm and crisp.
This whole process takes about 20 minutes and delivers big flavor with very little cleanup.
Variations, Serving Tips, and Make-Ahead Ideas
Make it your way
Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps are easy to adjust based on what you like or have on hand. Here are a few simple ways to switch it up:
- Make it milder: Use a mild buffalo sauce or reduce the amount of hot sauce to dial back the heat.
- Make it spicier: Add a dash of cayenne or a splash of your favorite hot sauce to bring the heat up.
- Swap the dressing: If ranch isn’t your thing, blue cheese dressing or a Greek yogurt drizzle works great.
- Try different cheese: Crumbled feta or shredded cheddar can stand in for blue cheese if you prefer something less bold.
- Add more crunch: Top the wraps with shredded carrots or slaw mix for extra texture.
This recipe is flexible enough to match your preferences and pantry. The base stays the same—shredded chicken tossed in warm buffalo sauce—but the toppings are totally up to you.
How to serve buffalo chicken lettuce wraps
These wraps are perfect for more than just dinner. Serve them:
- As a light lunch with a side of fruit or veggie sticks
- On a party tray for an easy appetizer or game-day snack
- With sweet potato fries or baked potato wedges for a heartier meal
- As part of a build-your-own wrap bar with extra toppings on the side
- Over a bed of greens as a salad instead of inside lettuce leaves
They’re easy to hold, fun to eat, and always make a great impression.
Make-ahead and storage
You can prep the chicken ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave before assembling the wraps. Wait to add the lettuce, cheese, and dressing until just before serving so they stay crisp.
This makes them perfect for meal prep, fast lunches, or feeding a crowd with minimal last-minute work.
Nutrition, FAQs, and Final Thoughts
Light, flavorful, and macro-friendly
Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps are naturally low in carbs and packed with protein, making them a great option for a variety of eating styles. Here’s a basic nutritional estimate per wrap (without cheese or dressing):
- Calories: About 160–180 (depends on chicken cut and toppings)
- Protein: 20g+
- Fat: Moderate, from butter and olive oil
- Carbs: Very low, especially if you skip the dressing
This makes them perfect for low-carb, high-protein, or keto-friendly diets. You control what goes in, so it’s easy to keep things clean or indulgent, depending on what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions (PAA)
What is the best lettuce for buffalo chicken wraps?
Romaine or iceberg works best. Both are sturdy and crisp, helping hold the filling without getting soggy. You can also try butter lettuce for a softer bite, but it won’t hold as much.
Can you use shredded chicken for buffalo lettuce wraps?
Yes. Shredded chicken is ideal because it soaks up the sauce evenly. You can use freshly cooked chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or leftover grilled chicken.
Are buffalo chicken lettuce wraps low carb?
Absolutely. Using lettuce instead of bread cuts down carbs significantly. As long as you go easy on high-sugar dressings, these wraps stay low-carb and keto-friendly.
What goes well with buffalo chicken wraps?
Try serving them with crunchy raw veggies, baked potato wedges, or a simple coleslaw. Sweet sides like fruit also help balance the heat of the buffalo sauce.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken lettuce wraps bring bold flavor and fresh crunch together in a way that’s fast, easy, and satisfying. With just a few simple ingredients, you get all the heat of classic buffalo wings in a lighter, low-carb format that still feels indulgent. Whether you’re prepping lunch, hosting friends, or just want a no-fuss dinner, these wraps are ready in minutes and packed with flavor. They’re easy to customize and even easier to love. Once you try them, they’ll earn a spot in your weekly rotation for sure.