If you’re on the keto diet, there’s a good chance you’ve been on the hunt for recipes that are both tasty and low-carb. That can feel like a bit of a balancing act—especially when the cravings hit for something hearty, like a sandwich or wrap. Enter: Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps. These wraps are a total game-changer. Packed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch dressing, all bundled up in crunchy lettuce, they’ll leave you satisfied without wrecking your carb count.
This recipe has got all the flavors of a classic sandwich, but without the bread that’s normally a dealbreaker on keto. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for a busy weekday lunch or even dinner when you want something filling but not heavy. Plus, it’s loaded with healthy fats and protein, making it an ideal fit for the ketogenic lifestyle. Let’s jump into this deliciously low-carb, high-flavor meal!
Ingredients Breakdown Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps
Let’s start by gathering everything you need. Here’s a list of simple ingredients for Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps, but don’t worry—they’re probably already in your kitchen or easily picked up from your local grocery store:
What You’ll Need:
- 1 pound of chicken breasts or thighs (grilled, shredded, or chopped)
- 6-8 strips of cooked bacon
- 1 head of Romaine or butter lettuce (this will be your “wrap”)
- 1/2 cup of ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought, keto-friendly)
- 1 medium avocado (sliced)
- 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Cherry tomatoes (halved, optional for keto but can slightly raise carb count)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Homemade Keto Ranch Dressing (if you want to go the extra mile):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (to thin out if needed)
Prepping the Ingredients
Before we jump into assembling these wraps, we need to prep a few things. Prepping is key to quick assembly when it’s finally chow-time!
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- You can grill, sauté, or bake your chicken—just make sure it’s cooked through and seasoned well with salt and pepper. A pinch of garlic powder or paprika wouldn’t hurt either!
- Once cooked, shred or chop your chicken. I prefer to grill mine with a simple rub of olive oil, salt, and pepper. The grilling adds a nice smoky flavor, which pairs perfectly with the bacon.
Step 2: Fry the Bacon
- Fry the bacon until it’s crispy. I usually throw mine in the oven at 400°F on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 15 minutes. Easy cleanup, and no grease splatter on the stovetop.
- Once done, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.
Step 3: Prep the Lettuce
- Wash and dry your lettuce leaves. Romaine or butter lettuce works great for this recipe because they hold up well to the fillings without tearing. Just peel off each leaf, pat them dry, and get them ready for stuffing.
Step 4: Slice the Avocado
- Slice your avocado right before assembling, so it stays fresh. Avocado gives that creamy richness and packs healthy fats, making it perfect for keto.
How to Assemble Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps
Now that you’ve prepped everything, it’s time for the fun part—putting these babies together!
Step 1: Start with Your Lettuce Wrap
- Take a few lettuce leaves and stack them together. The key here is to layer 2-3 leaves to make sure the wrap holds up. Single leaves might tear, especially once filled with chicken and bacon.
Step 2: Add the Chicken
- Spoon a generous amount of your shredded or chopped chicken onto the lettuce. This is your protein base. Don’t be shy with it—chicken is filling and loaded with the protein you need to keep you going through the day.
Step 3: Lay on the Bacon
- Break your crispy bacon slices in half and lay them over the chicken. This part might make your mouth water. The smoky bacon combined with chicken is a match made in low-carb heaven.
Step 4: Add the Avocado
- Next, layer a few slices of avocado on top of the bacon. The creaminess of the avocado cuts through the richness of the bacon and adds a buttery texture that’s simply divine.
Step 5: Drizzle with Ranch Dressing
- Drizzle your ranch dressing generously over the chicken, bacon, and avocado. Whether you use homemade ranch or a store-bought keto-friendly option, this step brings everything together. It’s creamy, tangy, and full of flavor—basically the glue that makes each bite magical.
Step 6: Sprinkle with Cheese and Tomatoes (Optional)
- This step is optional depending on how strict you are with your keto. Shredded cheddar adds extra flavor and texture, but you can skip it if you’re keeping carbs ultra-low. Cherry tomatoes also add a pop of freshness but should be used sparingly as they do contain some carbs.
Step 7: Roll It Up
- Carefully fold the sides of the lettuce over the fillings and roll it up like a burrito. If you want to be extra secure, you can even wrap the whole thing in parchment paper to help hold it together while you eat.
Tips for Making the Best Keto Lettuce Wraps
While this recipe is pretty straightforward, a few tricks can help make these wraps even better.
1. Choose the Right Lettuce
Lettuce can be tricky. If you pick leaves that are too flimsy, they’ll rip and turn this into a messy meal. Romaine hearts are great because they’re sturdy and have a crunch. Butter lettuce, on the other hand, is softer but holds together surprisingly well. Avoid iceberg lettuce—it’s not strong enough for this wrap.
2. Prep Ahead of Time
If you’re meal-prepping for the week, cook your chicken and bacon in bulk. Store them separately in the fridge, and when hunger strikes, assembling the wraps will take minutes. Just slice the avocado fresh when you’re ready to eat.
3. Don’t Overfill
It’s tempting to stuff these wraps to the brim, but too much filling will make it hard to roll up, and things might fall apart. Less is more here—go for balance rather than quantity.
4. Store-Bought vs. Homemade Ranch Dressing
If you’re short on time, store-bought keto-friendly ranch dressings are convenient. Just make sure to read the labels and look for dressings with zero sugar and low carbs. However, homemade ranch is super simple to make, and you can adjust the flavors to your liking. Plus, you can skip all the preservatives found in most bottled dressings.
Why Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps Are a Keto Win
Let’s break down why these wraps are keto gold. The ketogenic diet relies on high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbs to shift your body into fat-burning mode. These wraps hit all the right notes:
- High in Healthy Fats: With avocado, bacon, and ranch dressing, these wraps are loaded with healthy fats, which are essential on keto to keep you full and energized.
- Protein-Packed: Chicken and bacon provide a solid dose of protein, helping to maintain muscle mass and keep you satisfied between meals.
- Low in Carbs: By swapping out traditional tortillas or bread for lettuce wraps, you cut down on carbs significantly. Lettuce adds crunch without loading up on net carbs, making it the perfect vehicle for this filling combo.
- Gluten-Free: Since there’s no bread involved, these wraps are naturally gluten-free, which is great if you’re avoiding gluten for dietary reasons.
Meal Prep & Storage
One of the best things about Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps is how easy they are to prepare ahead of time. Here are some tips to keep your wraps fresh and ready for meals throughout the week:
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Cook the Chicken and Bacon Ahead: Make a batch of chicken and bacon at the start of the week, and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, just reheat the chicken and assemble the wrap.
- Storing: If you’re prepping these for work or on-the-go meals, you can keep all the components in separate containers and assemble them right before you eat. That way, the lettuce stays crisp, and the avocado won’t brown.
- Don’t Freeze: Lettuce wraps don’t freeze well because the lettuce wilts and turns soggy when thawed. Stick to storing them in the fridge for up to 3 days for the best freshness.
Customizing the Recipe
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Here are a few ways you can tweak it to suit your tastes:
- Spice It Up: Add some heat by mixing a little hot sauce into your ranch dressing or sprinkling in some chili flakes.
- Different Protein: No chicken? No problem. Swap in leftover rotisserie chicken, turkey, or even grilled shrimp.
- Add Veggies: Sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, or even pickles can add extra crunch and flavor without adding many carbs.
- Swap the Cheese: You could use blue cheese or feta for a more tangy flavor if you’re tired of cheddar.
Conclusion
Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps are a game-changer. Not only are they perfect for keto dieters, but they’re also simple, delicious, and easily customizable. Whether you’re meal-prepping or need a quick low-carb lunch, these wraps hit the spot every time. They’re a satisfying mix of savory chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and tangy ranch—all wrapped up in crunchy, fresh lettuce.
Give them a try, and you’ll see why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your weekly meal rotation!
PrintKeto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps Recipe
These Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Lettuce Wraps are a simple and delicious low-carb meal. Filled with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and wrapped in fresh lettuce, they’re the perfect option for a quick lunch or dinner on the keto diet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Assembling, Grilling, Frying
- Cuisine: American, Keto, Low-Carb
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs (cooked and shredded/chopped)
- 6–8 strips of cooked bacon
- 1 head of Romaine or butter lettuce (whole leaves for wrapping)
- 1/2 cup keto-friendly ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 medium avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional:
- Cherry tomatoes (halved, optional due to carbs)
- Additional seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, etc.)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season and grill, sauté, or bake the chicken until fully cooked. Once done, shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Bacon: Fry or bake the bacon until crispy. Drain excess grease on paper towels.
- Prepare Lettuce: Wash and dry lettuce leaves, making sure to use 2-3 stacked leaves for each wrap to prevent tearing.
- Assemble Wraps: Place shredded chicken on a lettuce leaf. Top with bacon slices, avocado, and cheese (if using). Drizzle ranch dressing over the top.
- Wrap and Serve: Fold the lettuce leaves around the filling like a burrito. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For meal prep: Store components separately and assemble wraps just before eating to keep lettuce fresh.
- Use sturdy lettuce like Romaine hearts for easier wrapping.
- Optional veggies like cherry tomatoes can slightly increase the carb count.
Please note: The recipe or ingredients shown in the video might vary slightly from what’s listed here. Use the video as an illustration, but for the best results, stick to the recipe provided in this article.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap (based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 80mg