My younger sister and her boyfriend challenged me to create a healthier Crunchwrap – they sent me a few TikTok videos of people making the real deal at home, and challenged me to to make it with a healthy twist. So, I did and honestly, it’s GOOD! Here is why this recipe is truly healthier or “healthified”:
- I use whole wheat, regular size tortillas (compared to the jumbo tortillas often used for Crunchwraps). This makes the Crunchwrap lower in calories (simply because it’s not oversized), and the whole wheat tortilla provides more fiber than a traditional flour tortilla
- Homemade shredded chicken is used (boiled, then shredded) so the chicken is not cooked with any oils. I also made a homemade taco seasoning vs buying a pre made seasoning so there is no MSG or added preservatives
- Added black beans for additional protein
- I omitted the tostada/chips that are typically used for the crunch, and instead made a cheese crisp as a lower cab, higher protein alternative
Serving Size: 1 Crunchwrap
Ingredients
- 2 whole wheat tortillas (I used Mission 100% Whole Wheat, regular size)
- 2 small chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon shredded Chalupa or Mexican cheese
- 1 tablespoon black beans
- 1 tablespoon romani lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 tablespoon red onion, chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon tomato, diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (everything but the bagel seasoning works well too!)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Dash of salt
- Dash of pepper
- Dash of red pepper flakes
Instructions: The instructions look really long, I was trying to be very descriptive and clear, it’s easier than it looks, promise! I provided one YouTube video within the instructions, which I found really helpful. There are also a lot of Crunchwrap how to’s on YouTube and TikTok, which I found worth watching before making my Crunchwrap so I could envision how to stuff and fold.
- Boil your chicken: fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, drop in your chicken thighs and continue to boil for 35 minutes (closer to 45 minutes if chicken is frozen). While chicken is boiling, prepare the rest of your ingredients, see below:
- Make your taco seasoning: in a small bowl combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, set aside
- Make your guac: in a small bowl, mash the avocado and then combine with the red onion and a little salt and pepper (this is just your most basic guac, but is all you need in this recipe. Store bought guac works too), set aside
- Prepare your tortillas: place one tortilla on a cutting board, and cut out a circle about the size of your palm – I used a copper mug, placed it on the tortilla and cut out a circle. Set aside the circle you cut out, and discard the remainder of the tortilla
- When chicken is done boiling, drain and place chicken in a medium sized bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken (it should be super soft, and easy too shred!). Combine the shredded chicken with your taco seasoning
- Make your cheese crisp: heat a saucepan over medium high heat, and spray with a little avocado oil or heat a teaspoon of oil of choice (olive oil, avocado oil, etc.). Add 1/2 cup of your cheese to the center of the pan, and pat down with a spatula. Once cheese is crispy on the bottom/sides and you can easily slide a spatula underneath, flip it over to crisp up the other side (you’re aiming to create a crisp, cheese circle, about the size of the circle you cut out of your tortilla). Once done, take off heat and set aside.
- Now that your ingredients are prepped, it’s time to assemble and cook your Crunchwrap! Important note: Do NOT overstuff your tortilla, or it will be impossible to fold. You may not use all of each ingredient. 1) Place your whole tortilla on a cutting board. Place a spoonful of guac in the center of your tortilla, and spread it into a circle. 2) Add the shredded chicken on top of the guac (you most likely will not use all of the chicken) 3) Sprinkle just a little cheese on top of the chicken 4) Place beans and lettuce on top of the cheese/chicken 5) Place your prepared cheese crisp on top of the beans 6) Spread a bit of the guac on top of the cheese crisp, and sprinkle your tomatoes on top 7) Place the cut out circle of tortilla on top of the tomatoes. Note: The cut out tortilla circle helps to keep the ingredients in once you fold, and flip onto the pan to cook. Now it is time to fold!
- You will want to have a pan ready to go – I just used the same pan that I used to make the cheese crisp. It had enough oil left to crisp up the tortilla perfectly. Folding is a bit hard to put into words, so I found this YouTube video that shows you how to fold! CLICK HERE to watch. When you’re finished folding your tortilla, don’t let go! Immediately flip onto the pan (folded side down, smooth side up), and cook over medium high heat. Once the bottom is crisp, carefully flip using a spatula and crisp up the other side (you only need to cook the Crunchwrap for 4ish minutes, but crispiness is key!)
- Helpful note: If your tortilla starts to unfold a bit once the folded side is facing up, you can add a little cheese and hold the tortilla edges down almost like a glue so everything stays in place!
- When Crunchwrap is done cooking, cut in half on the diagonal (I personally think it looks and tastes better this way!), and enjoy!