The chicken meatball tortilla wrap is a warm, soft-wrapped sandwich ready in 25 minutes: small pan-fried chicken meatballs, lettuce and tomato, all rolled in a tortilla. A back-to-school lunchbox fix that doesn't need a knife and fork.

Why this holds up better in a lunchbox than a regular sandwich

Regular sandwiches often go soggy by recess or spill their filling. A tortilla is sturdier than a bread roll, and small meatballs stay put inside the roll instead of falling out. Briefly warming the tortilla in a dry pan before filling also keeps it pliable so it doesn't crack when you roll it.

How to save time in the morning

You can make the meatballs the night before and keep them in the fridge, so all that's left in the morning is warming a tortilla, spreading and rolling. You can also double the batch and freeze cooked meatballs in a bag. Pull them out the night before and reheat for a minute in a pan before assembling.

Chicken Meatball Tortilla Wrap

Small pan-fried chicken meatballs with fresh veggies rolled in a soft tortilla. A sturdy, no-mess lunchbox wrap ready in 25 minutes.

Chicken Meatball Tortilla Wrap
Servings: 4 wrapsPrep time: 15 minCook time: 10 minTotal time: 25 min

Ingredients

  • 14 oz / 400 g ground chicken
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup / 240 ml shredded lettuce
  • 1 tomato (thinly sliced)
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise or yogurt

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the ground chicken with garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper until you get an even mixture.

  2. Shape into small balls with damp hands.

  3. Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the meatballs for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.

  4. Warm each tortilla briefly in a dry pan so it stays pliable.

  5. Spread a little mayonnaise or yogurt on the tortilla, then add lettuce, tomato and meatballs.

  6. Roll tightly and cut in half to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the wrap ahead and pack it for the next day?
Yes, wrap it in parchment paper or aluminum foil and keep it in the fridge overnight. Add the tomato only in the morning so the tortilla doesn't absorb moisture.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Yes, ground turkey works the same way and comes out slightly drier. Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the mixture to compensate.

Can I make this without spicy seasoning for sensitive kids?
Yes, skip the garlic or use half a clove. The rest of the recipe doesn't depend on any spicy seasoning.