Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
A refreshing picnic salad with tender chicken, tangy curry, and crunchy vegetables wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. This general-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs shredded cooked chicken breast, plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2, finely diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced red apple
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 large, washed and patted dry butter lettuce leaves
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tbsp curry powder. Whisk together until smooth and aromatic, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced medium red apple, and 2 thinly sliced green onions to the bowl. Stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the curry dressing.
- Step 3: Season the mixture with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, mixing again until well combined. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 4: Just before serving, separate 8 large butter lettuce leaves and spoon about 1/3 cup of the curried chicken salad into the center of each leaf.
- Step 5: Sprinkle each wrap with approximately 1 tbsp toasted sliced almonds for a nutty crunch, then fold the lettuce around the filling and serve immediately for a cool, satisfying picnic dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep plain greek yogurt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Chilled Curried Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.