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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.