Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken
April 3, 2026

Kitchen 101: Eating for One – 7 Meals from One $10 Chicken Part 7: Mexican Chicken Wrap (Big Flavour, Zero Waste)

Turn one chicken into a bold Mexican-style wrap with rice, beans, corn and smoky tomato relish. A quick, easy meal that shows how to create multiple dishes from a single cook.
Plated 2 mexican chicken wraps with drunken sailor smokey tomato relish and spice lab mexican blend in background

By now, you can see how this works.

One chicken…
πŸ‘‰ multiple meals
πŸ‘‰ no waste
πŸ‘‰ no boredom

And in Part 6, we change direction again.

This time, Chef Ian turns one portion into a Mexican-style chicken wrap β€” packed with flavour, texture, and just enough indulgence to feel like a proper treat.

Quick to make.
Big on flavour.
πŸ‘‰ And still one more meal to come.

Recipe
  • Dish: Mexican Chicken Wrap
  • Serves: 2 wraps (1–2 serves)
  • Cost per serve: Under $5
  • Time: 15–20 minutes
Ingredients
  • ~100g cooked chicken breast
  • 100g cooked rice
  • 2 wraps
Filling:
To finish:
  • Fresh coriander (chopped)
  • Spring onion (chopped)
  • Lime wedge

πŸ‘‰ Optional:

  • Sour cream
Method
Step 1: Build the Flavour Base
  • Heat a little oil in a pan
  • Add diced onion and Mexican spice blend
  • Cook until softened and fragrant

πŸ‘‰ Chef Tip (IMPORTANT):
Cooking the spice blend in oil releases the natural oils and flavours in the spices.

If you skip this step and just add spices later, you don’t get the same depth β€” they stay flat instead of becoming rich and aromatic.

Step 2: Add the Filling
  • Add corn, tomato, and black beans
  • Cook briefly
Step 3: Add Rice & Chicken
  • Add cooked rice and mix through
  • Add chicken and combine well

πŸ‘‰ Heat through until everything is evenly coated

Step 4: Cool Slightly
  • Remove from heat and let cool slightly

πŸ‘‰ Makes it easier to assemble the wraps

Step 5: Assemble the Wraps
  • Lay wraps flat
  • Spread a spoon of Smokey Tomato Relish in the centre
  • Add half the filling to each wrap
  • Top with shredded cheese
Step 6: Fold & Roll
  • Fold sides in
  • Roll tightly from the base

πŸ‘‰ Keep it neat so it holds together when cooking

Step 7: Cook
  • Place into air fryer at 185Β°C for ~6 minutes
  • Cook until golden and crisp

πŸ‘‰ Oven works just as well if needed

Step 8: Finish & Serve
  • Let cool slightly
  • Slice on an angle
  • Top with:
    • Coriander
    • Spring onion

Serve with:

  • Lime wedge
  • Optional sour cream
Serving Notes

This makes 2 wraps:

  • Enjoy one now
  • Save one for later
  • Or share with a friend

πŸ‘‰ Add a simple green salad for balance

Chef’s Tips
  • Always cook your spice blends in oil first β€” this is how you unlock real flavour
  • Relish works as a ready-made salsa β€” no extra work
  • Let filling cool slightly before wrapping
  • Rolling tight = better result
  • Air fryer gives that crisp finish quickly
  • This is a great β€œcook once, eat twice” meal
Skill Focus
  • Understanding how heat and oil activate spices
  • Building flavour at the start, not fixing it at the end
  • Building flavour in layers
  • Using pantry shortcuts properly
  • Wrapping and finishing techniques
  • Cooking for one with variety
Final Thought from Chef Ian

β€œOnce you start cooking like this…

You realise how much you can get from what you already have.

And we’re still not finished yet.”

Watch the Full Tutorial πŸ‘‰ YouTube Link

πŸ”— Series Navigation