The simplest chicken marinade, creamy mayo, crunchy lettuce and a fiery homemade chilli sauce – all wrapped up in 20 minutes.
You planned the week. You did the shop. But then dinnertime rolls around and … you’re just not feeling it. You need something easy. Something everyone will eat. Something that feels a bit like takeaway – without the cost, the effort or the soggy fries.
If you’re a fan of Oporto (an Australian fast-food chain known for its spicy Bondi Burgers), you’re going to love this homemade Portuguese-style Chilli Chicken Wrap. It’s got all the good stuff – juicy chicken, crunchy lettuce, creamy mayo, melty gouda, and a signature Portuguese-inspired chilli sauce that comes together in minutes.
The secret ingredient? Ginger. It adds a subtle kick and depth of flavour – but you can skip it completely for little eaters. The whole thing is spicy, saucy, cheesy and fast. It’s a 20-minute dinner that works just as well on a low-energy weeknight as it does for a Friday-night fakeaway that actually fits the budget.
You can prep it ahead, stash it in the freezer, and still feel like a dinner magician midweek. It’s wildly customisable – swap the cheese, the wrap, the greens – and just spicy enough to keep it interesting without blowing anyone’s head off.
I always double the batch so we’ve got lunch sorted the next day, including school lunchboxes! One cook, two meals, one less thing to think about. Basically, it’s a wrap night glow-up.
What’s the best wrap to use?
I used pita bread and highly recommend it – it holds everything together beautifully and adds a bit of chew. But whatever you’ve got will work: flour tortillas, wholemeal (wholewheat) wraps, low-carb wraps, gluten-free wraps or even flatbread.
What cheese can I use instead of gouda?
Any melty cheese will do – tasty cheddar, Swiss, provolone, even mozzarella. Or leave it out entirely if you want to make it dairy-free (just double-check the mayo you are using is definitely dairy-free).
Watch how to make Portuguese-style Chilli Chicken Wrap
If you enjoyed Portuguese-style Chilli Chicken Wrap, I think you’ll love:
Portuguese Chicken Burger
Butterflied Portuguese Chicken
Peri Peri Style Chicken Burgers
Hot Honey Crunch Chicken Burger
Lemon and Oregano Chicken Tzatziki Wrap
Portuguese-style Chilli Chicken Wrap
A quick, budget-friendly wrap night that feels like takeaway but comes together in 20 minutes. Juicy spiced chicken, creamy mayo, melty cheese and a bold Portuguese-style chilli sauce make it crave-worthy – with customisable heat levels for the whole family. Perfect for Friday fakeaways, lazy weeknights or next-day lunchbox wins.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 wraps 1x
Ingredients
PORTUGUESE-STYLE CHICKEN
- 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make thin schnitzels about 5 mm–1 cm (1/4–1/2 inch) thick
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
PORTUGUESE-STYLE CHILLI SAUCE
- ½ cup (125 g) chilli paste (Italian chilli paste, sambal oelek)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp freshly minced garlic
- ½ tsp freshly minced ginger
- ½ tsp caster (superfine) sugar
- Sea salt flakes, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
TO SERVE
- 4 pita bread wraps (or any wraps you prefer, see note 1)
- ⅓ cup (90 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
- 4 slices gouda (can be substituted with any melty cheese, see note 2, or left off completely for a dairy-free option, but ensure the mayo you use is also dairy-free)
- 2 cups (140 g) finely shredded iceberg lettuce
- Air-fryer chips (fries), oven fries or freezer fries (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken – In a large bowl, combine the chicken with the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat.
- Cook the chicken –
Stovetop: Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Cook the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through.
Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Cook in a single layer for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway.
Barbecue: Cook for 2–3 minutes per side over medium–high heat. - Make the chilli sauce – Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir well to combine.
- Assemble – Warm the wraps in a dry frying pan or in the microwave for a few seconds. Place a dollop of mayonnaise on each wrap followed by a slice of gouda. Top with the hot chicken to melt the cheese slightly. Add the shredded lettuce, a generous drizzle of the chilli sauce and some extra mayo. Roll up and serve immediately with fries on the side, if desired.
Notes
Note 1 – I used pita bread and highly recommend it, but you can also use flour tortillas, wholemeal (wholewheat) wraps, low-carb wraps, gluten-free wraps or even flatbread.
Note 2 – Any melty cheese will do – tasty cheddar, Swiss, provolone, even mozzarella. Or leave it out entirely if you want to make it dairy-free (just check that the mayo you are using is also dairy-free).
Make Ahead
- Marinated chicken – Can be refrigerated up to its expiry date, or frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container or reusable sandwich bag. Thaw completely overnight in the fridge for best results.
- Cooked chicken – Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month in an airtight container or reusable sandwich bag. Microwave from refrigerated or frozen in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
- Chilli sauce – Can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Allow to come to room temperature before serving (oil will solidify). Freeze in an ice-cube tray or small container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and stir well before using.
Leftovers
Assembled wraps are best eaten immediately, see make ahead instructions above for leftover cooked chicken and chilli sauce and for freezing instructions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Chicken, Lunch, Fakeaway
- Method: Stovetop, Air Fryer, BBQ
- Cuisine: Portuguese-inspired, Aussie fakeaway
