Harvest Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps are a practical choice when a cold lunch sounds better than something heavy.
The chicken salad has plenty of texture without being complicated, and the butter lettuce keeps each serving light and easy to handle.
Honeycrisp apple adds a crisp bite and mild sweetness, while dried cranberries give the salad a little extra chew. Pecans add crunch, and the celery and red onion keep the mixture from becoming too soft.
The dressing stays creamy without overwhelming everything else. Greek yogurt makes up most of the base, with a little mayonnaise for richness, Dijon for sharpness, lemon juice for brightness, and honey to balance the tang.
These wraps also work well for meal prep because the chicken salad can chill before serving. Keep the lettuce separate until mealtime so the leaves stay crisp.
A large mixing bowl gives enough room to coat the chicken evenly, while a small bowl and whisk make the dressing easy to mix.
Why You’ll Love This Harvest Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
High in Protein
Each serving has 42 grams of protein, making these lettuce wraps a filling option for lunch or dinner.
Plenty of Texture
The chicken is tender, the apple and celery are crisp, the cranberries are chewy, and the pecans add crunch. Nothing about the salad feels one-note.
Easy to Make Ahead
The chicken salad needs 30 minutes to chill, so it can be prepared before lunch or dinner and kept refrigerated until needed.
Fresh Without Being Plain
Butter lettuce keeps the wraps crisp and light, while the creamy dressing and mix-ins give the filling enough flavor to make the meal satisfying.
Ingredient Substitutions
Honeycrisp Apple
Use another crisp apple such as Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady. Choose one that holds its shape after chopping.
Pecans
Walnuts are the closest substitute and give the salad a similar crunch.
Dried Cranberries
Chopped dried cherries can be used in the same amount for a slightly different sweet-tart flavor.
Butter Lettuce
Romaine leaves can replace butter lettuce if a firmer, crunchier wrap is preferred.
Greek Yogurt
Plain low-fat Greek yogurt can replace nonfat Greek yogurt without changing the preparation.
Light Mayonnaise
Regular mayonnaise can be used if preferred, although it will make the dressing richer.
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RECOMMENDED TOOL FOR THIS RECIPE
Vegetable Chopper
A handy shortcut for finely chopped salad ingredients.
Harvest Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breast diced
- 1 medium fresh Honeycrisp apples diced
- ⅓ cup celery finely diced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoon red onion finely diced
- 8 large butter lettuce leaves
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon light Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the chicken, apple, celery, dried cranberries, pecans, and red onion to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Divide the chicken salad evenly among the butter lettuce leaves.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Dice the ingredients evenly – Smaller, similar-sized pieces make the chicken salad easier to spoon into the lettuce leaves and help distribute the flavors evenly. Keep the lettuce dry – Pat the leaves dry after washing so the wraps stay crisp and the filling does not slide around. Keep the lettuce separate for meal prep – Store the chicken salad and lettuce in separate containers until serving. Use cold cooked chicken – Chilled chicken works best here because the salad is meant to be served cold.Storing
Refrigerate the chicken salad – Store the prepared chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the lettuce separately – Keep washed and dried butter lettuce in a separate container so the leaves do not become soggy. Assemble before serving – Spoon the chilled chicken salad into the lettuce leaves shortly before eating for the best texture.Nutrition
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