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One-Skillet BBQ Chicken and Coleslaw Wraps

A magnificent one-pan meal featuring succulent, shredded BBQ chicken that's bathed in a sticky hickory-smoke sauce, paired with a zesty, crunchy red and green cabbage coleslaw in a grilled flour tortilla. Perfect for a brilliant showstopper dinner that's quick and full of texture.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 substantial wraps
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Casual
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Sauce Filling
  • 4 cups shredded chicken rotisserie chicken recommended for speed; or cook and shred 3 large chicken thighs or breasts
  • 0.5 cup dark hickory-smoke BBQ sauce plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Coleslaw and Dressing
  • 4 cups red and green cabbage mix freshly shredded
  • 0.5 cup shredded carrots
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp celery seed
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
  • 4 large flour tortillas

Equipment

  • Large Cast Iron Skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring tools
  • Spatula
  • Culinary tweezers

Method
 

  1. Start by preparing the coleslaw so the flavors can marry and the acidity has time to soften the cabbage slightly. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, celery seed, black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt until smooth.
  2. Add the freshly shredded green and red cabbage and shredded carrots to the dressing and toss until evenly coated. Taste and adjust with additional salt if needed. Set aside in the refrigerator.
  3. Preheat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. (If cooking your own chicken, do so now, then shred in the pan). If using rotisserie, simply proceed to step 4.
  4. Add the shredded chicken to the hot skillet, sprinkle with the smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until heated through, which helps develop flavor.
  5. Pour in the dark hickory-smoke BBQ sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thick, sticky, and has formed a perfect, caramelized glaze coating the chicken. Remove from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice. Transfer the filling to a plate. Do not clean the skillet.
  6. To assemble, lay a single flour tortilla on a clean surface. Spread ¼ of the sticky BBQ chicken filling in a line across the center. Top with a generous mound of the zesty, crunchy coleslaw and a final drizzle of extra BBQ sauce.
  7. Fold in the sides of the tortilla, then tightly roll it up into a secure wrap. Repeat for the other 3 wraps.
  8. Return the same cast-iron skillet to the heat over medium. Add a small drizzle of olive oil or butter. Place the assembled wraps, seam-side down, in the skillet. Press down gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the underside is perfectly crisped and has prominent char marks. Flip the wraps and cook for another 1-2 minutes until all sides are toasted. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always use a hot skillet and pat the chicken skin very dry with a paper towel on both sides, making sure the skin is as dry as possible, ensuring a better sear even with pre-cooked meat, which provides that essential textural contrast and keeps the meat from getting soggy. Using rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saving trick. Do not wash the skillet after preparing the chicken filling; use the leftover smoky, sticky fond to finish the assembled wraps for magnificent char marks and grilled-tasting depth of flavor.