Delicious & Easy Tandoori Chicken Wraps with Creamy Tzatziki: Your Go-To Flavorful Meal
These Tandoori Chicken Wraps with Tzatziki and Arugula are a culinary revelation – the kind of recipe that consistently delivers on flavor, convenience, and versatility. They are incredibly quick to prepare, require a handful of accessible ingredients, and burst with rich, aromatic flavors that will transport your taste buds. Whether you’re seeking a speedy lunch solution, an effortless weeknight dinner, or a vibrant addition to a summer picnic, these wraps are an ideal choice. You can even transform them into delightful mini wraps, making them perfect for entertaining guests or adding a pop of flavor to any party spread. Trust us, everyone absolutely loves them.
The magic lies in the harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Imagine tender, juicy chicken, deeply infused with warm, fragrant Indian spices, nestled alongside the peppery bite of fresh arugula and a generous dollop of cool, creamy tzatziki. Every single bite offers a delightful contrast – a symphony of creamy, crunchy, and a hint of spicy goodness that’s surprisingly easy to achieve. This recipe proves that amazing flavors don’t have to be complicated.
Spicy Tandoori Wraps with Yogurt-Marinated Chicken: A Flavorful Journey
Our household has a deep-seated love affair with Indian cuisine. The captivating aromas, the vibrant colors, and the profound, layered flavors consistently transform any meal into a special occasion. This particular wrap recipe originated from a spontaneous moment, born out of a desire to creatively use some leftover chicken and a jar of tzatziki that was calling my name. The result was so unexpectedly delicious that it quickly became a staple in our rotation, especially for those hectic days when time is of the essence but flavor cannot be compromised.
What makes this recipe truly stand out is its incredible flexibility. Don’t have arugula on hand? Crisp lettuce or spinach works beautifully. Short on time for cutting fresh chicken? Shredded leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken can be effortlessly incorporated. And as for the tzatziki, whether you prefer the fresh, vibrant taste of homemade or the convenience of a store-bought version, both options integrate seamlessly into this dish. Just like my beloved Slow Cooker Butter Chicken or the classic Indian Tikka Masala, the fundamental steps are straightforward, yet the ultimate outcome is nothing short of spectacular. This adaptability ensures that a delicious, flavor-packed meal is always within reach.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Tandoori Chicken Wraps
If you’re looking for a meal that ticks all the boxes – delicious, quick, healthy, and versatile – then these Tandoori Chicken Wraps are about to become your new favorite. Here’s why this recipe shines:
- Lightning Fast: With a prep time of just 5 minutes and a cook time of 15 minutes (plus marinating), this meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying on the table in a flash.
- Explosion of Flavor: The homemade Tandoori spice mix, combined with the creamy tzatziki and fresh greens, creates a complex flavor profile that is both exotic and comforting.
- Customizable to Your Liking: As mentioned, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. Swap out ingredients based on what you have, your dietary preferences, or even your mood.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re serving them as a hearty dinner or smaller appetizers, these wraps are universally loved. The balance of spicy, savory, and cool is appealing to almost everyone.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with lean protein from the chicken, fresh vegetables, and a yogurt-based sauce, these wraps offer a balanced and nutritious meal option.
The Heart of the Flavor: Tandoori Chicken & Marinade
Tandoori chicken is renowned globally for its distinct vibrant red color and its smoky, spicy flavor. Traditionally, it’s cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, which imparts a unique char and tenderness. While most home kitchens don’t have a tandoor, we can still capture the essence of Tandoori chicken right in a pan! The secret lies in the marinade.
Our recipe uses a simple yet effective yogurt-based marinade. Yogurt is a fantastic tenderizer for chicken, thanks to its lactic acid. It breaks down the chicken fibers, resulting in incredibly moist and tender meat. Beyond tenderizing, yogurt acts as a perfect vehicle for the spices, ensuring every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated and infused with flavor. The spices, including cumin, coriander, paprika, and a touch of cayenne, create that characteristic warm and slightly fiery Tandoori profile. A minimum of 30 minutes marinating time is recommended to allow these flavors to penetrate the chicken, but if you have more time, even an hour or two (or overnight!) will yield even deeper flavors.
The Perfect Cool Companion: Refreshing Tzatziki
What truly elevates these Tandoori Chicken Wraps is the inclusion of tzatziki. This creamy, refreshing Greek sauce, made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill, provides a brilliant counterpoint to the warm, spicy notes of the Tandoori chicken. It’s the yin to the Tandoori’s yang, offering a cooling, tangy, and herbaceous element that perfectly balances the overall profile of the wrap.
The cucumber in tzatziki adds a refreshing crunch and natural moisture, while the garlic provides a subtle pungent kick without overpowering. Whether you choose to make your own tzatziki from scratch (which I highly recommend for the freshest taste, see my homemade tzatziki recipe) or opt for a good quality store-bought version for ultimate convenience, don’t skip this crucial component. It’s what ties all the flavors together and makes each bite incredibly satisfying.
Crafting Your Own Signature Tandoori Spice Blend
While pre-made Tandoori spice mixes are readily available and certainly convenient, there’s a unique satisfaction and depth of flavor that comes from blending your own spices. Making your own mix allows you to control the freshness and exact ratios, tailoring it to your preference for heat and aroma. The process is straightforward and yields a vibrant, fragrant blend that will elevate not just these wraps, but many other Indian-inspired dishes.
Our blend includes:
- Cumin Seeds & Coriander Seeds: These form the aromatic backbone, offering earthy, warm notes. Toasting them briefly before grinding intensifies their flavor.
- Cloves: Add a sweet, pungent warmth.
- Paprika Powder: Contributes a beautiful red color and a mild, sweet peppery flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: Provides the signature Tandoori heat. Adjust to your desired spice level – omit for a milder version suitable for children.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Introduce warm, sweet undertones that add complexity to the spice blend.
- Ground Black Pepper & Sea Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors.
Grinding whole spices just before use is key to unlocking their full aromatic potential. A simple coffee grinder (dedicated to spices!) or a good spice grinder will make quick work of it. This homemade blend will taste significantly fresher and more vibrant than most store-bought alternatives, and the leftover mix can be stored for future use, making subsequent Tandoori dishes even faster to prepare.
Assembling Your Perfect Tandoori Chicken Wrap: Step-by-Step
Once your flavorful Tandoori chicken is cooked to perfection and your tzatziki is ready, assembling these wraps is the final, satisfying step. The key is to create layers of flavor and texture that make every bite exciting.
- Warm the Wraps: Start by gently warming your tortilla wraps in a dry pan. This makes them pliable and soft, preventing them from cracking when rolled, and enhances their texture.
- Lay the Foundation: Spread a generous layer of the seasoned Tandoori chicken mixture down the center of each warm tortilla.
- Add the Freshness: Pile on a handful of peppery arugula (or your chosen greens). The fresh, slightly bitter notes of arugula cut through the richness of the chicken beautifully.
- Dollop with Creaminess: Finish with a spoonful (or two!) of the cool and tangy tzatziki. This is where the magic happens, bringing all the bold flavors into perfect balance.
- Roll and Enjoy: Tightly roll your wraps, folding in the sides as you go to create a neat, portable package. Serve them immediately to enjoy the warmth of the chicken contrasting with the coolness of the tzatziki and the crispness of the arugula.
This simple assembly ensures that each wrap is a complete meal, offering a delightful interplay of warmth, coolness, spice, and freshness. It’s a truly satisfying dish that comes together effortlessly.
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Tandoori Spice Mix
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 3 cloves
- 2 tablespoons paprika powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
For the Wraps
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips for quick cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Tandoori spice mix (from above or store-bought)
- 1 cup frozen peas (can use fresh, cooked)
- 4 large tortilla wraps (flour or whole wheat)
- 2 cups fresh arugula (or mixed greens/lettuce)
- 4 tablespoons Tzatziki (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup water
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Homemade Tandoori Spice Mix:
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To create your homemade Tandoori spice blend, combine all the listed whole and ground spices in a blender or a dedicated spice grinder. Process them until you achieve a very fine, aromatic powder. This ensures a smooth consistency and maximizes flavor infusion.½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 3 cloves, 2 tablespoons paprika powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
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You’ll need two tablespoons of this freshly made spice mix for this recipe. Store any remaining spice blend in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place, and it will keep its potency for several weeks, ready for your next culinary creation.
Preparation of the Wraps:
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In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly combine the plain yogurt with two tablespoons of your prepared Tandoori spice mix. Add the chicken breast strips, ensuring each piece is well coated in the flavorful marinade. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours or even overnight.3 tablespoons plain yogurt, 1 pound chicken breast, 2 tablespoons Tandoori spice mix
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Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its sweet aroma.1 medium onion
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Add the marinated chicken strips to the pan with the softened onion. Increase the heat to high and cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is nicely browned on all sides and mostly cooked through.
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Stir in the frozen peas and add ¼ cup of water to the pan. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the mixture simmer gently for another 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and cooked through, while the peas become vibrant.1 cup frozen peas
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While the chicken is simmering, warm your tortilla wraps. You can do this by heating them one at a time in a separate dry pan over medium heat for about 15-20 seconds per side, until they are soft and pliable. Alternatively, warm them briefly in the microwave.4 large tortilla wraps
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To assemble, lay out a warm tortilla wrap. Spoon a generous amount of the Tandoori chicken mixture down the center. Top with a handful of fresh arugula, then finish with a dollop of creamy tzatziki. This layering ensures a burst of flavor and texture in every bite.2 cups fresh arugula, 4 tablespoons Tzatziki
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Carefully roll up the wraps, tucking in the sides to create a secure parcel. Serve immediately to enjoy the best combination of warm, cool, and crisp elements. These wraps are best when freshly assembled.
Notes
2. Are these wraps a good choice for kids? Yes, many kids enjoy the mild spice and creamy texture of these wraps. If your children are sensitive to spice, simply omit or significantly reduce the cayenne pepper from the Tandoori spice mix. You can also offer a milder green like spinach instead of arugula.
3. Can I use store-bought Tandoori spice mix? Definitely! A good quality ready-made Tandoori spice mix works perfectly fine and saves a step. However, making your own blend allows for greater control over the flavor intensity and ensures the freshest, most vibrant aromas.
4. No chicken? No problem! Versatile Protein Options If chicken isn’t available or you prefer a vegetarian option, you can easily substitute it. Try using cubed paneer (Indian cheese), firm tofu, or even chickpeas. Simply marinate them in the same yogurt and Tandoori spice mixture and cook as directed for the chicken. Adjust cooking times as needed until heated through and lightly browned.
5. Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Serving Tip: For the ultimate freshness and texture, it’s always best to assemble the wraps just before eating. This prevents the tortillas from getting soggy and keeps the arugula nice and crisp.
- Refrigerator: Store the cooked Tandoori chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep the tzatziki, arugula, and tortilla wraps separately.
- Freezer: The cooked Tandoori chicken mixture freezes well! Transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat the chicken mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Then, assemble with fresh ingredients.
Nutrition
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More Indian-Inspired Delights to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed the vibrant flavors of these Tandoori Chicken Wraps, you’re in for a treat! Indian cuisine offers an incredible array of rich, aromatic dishes that are both comforting and exciting. Here are a few more of my favorite Indian-inspired recipes that I’m sure you’ll love. Each recipe brings its own unique blend of spices and textures, promising another delightful culinary adventure in your kitchen.
- Slow Cooker Beef Curry with Coconut Milk and Spices
- Indian Spiced Honey Roasted Carrots
- Slow Cooker Bombay Curry Recipe