Quick and Easy BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps Recipe

When the weather warms up or you are simply exhausted after a long day of work, turning on the oven is the absolute last thing you want to do. That is exactly where these incredible BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps come in to save the day. This recipe takes tender, perfectly seasoned shredded chicken, tosses it in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, and pairs it with a vibrant, crunchy, creamy homemade coleslaw. Rolled tightly into a soft flour tortilla, it is the ultimate fast, fresh, and deeply satisfying meal that comes together in under fifteen minutes.

Close-up of two grilled BBQ chicken wraps filled with creamy slaw and shredded purple cabbage.
Crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, these grilled wraps are a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Finding lunches or light dinners that the entire family will actually look forward to eating can be difficult. If your household has been relying heavily on dense, hot comfort foods like a massive bowl of Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese or a bubbling tray of BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese, these crisp, refreshing wraps are the perfect palate cleanser.

Whether you need a portable lunch for work, a quick meal before soccer practice, or a simple dinner on a lazy Tuesday, these wraps deliver massive flavor with virtually zero cooking required.

Why This Wrap Recipe Works So Well

The real magic of these BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps lies in the brilliant contrast of textures and temperatures. You have the rich, savory, and slightly sweet notes of the barbecue chicken acting as the hearty base. Then, you introduce the cold, highly crunchy, and tangy coleslaw. The acidity of the creamy slaw dressing cuts completely through the heaviness of the BBQ sauce, creating a perfectly balanced bite every single time.

If you love highly flavorful, messy sandwiches like our bold Cajun Chicken Sloppy Joes, you will absolutely adore the flavor profile of this wrap, but you will appreciate that the tortilla keeps all the ingredients neatly contained.

Additionally, this recipe is a meal prep dream. You can use leftover store bought rotisserie chicken, or shred up any grilled chicken breasts you have sitting in the refrigerator. Just like our fresh and simple Gourmet BLT Wraps, having the ingredients prepped and ready in the fridge means you can assemble a restaurant quality meal in seconds.

A stack of toasted BBQ chicken wraps filled with shredded chicken, purple cabbage slaw, and melted cheese on a white plate.
Perfect for meal prep: These toasted wraps feature smoky shredded chicken and a crunchy purple cabbage slaw.

Essential Ingredients

You only need a handful of very simple, everyday grocery items to pull this magnificent, fresh dinner together.

For the BBQ Chicken Filling:

  • Cooked Chicken: Two cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a massive time saver here.

  • BBQ Sauce: Use your absolute favorite brand. A thicker, slightly sweeter Kansas City style sauce usually clings best to the cold meat.

  • Red Onion: Very thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, fresh bite that complements the barbecue flavor perfectly.

For the Creamy Coleslaw:

  • Coleslaw Mix: Grab a bag of pre shredded cabbage and carrots from the produce section to keep this recipe incredibly fast.

  • Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the dressing.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds that essential tangy zip to the slaw.

  • Honey: Just a small drizzle to balance the sharp acidity of the vinegar.

  • Salt and Black Pepper: For basic seasoning.

For Serving:

  • Flour Tortillas: Large, burrito sized soft flour tortillas work best for rolling up a hearty amount of filling without tearing.

Two halved BBQ chicken burritos drizzled with extra barbecue sauce and creamy ranch on a wooden cutting board.
Take your lunch to the next level with these saucy, grilled chicken burritos topped with a tangy BBQ drizzle.

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Mix the Coleslaw Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth.

  2. Toss the Slaw: Add the pre shredded coleslaw mix directly into the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together until the cabbage is evenly coated. Let the slaw sit for about five minutes so the flavors can marry and the cabbage can soften slightly.

  3. Prepare the Chicken: In a separate small bowl, combine your shredded cooked chicken and the barbecue sauce. Stir well until the meat is completely smothered in the sweet and smoky sauce.

  4. Warm the Tortillas: To prevent your tortillas from tearing while rolling, warm them in the microwave for about fifteen seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel.

  5. Assemble the Wraps: Lay a warm tortilla flat on your work surface. Spoon a generous amount of the BBQ chicken mixture into the center. Top the chicken with a handful of the thinly sliced red onions and a large scoop of the creamy coleslaw.

  6. Roll and Serve: Fold the sides of the tortilla inward, then tightly roll it up from the bottom like a burrito. Slice the wrap in half on a diagonal and serve immediately.

A stack of toasted BBQ chicken wraps filled with shredded chicken, purple cabbage slaw, and melted cheese on a white plate.

BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps

Quick and easy BBQ Chicken Coleslaw Wraps loaded with saucy shredded chicken, crisp creamy slaw, and fresh flavors. Perfect for a no-cook lunch or light dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 wraps
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 3 cups coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Add the coleslaw mix to the dressing and toss until fully coated. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce and mix well.
  • Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 15 seconds until pliable.
  • Lay each tortilla flat and add a portion of BBQ chicken to the center.
  • Top with sliced red onion and a generous scoop of coleslaw.
  • Fold in the sides and roll tightly into a wrap.
  • Slice in half if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, add shredded cheese or sliced pickles. You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience. These wraps are best served fresh but can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for a few hours before serving.

What to Serve With Chicken Wraps

Because these wraps are wonderfully crisp and refreshing, they pair beautifully with simple, crunchy sides. Potato chips, sweet potato fries, or a fresh fruit salad are all excellent choices for a fast meal.

If you are hosting a casual weekend get together and want to offer a wide variety of handheld foods, serve these BBQ wraps alongside a massive platter of our famous Chicken Parmesan Sliders.

Love switching up your dinner themes throughout the week? If you serve these wraps on Monday, you can easily transition to a fantastic Mexican inspired feast the next night with a bubbling tray of Queso Chicken Enchiladas or some incredibly rich Cheesy Rotel Beef Tacos. And when you are ready to bring pasta back to the dinner table, an elegant Cowboy Butter Lemon Bowtie Chicken will absolutely blow your family away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these wraps ahead of time? It is highly recommended to store the components separately if you are meal prepping. If you assemble the wrap completely and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, the moisture from the coleslaw and the BBQ sauce will make the flour tortilla very soggy. Pack the chicken, slaw, and tortilla in separate containers and assemble right before eating.

What other wraps can I use? If you are watching your carbohydrate intake, you can easily serve this filling inside large romaine lettuce leaves or butter lettuce cups. Whole wheat tortillas or spinach wraps also work beautifully and add extra nutrition.

Can I heat the chicken up first? Absolutely! While this wrap is incredibly delicious served entirely cold, many people prefer the contrast of hot BBQ chicken against the cold, crunchy slaw. Simply microwave your BBQ chicken mixture for about a minute before assembling the wrap.