Fuel Your Week: Delicious & Healthy Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wraps with Bigelow Green Tea
Today, we’re embracing a vibrant, healthy lifestyle by “going green” – not just for St. Patrick’s Day, but for our overall well-being. This week, our featured lunch is the incredibly satisfying and nutritious Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap, perfectly complemented by a soothing cup of Bigelow Green Tea. This delectable combination is the latest addition to my Healthy Week Lunch Series, designed to make your busy weekdays easier and more nourishing.
Powering Up for Triathlon Training with Smart Nutrition
For me, it’s crunch time – triathlon prep is in full swing! My next challenge, the HITS Half Ironman in Ocala, Florida, is just a month away. While I’ll be transitioning to more carb-heavy meals in the coming weeks, for now, my focus is on lean, protein-packed, and nutrient-dense options like this phenomenal wrap. It’s a true lean green machine, perfectly crafted to fuel my body without weighing me down.
This wrap is a powerhouse of healthy ingredients. It features vitamin-loaded and alkalizing arugula greens – a personal favorite, packed with vitamins K and A, and powerful antioxidants. The light ranch dressing not only adds a burst of flavor but also provides a good dose of calcium, essential for strong bones, especially when you’re pushing your body through intense training. And, of course, the chicken delivers a generous amount of lean protein, crucial for muscle repair and satiety. Even the spinach wrap itself contributes to the nutritional profile, boasting 15% of the recommended daily allowance for calcium and 20% for iron. Every component works in harmony to support a healthy, active lifestyle.
The Antioxidant Powerhouse: Why Green Tea is My Daily Essential
And let’s not forget the tea! Green tea, in my opinion, is simply the best. While this post is sponsored, my love for green tea is genuine and longstanding. As I’ve mentioned before, I regularly enjoy green tea at work, complete with a charming little plastic bear filled with honey for a touch of natural sweetness. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the benefits.
For one, green tea offers a far better alternative to the afternoon coffee I might otherwise crave. It provides a gentle, sustained energy boost without the jitters, thanks to its unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine. More importantly, green tea has been extensively studied for its health-boosting properties. It’s known to help boost metabolism, which is a welcome benefit as I navigate my 40s. Additionally, much like the arugula in this wrap, green tea is brimming with powerful antioxidants. These compounds, particularly catechins like EGCG, help protect our cells from damage, supporting youthful vitality and potentially reducing the risk of various chronic diseases. For someone like me, who has been identified as a “dysplasia maker” (meaning pre-melanoma), loading up on all the cancer-preventing antioxidants I can get is not just a preference – it’s a priority. Green tea is a simple, delicious way to incorporate this vital protection into my daily routine.
Supporting Values: Why Bigelow Tea Resonates with Me
Beyond the health benefits, my preference for Bigelow tea also stems from my appreciation for the company itself. Each Bigelow tea bag is thoughtfully designed with the string I deem essential for proper steeping (don’t laugh, these details matter for a perfect cup!). But the real reason I’m such a proponent of Bigelow is their strong values. They are a family-owned, American company, and their unwavering support for our troops deeply resonates with me as an Army veteran.
Through their remarkable “Tea for Troops” program, Bigelow has sent an astounding 4 million bags of tea overseas to service members. This initiative provides a comforting taste of home and a moment of solace to those serving far away, and it speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to community and patriotism. Knowing that I am supporting a brand that actively gives back and honors our military makes every cup of Bigelow tea even more meaningful to me. It’s a small act with a significant impact, fostering a sense of connection and support for those who sacrifice so much.
From Leftovers to Lunchtime Perfection: The Story Behind This Wrap
The inspiration for this incredible wrap emerged from a moment of kitchen creativity and a desire to minimize waste. After preparing my Honey Sriracha Pulled Chicken and Waffles, I found myself with some leftover buttermilk ranch dressing – too good to waste! That’s when the idea for this wrap struck, and I quickly threw it together. The result? Pure deliciousness. Seriously, it’s exceptionally good, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
This wrap perfectly aligns with my philosophy of simple, efficient meal prep. Every week, typically on Sunday, I make it a point to bake a batch of skinless chicken thighs. Having pre-cooked chicken on hand is a game-changer for quick and healthy weekday lunches. I simply grab a portion, gently warm it in the microwave, chop it up, and then combine it with fresh arugula, diced tomatoes, and that fantastic buttermilk ranch dressing in a large spinach wrap. It’s minimal effort for maximum flavor and nutrition, making healthy eating utterly seamless during busy workdays. And as I savor each bite and sip my green tea, I feel completely full, satisfied, and happy, knowing I’ve nourished my body with goodness.
Embracing the Healthy Week Lunch Series: Your Key to Stress-Free Eating
I am a strong advocate for dedicating a little time on Sunday to prepare lunches for the upcoming week. This simple habit drastically simplifies weekday life, reducing stress and ensuring you always have healthy, delicious options readily available. It prevents the last-minute scramble or the temptation of unhealthy takeout. If you’re looking for more ways to streamline your healthy eating, I highly encourage you to explore my other recipes in the Healthy Week Lunch Series. You’ll find a variety of meal prep-friendly ideas to keep your lunches exciting and nutritious.
I’d genuinely love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and share your strategies for keeping your weekday lunches healthy, easy, and enjoyable. Your insights and tips are invaluable to our community.
Buttermilk Ranch Chicken Wrap
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Ingredients
- 2 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- kosher salt
- fresh cracked pepper
- seasoning of choice such as Old Bay or garlic and herb seasoning
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- 5 oz pkg arugula leaves
- 2 large tomatoes seeded and chopped
- 5 large sandwich wraps with spinach
Instructions
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Heat oven to 400F.
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Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Old Bay (or garlic and herb seasoning – just something to give it more flavor). Put the chicken on a rack in a rimmed bake sheet so any fat drips off while baking. Bake 25 minutes or until internal temperature is 165F. Set aside to cool.
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To assemble the wrap: lay a tortilla/wrap on the plate. Separately, warm the chicken (~3-4 oz per wrap) quickly in the microwave. Chop and put on the tortilla. Top with arugula, tomato, and dressing. Wrap it up and enjoy. Yields 5 servings.
Notes
Once cooled, I keep the chicken in a ziploc bag in the fridge if I know it will be consumed within a couple days. Otherwise, I wrap them individually and freeze. Then, the night before, I move one to the fridge to thaw overnight.
Also, the day I bought the chicken for this post, the store had only boneless chicken thighs. I actually prefer bone-in thighs because they are more affordable and they turn out juicier and tastier. Preparation is the same as described above.