Hot Honey Chicken Caesar Wrap

My roommate stared at me like I was crazy the first time I suggested hot honey on chicken, but that single doubting moment led to what became our Friday night ritual for months. The way the sweet heat cuts through rich Caesar dressing creates this perfect balance that makes you forget you are eating a salad wrapped in a tortilla.

Last summer my sister came over exhausted from a 12 hour nursing shift and I made these for her. She took one bite, closed her eyes, and whispered that she would happily work another double shift for this dinner again.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: Cutting them into strips gives you more surface area for that crispy coating and ensures every bite has the perfect meat to crunch ratio
• Buttermilk: The tang here tenderizes the chicken while helping the breading adhere better than any other marinade I have tried
• Panko breadcrumbs: These create this incredibly airy crunch that regular breadcrumbs just cannot match
• Smoked paprika: This adds a subtle depth that keeps the breading from being one dimensional
• Honey and hot sauce: I learned that a one to three ratio gives you this mellow heat that lets you actually taste the honey
• Romaine lettuce: Sturdier than other greens so it does not wilt when wrapped up with warm components
• Caesar dressing: Make sure it is thick and creamy because thin dressing will make your wrap soggy
• Flour tortillas: The 10 inch size is crucial because smaller ones tear when you try to fold them properly

Instructions

Start the marinating magic:

Let those chicken strips swim in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes while you prep everything else

Mix your coating station:

Whisk together the flour, panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish until well combined

Create the crunch:

Press each buttermilk soaked strip into the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat thoroughly and pressing gently to help it stick

Fry to perfection:

Heat about half an inch of oil until it shimmers, then fry chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply golden

Make the hot honey:

Warm the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat just until blended

Coat the chicken:

Toss the crispy strips in the hot honey sauce until every piece is glistening and beautifully coated

Prep the Caesar:

Toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes until lightly coated

Warm your tortillas:

Give each tortilla a quick 20 second spin in a dry skillet to make them pliable and easier to roll

Assemble like a pro:

Pile Caesar salad in the center of each tortilla, top with chicken strips, then fold in the sides and roll tightly

Serve immediately:

Slice in half on the diagonal and watch the hot honey chicken and Caesar filling spill out just enough to look incredible

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My partner now requests these for Sunday dinner every week and honestly, I am not complaining about the tradition at all.

Making It Lighter

You can absolutely bake these at 425F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, and they still get remarkably crispy. The texture is different from frying but honestly just as satisfying in its own way.

Customization Ideas

Sometimes I add crispy bacon because everything is better with bacon. Sliced avocado works beautifully too and helps cool down the heat from the honey.

Storage Solutions

These are best eaten immediately but if you must prep ahead, keep the components separate and assemble right before serving.

• Store leftover fried chicken without the hot honey coating
• Keep Caesar salad undressed until ready to wrap
• Reheat wrapped tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds to refresh

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Hope these wraps find their way into your regular rotation like they did in mine.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make the chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can fry the chicken up to 2 hours ahead and reheat it gently in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes before tossing with the hot honey sauce. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

→ What's the best way to keep wraps from falling apart?

Warm your tortillas before assembling to make them pliable and less likely to crack. Don't overfill each wrap—layer ingredients evenly and tightly roll from one end, folding in the sides as you go. Wrapping them in foil helps keep them intact.

→ How can I make this healthier?

Replace deep-frying with air-frying or baking the chicken at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy. Use Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing, whole wheat tortillas, and add extra vegetables like cucumbers or bell peppers to increase nutrition.

→ Can I adjust the heat level of the hot honey?

Absolutely. Start with less hot sauce and red pepper flakes, then taste and add more to reach your desired spice level. You can also use milder hot sauces or skip the pepper flakes entirely for a gentler kick.

→ What dressing alternatives work if I don't have Caesar?

Ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or a Greek yogurt-based lemon herb dressing all pair beautifully with hot honey chicken. You could also use a simple olive oil and vinegar-based dressing for a lighter option.

→ Is this suitable for meal prep?

You can prepare the components separately and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days: fried chicken in an airtight container, Caesar salad and dressing separately, and warm tortillas fresh when ready to assemble and eat.