The buffalo chicken wrap at Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a popular menu item that packs a spicy punch. This wrap features grilled chicken, buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, and ranch or blue cheese dressing, all wrapped up in a tomato-basil tortilla. Customers love the combination of spicy buffalo sauce and cool, creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. The grilled chicken provides protein, while the lettuce and tomato add freshness. The cheddar cheese gives the wrap a delicious, melty flavor. This wrap satisfies cravings for buffalo wings but in a lighter, easier-to-eat format. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what ingredients can be found in this flavorful Tropical Smoothie buffalo chicken wrap.
Grilled Chicken
The star of the buffalo chicken wrap is the grilled chicken. Tropical Smoothie uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this wrap. The chicken is seasoned and grilled until cooked through and juicy. Grilled chicken provides a healthier alternative to fried chicken, since it has less fat and calories. The grilling process gives the chicken a nice char and smoky flavor. The chicken breast meat is an excellent source of lean protein. Each wrap contains between 3 to 4 ounces of grilled chicken. The chicken breast is chopped or shredded before being tossed in buffalo sauce to make it easier to eat in wrap form. The grilled chicken gives you energy and helps you feel full and satisfied after eating the wrap.
Buffalo Sauce
No buffalo chicken wrap would be complete without tangy, spicy buffalo sauce. The buffalo sauce is what gives this wrap its signature bold flavor. Tropical Smoothie makes their buffalo sauce in-house. It likely contains hot sauce or hot pepper, distilled vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and butter or margarine. After grilling, the chopped chicken is tossed in the zesty buffalo sauce so it absorbs maximum flavor. The sauce adds a creamy, buttery element, while also providing a substantial kick of heat. The spiciness comes from hot peppers and sauces like Frank’s RedHot or Tabasco. The buffalo sauce is essential for making this a mouthwatering, irresistible wrap.
Lettuce
Cool, crispy lettuce balances the spicy chicken and savory flavors in this wrap. Tropical Smoothie uses a lettuce blend containing shredded iceberg and shredded romaine lettuce. The lettuce provides hydration and crunch with each bite. Lettuce is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy, while vitamin C boosts immunity and vitamin K aids blood clotting. The water content in lettuce also makes this wrap more filling. The lettuce helps cut through the rich flavors and prevents the wrap from feeling too heavy or greasy.
Tomatoes
Juicy tomato slices add freshness and texture to the buffalo chicken wrap. Ripe, red tomato works well with all the other ingredients. Tomatoes provide moisture and make the wrap taste fresher. Tomatoes contain potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation and lower cancer risks. The tomatoes in the wrap provide nutrients and more volume so you feel satisfied until your next meal.
Cheddar Cheese
Melty cheddar cheese perfectly complements the chicken, buffalo sauce, and other ingredients in this wrap. Tropical Smoothie likely uses real shredded cheddar cheese rather than cheese sauce or product. The cheddar cheese contributes a creamy, rich flavor. As the cheese melts from the heat of the filling, it brings everything together, enhancing the taste of each bite. The cheese also adds protein and calcium. The calcium strengthens bones, muscles, heart health, and more. Overall, the cheddar cheese gives the wrap a delicious cheesy texture.
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing
No buffalo chicken dish feels complete without ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. The Tropical Smoothie buffalo chicken wrap allows you to choose between zesty ranch or chunky blue cheese dressing. The cool, creamy ranch perfectly balances out the spicy heat of the buffalo sauce. The thick, pungent blue cheese dressing pairs well with the chicken. Either dressing option adds flavor, moisture, and a cooling contrast to the wrap. The wrap contains around 1-2 tablespoons of the dressing. Both ranch and blue cheese dressing contain dairy ingredients like buttermilk, sour cream, and cream cheese or blue cheese crumbles. They provide additional fat and calories to make the wrap more filling.
Tomato-Basil Tortilla
All the ingredients are wrapped up in a tomato-basil tortilla for maximum flavor. The tortilla shell contributes carbohydrates, fiber, and wheat nutrients like iron, magnesium and selenium. The tomato and basil seasoning provides Italian herbs and spices that enhance the flavor of the wrap without overpowering the other ingredients. This seasoned tortilla also gives the wrap more color and visual appeal. The tortilla holds everything together nicely without falling apart. It is likely steamed before assembling the wrap so it is soft and pliable enough to wrap easily around the filling.
Nutrition Information
The buffalo chicken wrap from Tropical Smoothie contains a nutritious balance of protein, carbs, and fat to keep you energized. Here is the approximate nutrition information for a regular Tropical Smoothie buffalo chicken wrap:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 590 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 69g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 8g |
| Protein | 30g |
As you can see, the wrap provides a good amount of protein from the chicken and cheese. It also contains some fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables and tortilla. However, it is high in sodium, saturated fat, and calories, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. The buffalo chicken wrap makes a tasty portable meal or snack when you need food on the go.
Customization Options
One great thing about Tropical Smoothie is you can customize your buffalo chicken wrap to suit your preferences. Here are some ways you can modify this wrap:
– Make it low-carb by wrapping it in lettuce leaves instead of a tortilla
– Skip the cheese if you are limiting dairy
– Ask for extra tomatoes, lettuce, or onions for more veggies
– Add avocado for healthy fat and creaminess
– Try BBQ sauce instead of buffalo sauce for a sweeter, smokier flavor
– Use plain or Greek yogurt instead of ranch or blue cheese dressing
– Add jalapenos for even more heat
– Swap the chicken for grilled shrimp for a seafood twist
– Ask for gluten-free tortilla for a gluten-sensitive diet
– Double up on protein with extra chicken or bacon
– Top it with crunchy potato sticks for extra texture
So feel free to get creative and tailor your buffalo chicken wrap exactly how you like it! Tropical Smoothie’s customization allows you to satisfy any craving.
Tips for Recreating at Home
The buffalo chicken wrap from Tropical Smoothie makes for an easy, delicious meal you can also make at home. Here are some tips for recreating this recipe:
– Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or quickly sauté chicken breast chunks
– Make your own buffalo sauce by mixing hot sauce with melted butter, ranch, and seasonings
– Let sauce and chicken chill in fridge so flavors can blend
– Chop romaine lettuce and tomatoes
– Shred cheddar cheese or use crumbles for better melting
– Spread ranch or blue cheese dressing on tortilla first
– Microwave or grill tortilla so it is warm and pliable for wrapping
– Assemble wrap with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and drizzle of buffalo sauce
With these simple steps, you can enjoy this mouthwatering wrap right from your own kitchen. It makes for a great game day recipe, weeknight dinner, or meal prep lunch. Adjust the ingredients based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. The buffalo chicken wrap is easy to recreate at home for a fraction of the takeout cost.
Where to Buy
You can visit any Tropical Smoothie Cafe location to order the buffalo chicken wrap. This specialty wrap is featured on their menu of sandwiches, wraps, and flatbreads. There are over 900 Tropical Smoothie Cafe stores throughout the United States. You can find your closest location and view their hours of operation on the store locator page of their website. Most locations are open daily from 7am to 9pm, though hours can vary. When dining inside, you order at the counter then have a seat and your food is brought out to your table. For takeout, you order ahead online or by phone, then pick up your wrap at the designated time. The buffalo chicken wrap typically costs around $8-9, depending on location. Tropical Smoothie also offers delivery through third-party apps and services. So next time a buffalo chicken wrap craving strikes, head to Tropical Smoothie Cafe for a filling and flavorful meal.
Conclusion
The buffalo chicken wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers the perfect blend of spicy, creamy, and crunchy textures. This popular wrap features grilled chicken, zesty buffalo sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, and dressing wrapped up in a tomato-basil tortilla. The combination of hot buffalo flavor and cool, creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing makes this wrap incredibly crave-worthy. While it is high in sodium, fat, and calories, it can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation. Customizing your wrap allows you to adapt it to your personal dietary needs and preferences. Stop by any Tropical Smoothie location or recreate this recipe at home for a convenient meal that will satisfy your buffalo chicken cravings. So next time hunger strikes, this wrap makes for a mouthwatering, filling choice.
