About This Recipe
These 5-ingredient keto Caprese chicken collard wraps deliver fresh, zesty flavor in minutes. Pesto-tossed chicken, creamy mozzarella, and juicy tomato get bundled in crisp, blanched collard leaves for a portable, low-carb lunch that holds together beautifully and tastes like summer any time of year.
Ingredients
- 4 large collard green leaves, stems trimmed
- 12 oz cooked chicken thighs, chopped or shredded
- 1/2 cup sugar-free basil pesto
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for crisping)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a wide pan of salted water to a simmer. Blanch collard leaves for 20–30 seconds until vibrant, then transfer to an ice bath. Pat dry thoroughly and shave down the thickest part of the stem so the leaf folds easily.
- Toss the chopped chicken with sugar-free pesto until well coated; season to taste.
- Lay one collard leaf vein-side up. On the lower third, layer mozzarella and tomato. Spoon a line of pesto chicken over the top and lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Fold the sides in, then roll up tightly from the bottom like a burrito. Repeat with remaining leaves.
- Optional crisp: Warm a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place wraps seam-side down and cook 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Slice in half and serve with a squeeze of lemon and an extra spoon of pesto if you like.
Keto Focus
Collard greens replace tortillas to slash carbs while staying sturdy for handheld wraps. Using sugar-free pesto avoids hidden sugars, and the combo of chicken, olive oil, and mozzarella delivers satisfying fats and protein with about 6g net carbs per serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 540
- Protein: 33g
- Fat: 41g
- Total Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 6g
Tips & Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken for speed or swap in grilled chicken breast for a leaner option.
- Extra veg: Add a handful of baby spinach or a few sliced cucumbers for crunch without many carbs.
- Dairy-free: Skip mozzarella and add sliced avocado plus extra pesto.
- Stricter keto: Omit tomato or use just a few thin slices to reduce carbs further.
- Make-ahead: Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 2 days; crisp in a skillet just before serving for best texture.
- Serving idea: Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon and olive oil.