Craving that iconic McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap without having to head out or settle for drive-thru lines? With this easy and absolutely delicious homemade version, you’ll have all the crispy chicken, creamy ranch, fresh lettuce, and gooey cheese wrapped up and ready to enjoy—right from your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Perfection: Each bite offers that signature golden crunch, made even better when fresh out of your own fryer.
- Ultimate Customize-ability: You get total control over fillings—add extra ranch, more cheese, or spice things up your way.
- Comfort Food, Fast: It’s a flavor-packed snack (or lunch!) that you can whip up quick, yet it tastes anything but basic.
- Nostalgia in Every Bite: This homemade McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap brings all those classic fast-food vibes right to your table, with even fresher, brighter flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap recipe is so approachable, and every single ingredient plays a key role—crunchy chicken, homemade ranch, fresh veggies, and soft tortillas make for pure snacking magic you just can’t beat.
- Chicken tenderloins: Tender, juicy, and perfect for quick cooking, these are the stars of your crispy filling.
- All-purpose flour and cornstarch: The flour gives structure to the coating, while cornstarch ensures an extra-light, craggy crunch.
- Baking powder: A tiny touch for that essential lift and extra crispiness in your chicken coating.
- Seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, mustard powder, onion powder): Each spice helps layer in that classic savory, zesty, and subtly smoky flavor.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and gives the batter a gentle tang.
- Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil for frying to achieve an airy and golden brown crust.
- Mayonnaise, buttermilk, yellow mustard: The creamy, zippy base for your ranch sauce—worlds better than anything bottled.
- Fresh parsley and chives: Just a spoonful of each brightens up your homemade ranch and adds lovely color.
- Flour tortillas: Soft tortillas make the perfect wrap (and hold in all that ranch and gooey cheese!).
- Shredded lettuce: Brings a refreshing, crisp crunch to balance the richness.
- Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, shredded: This duo melts beautifully and brings creamy, melty bliss to every bite.
Variations
One of the best things about the McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap is how endlessly adaptable it is! You can personalize your wraps for different cravings, dietary needs, or what’s in your fridge—don’t be afraid to get creative.
- Spicy Snack Wrap: Add chipotle powder, cayenne, or your favorite hot sauce to the chicken batter or ranch for a little kick.
- Grilled Chicken Version: Skip the frying and grill or sauté your chicken tenderloins for a lighter, just-as-tasty wrap.
- Southwest Style: Toss in black beans, corn, and a squeeze of lime for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Low-Carb Option: Use large lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for all that flavor with fewer carbs.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Mix in pepper jack or colby for extra melt and flavor impact inside your snack wrap.
How to Make McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap
Step 1: Mix Up the Flavorful Ranch Sauce
Start by making your homemade ranch sauce—a true flavor hero for the McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap! Simply whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and the fresh herbs. Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning to your liking. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld (and trust me, this ranch is irresistible!).
Step 2: Prepare the Crispy Chicken Coating
Grab two bowls. In one, mix your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In the second bowl, whisk buttermilk, extra salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Stir 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture into the dry bowl—this creates those crave-worthy, crispy flaky “bits” that cling to the chicken for authentic fast-food texture!
Step 3: Double Dredge for Seriously Crispy Tenders
Here’s the secret: Double coat each chicken tender! Dip first in buttermilk, then roll in flour mixture—then repeat wet and dry again. Shake off the excess each time. Let your coated tenders rest for 10 minutes; this step ensures the batter sticks and gets ultra crunchy in the oil.
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat 1.5–2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep skillet. Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd. Rotate tenders as they cook for even browning. In about 7–8 minutes, you’ll have irresistible, crispy golden tenders ready to go—drain them briefly on paper towels to keep things light.
Step 5: Assemble the Snack Wraps
Lay each tortilla flat, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and (if you wish) pop it in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes so that cheese gets melty. Add a handful of fresh lettuce, then pile on a crispy chicken tender (whole or chopped). Drizzle with homemade ranch, wrap it up tight, and take that first glorious bite—you did it!
Pro Tips for Making McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap
- Double Dip Technique: For the crispiest chicken, don’t skip the double dredge—this is what makes each bite so authentically crackly and satisfying.
- Keep That Oil Hot: Maintain a steady 350°F for the oil—too hot and your coating can brown too fast, too cool and you’ll miss out on that perfect crunch.
- Melted Cheese Magic: Warming the wraps with cheese in the oven adds a seriously gooey, luxurious layer that makes your McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap extra decadent.
- Customize Your Ranch: Play around with the herbs in your ranch—fresh dill or a splash of lemon juice can take your sauce from classic to truly personal.
How to Serve McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap
Garnishes
A final sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives over the top adds a bright, inviting touch—think a little extra crunch of lettuce, a drizzle of ranch, and even a few cracks of fresh black pepper for a bolder flavor. If you’re in the mood, diced tomatoes or thinly sliced scallions also look gorgeous and taste fantastic!
Side Dishes
Classic fries or sweet potato wedges are an obvious match for the McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap, but you can balance out your meal with a crisp coleslaw, corn on the cob, or even a fresh fruit salad to lighten things up. If you want a little extra indulgence, chips and guac also make a fun pairing!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties (or just a treat-yourself night!), slice your wraps into appetizer-sized pinwheels and skewer them with toothpicks. Serve them in a basket lined with parchment, wrap them in wax paper for a picnic vibe, or tuck them in a lunchbox for an at-home “happy meal.” The McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap is made for fun, casual eating—let your presentation reflect that!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra chicken or wraps (lucky you!), store the cooked tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the ranch, cheese, tortillas, and lettuce separate to ensure everything stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy.
Freezing
The fried chicken tenders freeze surprisingly well! Once fully cooled, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer to revive their signature crunch—the wraps themselves are best assembled fresh, though.
Reheating
For that just-fried texture, reheat chicken tenders in a hot oven (375°F) or air fryer until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it makes the coating soft. Once hot, assemble your McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap as usual with fresh veggies and sauce.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins for McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap?
Absolutely! Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips to mimic the tenders. Just be sure to keep the pieces relatively uniform for even cooking and that signature Snack Wrap feel.
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What’s the secret to getting extra crispy chicken in the wrap?
The double dredge (wet-dry-wet-dry) is key! Also, maintaining your oil temperature at 350°F ensures the coating stays light and shatteringly crisp—just like the best McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wraps.
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Can I make the homemade ranch ahead?
Yes! The ranch sauce can be made up to 4 days in advance and actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge as the flavors meld. Store it in a tightly sealed container until ready to use.
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What tortillas work best for this recipe?
Go for soft, fresh flour tortillas—about 8 inches is ideal for true McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap size. You can use whole wheat or low-carb tortillas if you prefer, but classic white flour gives the most authentic texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re as in love with the classic McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap as I am, there’s simply nothing like recreating it from scratch. Every step is fun and totally achievable—and the result is so much fresher, crispier, and more customizable than what you can get out! Give it a try, and let your kitchen be the happiest place on earth tonight.
PrintMcDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Frying
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe recreates McDonald’s Chicken Snack Wrap with crispy fried chicken tenders, flavorful ranch sauce, shredded lettuce, and melted cheese, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- vegetable oil, for frying
RANCH SAUCE
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
OTHER
- flour tortillas
- shredded lettuce
- Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- RANCH SAUCE – In a small bowl, combine mayo, buttermilk, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder to make a ranch sauce.
- CHICKEN – In a shallow bowl, mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients. Coat tenders in wet then dry mix. Fry tenders until golden.
- ASSEMBLY – Warm tortillas with cheese, add lettuce, cheese, chicken, and ranch. Wrap and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg