Craving one of Red's excellent wraps? This Red Robin Whiskey River Barbecue Chicken Wraps imitation recipe is tasty, easy, and takes about 25 minutes to make!
We just recently remade these and updated the photos! Good news - they're still as good as they were back at the beginning of 2013!
As regular Catz readers know, Chels and I love to imitate meals we enjoy when eating out. Oftentimes, that means imitating Chevy's or California Pizza Kitchen, a couple of the casual dining establishments nearby that our whole family can enjoy, but the menu at Red Robin is another one that we enjoy reverse engineering from on occasion. Most people are familiar with Red's excellent burger menu, due to their national presence, but have you ever taken the time to look at their chicken entrees? If you have, one item undoubtedly caught your eye - the Whiskey River Barbecue Chicken Wrap. If you've never tried it, order it the next time you're at Red Robin - you won't be sorry!
In the meantime, though, we've been working on an imitation to share with you, and, if I may say so myself, it's pretty dead on. We didn't try to recreate Red's Whiskey River Barbecue Sauce - that's some secret recipe of theirs, and while it's very tasty, we've been just as happy using whatever good quality barbecue sauce we happen to have stocked in the fridge. This was probably one of the easier "imitation" recipes that Chels and I have ever done, and now we make it all the time!
The key "barbecue" element of these wraps is the barbecue sauce, so if you're not in a position to grill the chicken, it's not the end of the world. That being said, however, if you can, do it. The last couple of times we've made these for dinner, we've marinated the chicken breast in barbecue sauce for at least two hours and then grilled it over charcoal while basting it with additional barbecue sauce. I like to get a good, dark sear on the chicken breast first over direct heat to really caramelize the barbecue sauce, and then let it cook through over indirect heat so that it stays nice and moist inside. Serve with chips, or, better yet, serve them Red Robin style - with steak fries!
The hardest part of this meal? Learning how to properly roll a wrap (at least, if you've never done it before!). I learned several years ago from the back of a package of Mission wraps. If you don't have Mission wraps available, here's the snapshot that taught me!
Barbecue Chicken Wraps
Craving one of Red's excellent BBQ chicken wraps, but lack the cash or time to get one? Solution!
Ingredients
- One bottle of barbecue sauce
- One boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Half head chopped green leaf or iceberg lettuce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (Tillamook!)
- 4 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 1 cup tri-color tortilla strips
- 4 spinach wraps
Instructions
- Optional step for additional flavor: marinate chicken breast in barbecue sauce for 2-3 hours prior to grilling.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken breast until cooked through, basting with additional barbecue sauce while cooking.
- Chop chicken breast into small pieces.
- Heat wraps one at a time on a skillet over medium heat for about ten seconds.
- Remove wraps to prep surface, spread 1 tablespoon of ranch and 1-2 tablespoon of barbecue sauce on the wrap, top with one quarter of chicken, one quarter of cheese, one quarter of tortilla strips, and one quarter of lettuce.
- Roll up wrap, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 721mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 5gSugar: 6gProtein: 21g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Anonymous says
So I was searching for copy cat recipes for Red Robins whiskey river chicken wrap and came across your recipe. This was last week. This recipe is so similar and so DELISH that I have already made twice!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
http://www.mytruebloodandamericanhorrorstoryblog.wordpress.com
Chels/Catz in the Kitchen says
Thank you so much for commenting and telling me that you enjoyed it! This is one of our favorite wraps too! In fact, I should put it on the weekly menu for next week! Thanks for stopping by!
SweetRevenge8408 says
OMG! I am SO glad I found this post. I absolutely LOVE their BBQ wrap. It's the only thing I will order from there(I don't eat beef or seafood). The only thing I did differently was add a bit of tomato. Cest' bon! I had THE HARDEST time rolling it, so I gave up and just ate it. lol I will def be making more of these.
http://sweetrevenge8408.blogspot.com/
Chels/Catz in the Kitchen says
The wrapping takes a little bit of practice.We always use toothpicks to keep them rolled up and in place. Try that and let me know if that helps. :)
Amanda says
Trying tonight!!
Chels/Catz in the Kitchen says
I can't wait to hear how they turned out!
Jenn says
Where can one get the colored tortilla strips? Love the BBQ chicken wrap so trying this recipe (less expensive than going to the restaurant. (and I won't eat all the fries- love them too)
Chelsia Rief says
I found the strips in the produce section in our grocery store where they keep the sesame seeds and some croutons in bags. I shop at Fred Meyer - which is owned by Kroger and for me, I always find them on the opposite side across from the apples and whatever produce is on sale and display in the front. At least that's how it is set up in my store. I hope that helps a little bit and that you enjoy the recipe as much as we do! :)
Sandra says
Fresh market, any store-health food, Kroger
Nancy says
have you ever made them with cabbage/slaw instead of lettuce? just wonder if that would make it taste off.
Chelsia Rief says
I've never tried them like that, but I would bet it would be good! :)
Chris says
These were amazing, a hit with everyone. Cooked my chicken in barbecue sauce in my instant pot. Then just put it on my grill pan for a couple minutes with extra barbecue sauce. Definitely saving this one! Love your weekly menus also.
Chelsia Rief says
Hi Chris,
That's a great idea with the instant pot! I'm so glad you liked the wraps - they're always a hit here too! So glad you find the weekly menu helpful! That made my day :)
JoAnn says
Yummy, I made just one, That is what I get at red Robin and it tasted the exact same. Will definitely be making these again
Joshua Rief says
So glad to hear it! I can't tell you how many times we've made this recipe. It's so easy and so yummy!
Kristen says
I made these last night because I really wanted one and haven't been to Red Robin in ages. I didn't figure my kids would be interested but on occassion i try to make things that *I* want no matter how others feel about them. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, they were a hit all around!
Chelsia Rief says
Kristen, this is amazing! I'm so glad this was an unexpected hit for you family! It's been ages since we've been to a Red Robin too. We usually only go about once a year. I'm going to have to put these wraps on my menu soon because now I'm craving them!