Firecracker Chicken Wraps-Easy Appetizer Recipe
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Bring the steakhouse home with our Longhorn-inspired Firecracker Chicken Wraps! These pan-fried delights offer a flavorful, crispy wrap that explodes with chicken, zesty cheese, peppery spices, and a cooling avocado sauce pairing.—a quick and satisfying appetizer, snack, or light dinner with just enough heat.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Firecracker Chicken Wraps
This firecracker chicken wrap recipe will be your new go-to appetizer the spiciness from the cayenne pepper, jalapenos, and pepper jack cheese make for a treat for the tastebuds. With firecracker in the name, you can’t go wrong if you like a little heat.
- Quick and easy recipe! Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Precooked, shredded, or rotisserie chicken saves loads of prep time.
- Recreate the restaurant-style experience at home with this Longhorn copycat recipe.
- Enjoy a burst of flavors with a perfect blend of spicy and savory in every bite.
- Versatile as a quick appetizer, snack, or satisfying dinner idea.
Copycat Longhorn Firecracker Chicken Wraps Ingredients
This spicy firecracker wrap recipe is all about the flavor poppin’ heat and the cool and creamy avocado sauce for a taste explosion! If you have some folks with milder tastes, see my friendly alternatives for the spicy ingredients in the next section.
For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Avocado Sauce Ingredients
- Sour Cream & Mayonnaise – for the creamy base.
- Avocado – chopped.
- Lime Juice – fresh is best.
- Jalapeno – raw and finely chopped.
- Seasonings: Coarse Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, and White Granulated Sugar
Chicken Filling Ingredients
- Veggie Saute: red bell pepper, yellow onion, minced garlic, jalapenos, and avocado oil.
- Cooked Chicken – Chopped, shredded, grilled, or leftover rotisserie chicken are all options for this fried chicken wrap recipe.
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Seasonings: paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Lime Juice – the juice from one lime.
- Fresh Cilantro – washed, patted dry, and chopped.
- Soft Flour Tortillas – 8-inch rounds. Plenty of dietary options for soft tortilla rounds include gluten-free tortillas, grain-free tortillas, low-carb, and whole wheat tortillas.
Beat The Heat Swaps
OK, for my friends with fiery personalities who don’t “equate spicy with ‘bring it’!” Here are some fried chicken wrap appetizer substitutions to bring down the temp but not the taste:
- Pepper Jack Cheese – Sharp cheddar, Colby, mild cheddar, herbed goat cheese, or gooey mozzarella for creaminess.
- Cayenne – A dash of red chili powder for zesty notes, cumin, or smoky paprika for sweet depth.
- Fresh Jalapenos – Omit completely or use pickled jalapenos (well drained) or diced green pepper.
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How To Make Spicy Chicken Wrap Appetizers
Quick, and easier than you think, firecracker chicken wraps seal while cooking, and using a larger pan lets you get them plated faster with larger batches. Start by mashing the avocado dipping sauce ingredients until combined, then refrigerate. (Try not to eat it all before serving!)
Equipment Needed:
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Small and Medium Bowls
- Fork and Frying Tongs
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Small and Large Saute Pans
- Serrated knife
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
Quick, and easier than you think, firecracker chicken wraps seal while cooking, and using a larger pan lets you get them plated faster with larger batches. Start by mashing the avocado dipping sauce ingredients until combined, then refrigerate. (Try not to eat it all before serving!)
- Saute veggies in avocado oil.
- Combine the remaining ingredients to the pan, mix well and, remove the pan from heat.
- Add firecracker chicken filling in the center of each tortilla round and fold.
- Heat avocado oil in a clean pan, frying the chicken wraps in the hot oil seam-side down. Rotate the tortilla until the wrap is golden brown.
- Cut each firecracker wrap diagonally down the center and plate. Serve with the homemade avocado sauce on the side or drizzled over the top. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes And Tips
- For those who are not a fan of spicy dishes, you can leave out the pepper jack cheese, jalapenos, and cayenne pepper.
- To seal firecracker wraps so the tortilla won’t break open, always place the chicken wrap seam-side down first into the hot oil.
- To save time and keep the appetizers closer to the same temperature when serving, fry firecracker chicken wraps using a large skillet.
- If you want to serve the chicken wraps warm, don’t cut until you are plating; use a serrated knife to avoid crushing the crispy shell.
- For optimal lime juice, roll the unpeeled fruit on the counter with even pressure, wash, and then cut and squeeze.
Tips For Preparing or Chopping Raw Jalapenos
- Always wear disposable gloves when handling fresh jalapenos if available. The pepper oils are “caliente” and can easily transfer to your hands upon contact. (Avoid rubbing your eyes!)
- Chill the jalapenos and use a very sharp paring knife to help avoid the peppery irritants from spreading into the air. (ie: onion tears)
- When your knife is dull, tiny oil droplets are crushed and dispersed, irritating your eyes, throat, and lungs.
- When incorporating raw jalapenos into your avocado dipping sauce, consider removing the white pith and all the seeds unless you’re a fan of the burn!
The easiest way to prep raw jalapenos:
- Wash and trim the tops off fresh jalapenos, halve lengthwise.
- Lay the halves flat and use a spoon to remove the seeds for a milder flavor.
- Slice halves into thin strips, gather and cut into small pieces.
Storage
Have extra chicken wraps leftover? Stash them safely in the fridge for two to three days, tightly sealed in an airtight container.
When ready to reheat, let the appetizer wrap warm for a few minutes on the counter. You can use a frying pan with a little oil or revive the firecracker chicken outer shell in an air fryer or convection oven.
Recipe FAQs
You can combine the chicken wrap filling ingredients up to three days before, then fill and fold it into the soft tortilla shells and cook. Note, the chicken MUST be precooked; no exceptions.
Although it’s not necessary, I recommend keeping the raw veggies and cilantro separate until you’re ready to assemble or prep and combine on the day of serving.
If you want to prep firecracker chicken wraps ahead, these wraps are freezer champs when assembled but uncooked. Wrap them up tight in plastic or foil; they’ll stay freezer-ready for about 3 months. When you need an easy appetizer or finger foods for a party, thaw them overnight in the fridge, then fry wraps as usual.
Serving Suggestions
You don’t need much to turn this appetizer into a meal. We love firecracker chicken wraps with Fresh Roasted Corn And Black Bean Salad and Garlic Cheese Bread. Try Fresh Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita or Perfect Paloma Cocktails for sipping and Unfried Fried Ice Cream for dessert. Yum!
Firecracker Chicken Wraps
Spice up your appetizer game with this go-to firecracker chicken wrap recipe! The blend of cayenne pepper, jalapenos, and pepper jack cheese promises a tantalizing treat for your taste buds. You can't go wrong with a little heat when the name says "firecracker."
Ingredients
For Avocado Sauce
- ⅛ cup sour cream
- ⅛ cup mayonnaise
- 1 avocado, chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chopped jalapenos
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon white granulated sugar
For Firecracker Chicken Wraps
- ⅛ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ⅛ cup yellow onion, diced
- ¼ cup avocado oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- ¾ cup pepper jack cheese
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 8 flour tortilla shells (8 inch)
Instructions
- In a small bowl add the avocado sauce ingredients. Mix with a fork. Mash and mix everything until combined. Cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
- In a saute pan over medium heat add the bell pepper, onion, 1 tablespoon avocado oil, jalapenos, and garlic. Stir for 3-4 minutes.
- To the pan add the chicken, pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, lime juice, and cilantro. Mix until combined. Remove the saute pan from the heat.
- To a tortilla shell place 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in the center.
- Fold the sides in. Then fold the side closest to you over the top. Continue folding until the wrap is tight. Repeat until all the shells are rolled up.
- In a clean saute pan add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil at a time. Allow the oil to get hot, which will take 2-3 minutes.
- Once the oil is hot place the shells seam side down in the pan. This process will create a seal so the wraps don’t come undone. Rotate the wraps until all the sides are golden brown. Repeat until all the wraps are golden brown. More oil may be needed throughout cooking the wraps.
- Cut each wrap diagonally down the center. A serrated knife works best so it doesn't crush the wraps.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
STORAGE:
Leftover wrap can be safely stored in the fridge for two to three days, tightly sealed in an airtight container.
When ready to reheat, let the appetizer wrap warm for a few minutes on the counter. You can use a frying pan with a little oil or revive the firecracker chicken outer shell in an air fryer or convection oven.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 224Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 271mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 9g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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