Pepper Me Up

If there’s one thing I’ll never turn down, it’s a Caesar salad. Creamy, salty, crunchy—what’s not to love? But as much as I adore the classic, I’m always chasing ways to give ol’ girl a little extra oomph. That’s how this Spicy Caesar Wrap was born. It’s everything you expect from a Caesar salad, but with the added bonus of handheld portability and a punch of sweet heat from our beloved sister in spice, Sriracha. Once you have the ingredients, you’re ready to make a delectable lunch you’ll actually look forward to, or a leafy dinner that’s ready in under 15 minutes that doesn’t feel like “just a salad.”

Fun fact: While I’ve made this recipe my own over the years, its original form comes from one of my first food jobs I ever had: Noodles & Company. Alas, it’s been years since they removed the Spicy Chicken Caesar Wrap from their menu, but with this recipe, you can be part of the cult movement of helping it live on! I hope you enjoy this dish just as much as I do.

Why Make Caesar Salad Spicy?

…Why not? The girl next door of salads, Caesar is classically delicious on her own, but deserves and yearns for some adventure. The creaminess and saltiness balances spice beautifully, and the garlicky, lemony base plays so well with chili heat. For me, adding sriracha (or whatever hot sauce you’re loyal to) transforms Caesar from a supporting-character side dish into something bold enough to stand on its own.

What Goes in a Spicy Caesar Wrap?

This wrap is simple, but it hits every texture and flavor note. Here’s what’s goin’ in:

• Romaine lettuce and spinach for freshness and greenery
• Shredded chicken for protein (swap in drained and rinsed canned chickpeas or cannellini beans if you’re going for meatless)
• Wonton strips for a salty crunch factor (totally optional, but highly recommended. You can also throw in some almond shavings, pumpkin seeds, or classic croutons to achieve the crunchy texture component.)
• Caesar dressing as the creamy base
• Sriracha for spice (though feel free to swap in your favorite hot sauce)
• Naan, pita, or a tortilla as the wrap—whichever carb blanket you have on hand
• Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top for the finishing touch (preferably freshly grated, but pre-grated works too!)

How to put it together

Making this wrap is a great time. As long as you have some prepped chicken on hand, this recipe is essentially cooking-free! Toss your lettuce, chicken, and spinach with Caesar dressing and a good squirt of sriracha. Warm up your naan (or wrap of choice) so it’s pliable and easy to fold. Then just pile the salad mixture in, garnish with parmesan and maybe another drizzle of sriracha, and wrap it up. Time to eat!

What to pair it with

This wrap can totally hold its own, but never be afraid to take things up a notch. Whether you’re planning to serve it while hosting people or treating yourself to a nice meal in tonight, here are a few pairings I love:

• Soups: Tomato basil soup or a light chicken noodle are perfect companions. The warmth and comfort of classic soup balances the fresh crunch and edgy spice of the wrap.
• Chips & Dips: Go classic with kettle chips and onion dip, or elevate things with pita chips and homemade hummus on the side.
• Light Sides: A simple fruit salad or marinated tomatoes add a little extra variety without weighing the meal down.
• Savory Sides: If you’re craving something heartier, mac and cheese is a dreamy, indulgent pairing; the creamy richness plays off the creamy spice in the wrap. Roasted potatoes or fries also make a killer side when you’re in a comfort food or Girl Dinner state of mind.
• Drinks: Sparkling water with lime or a light lager keeps things refreshing. If you’re leaning into the spice, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a citrusy IPA also pairs nicely.
• Aperitivos: A Hugo or Aperol Spritz will make this feel like a café-worthy lunch. The bitter-sweet notes play so well with the salty-spicy combo of the wrap. Perfect for when the vision is a summer picnic. 

Storing for meal prep purposes

If you’re prepping ahead, you’ve got a couple options:

1. Assemble fresh each day. Store the salad mixture separately in a container and keep your naan/tortilla on the side. Portion out your dressing and sauce separately as well. This way, things won’t get soggy.
2. Pre-wrap, but keep the dressing out. If you want to assemble in the morning, toss everything except the Caesar dressing and sriracha together, then add those right before eating. You could also keep the dressing separate and dip the wrap in them!

Experiment and figure out which eating experience tickles your fancy. No matter what you land on, it’ll travel well and be a lot more exciting than a typical sad desk salad.

Why You’ll Love This Wrap

This spicy Caesar wrap is proof that meal prep doesn’t have to be boring. It’s customizable (swap chicken for shrimp or salmon, swap naan for a tortilla, swap sriracha for buffalo sauce, add bacon or pesto to it, etc.), portable, and way more fun than eating wilty salad out of a bowl for the umpteenth time. And because it’s so quick to make, it’s the perfect “I need something yummy and filling, but I dooooon’t really want to cook” solution.

Meal planning with the spicy Caesar wrap

Here’s what a week of meals could look like with spicy Caesar in the mix!

Monday

• Breakfast: Avocado toast with egg and greens
• Lunch: Spicy Caesar wrap
• Dinner: Sweet potato taco boats with black beans, corn, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, and sour cream

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Breakfast tacos with eggs, beans, cheese, and greens
• Lunch: BLT and fruit
• Dinner: Chicken Caesar salad with homemade sweet potato fries

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, fruit
• Lunch: Spicy Caesar wrap
• Dinner: Southwest cobb salad with corn, onion, beans, egg, bacon, tomato, red onion, and avocado

Thursday

• Breakfast: Overnight oats with fruit
• Lunch: Southwest cobb salad
• Dinner: Spicy Caesar BLT

Friday

• Breakfast: Overnight oats with fruit
• Lunch: Any leftovers
• Dinner: Eat out