Save to Pinterest The first time I made hot honey chicken, my roommate walked into the kitchen and asked what smelled like a fairground met a spice cabinet. That addictive sweet heat combination is impossible to resist, and wrapping it up with cool creamy Caesar creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting.
I started making these wraps for weekday lunches when I needed something that felt indulgent but came together quickly. Now my friends specifically request them for game days, and theres something deeply satisfying about watching someone bite into that first crispy strip and their eyes light up.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Cutting them into strips ensures even cooking and maximizes that crispy surface area for the honey to cling to
- Buttermilk: This tenderizes the chicken and helps the coating adhere, creating that restaurant style crunch we all love
- Panko breadcrumbs: These lighter flakes create an airier crunch than regular breadcrumbs and stay crispy longer
- Smoked paprika: Adds subtle depth and smokiness that plays beautifully with the honey heat
- Honey: The base of our glaze, its natural sweetness balances the heat and creates that perfect sticky coating
- Hot sauce: Frank's RedHot gives that classic vinegar kick, but use your favorite to adjust the heat level
- Romaine lettuce: Its sturdy crunch holds up perfectly against warm ingredients without getting wilted
- Caesar dressing: Creamy, tangy, and rich, it cools down the spicy chicken while adding classic flavor
- Flour tortillas: Large 10 inch wraps fold neatly around all those generous fillings without tearing
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken:
- Let those strips soak in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes while you prep your coating station
- Create the coating:
- Mix flour, panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish until well combined
- Coat the chicken:
- Press each buttermilk soaked strip into the crumb mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides
- Fry to perfection:
- Heat about half an inch of oil and fry chicken in batches for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through
- Make the hot honey:
- Warm honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat just until blended
- Glaze the chicken:
- Toss those crispy strips in the hot honey sauce until each piece is beautifully coated and glistening
- Prep the Caesar:
- Toss romaine with Caesar dressing, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes, adding croutons if you love extra crunch
- Warm your tortillas:
- Quickly heat each tortilla in a dry skillet so they become pliable and ready for rolling
- Assemble the wraps:
- Layer Caesar salad in the center of each tortilla, top generously with hot honey chicken, then fold in the sides and roll tightly
- Serve them up:
- Slice each wrap in half diagonally and serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and crispy
Save to Pinterest These wraps became my go to for feeding a crowd because everyone can customize their spice level and add ins. Last summer I made them for a beach day, and we ended up sitting on the sand eating them with honey sticky fingers, laughing that beach food had never tasted this good.
Making It Lighter
I have made these with baked or air fried chicken when I want the same flavors without the deep fry. The coating still gets crispy, just with a lighter texture that some people actually prefer.
Make Ahead Strategy
You can bread the chicken ahead and store it in the refrigerator, but fry it right before assembling for the best texture. The hot honey can be made days in advance and warmed up when needed.
Serving Variations
Sometimes I serve the components separately for a DIY wrap bar, letting everyone build their perfect combination. It is especially fun for gatherings and takes the pressure off assembly.
- Set out extra hot honey on the table for drizzling
- Offer sliced avocado or bacon as optional toppings
- Keep extra napkins handy because things get gloriously messy
Save to Pinterest There is something genuinely joyful about eating food that requires two hands to conquer. Hope these wraps become a regular in your rotation too.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use store-bought fried chicken instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, absolutely. You can use rotisserie chicken or store-bought fried chicken to save time. Simply toss it with the hot honey sauce before assembling the wraps.
- → How do I adjust the spice level?
Control the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes in the honey mixture. Start with less and add more until you reach your preferred spice level.
- → What's a good substitute for Caesar dressing?
Ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or a homemade Greek yogurt-based dressing all work well. Choose based on your flavor preferences.
- → Can I prepare these wraps ahead of time?
It's best to assemble wraps just before serving to keep tortillas soft and prevent the filling from making them soggy. However, you can prep ingredients in advance and assemble when ready to eat.
- → What are some good side dishes to serve with these wraps?
Pair with crispy fries, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, corn chips, or a fresh green salad. A cooling side like ranch dip or tzatziki complements the spicy hot honey well.
- → Is there a healthier cooking method for the chicken?
Yes, bake the breaded chicken at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or use an air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Both methods produce crispy results with less oil.