Zesty Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels Recipe for Snack Lovers

Rolled appetizers burst with flavor when you add a delightful chicken cranberry pinwheels recipe to your party menu.

Soft tortillas wrap around a creamy, tangy filling that promises to wow guests at any gathering.

The combination of shredded chicken, tart cranberries, and smooth cream cheese creates an irresistible bite-sized treat.

Delicate and colorful, these pinwheels blend savory and sweet notes in every mouthwatering spiral.

Guests will be impressed by the elegant presentation and bold taste profile.

Each pinwheel delivers a perfect balance of ingredients that dance across your palate.

Get ready to become the star of your next potluck or game day spread with these crowd-pleasing appetizers.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time:

Total Time: 1hr 15min

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 9

Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels Ingredient List

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy richness and helps ingredients stick together, choose full-fat for best texture and flavor.
• Mayonnaise: Adds smooth consistency and tangy depth, select real mayonnaise for authentic taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings zesty kick and helps blend flavors, opt for smooth, high-quality mustard.

• Shredded Chicken: Adds lean protein and hearty substance, use rotisserie or freshly cooked chicken for maximum flavor.
• Feta Cheese: Contributes salty, crumbly element and Mediterranean flair, select creamy, authentic Greek-style feta.

• Celery: Delivers crisp texture and subtle freshness, choose firm, bright green stalks.
• Green Onions: Provides mild onion flavor and color contrast, pick bright green tops with white bottoms.
• Dried Cranberries: Introduces sweet-tart burst and vibrant color, look for plump, soft berries without added sugar.
• Toasted Pecans: Offers nutty crunch and rich undertone, select fresh, golden-brown pecans.

• Flour Tortillas: Creates convenient, rollable base, choose soft, flexible medium-sized tortillas.

• Salt: Enhances overall taste profile, use kosher or sea salt.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle spiciness, freshly ground preferred.

Tools Needed for Making Pinwheels

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring cream cheese mixture without lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping celery, green onions, and pecans.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring spoons: Helps season mixture accurately with salt and pepper.
• Microwave-safe plate: Required for softening tortillas.
• Damp paper towel: Helps tortillas become pliable.
• Plastic wrap: Used for wrapping and chilling rolled tortillas.
• Serving platter: Great for presenting sliced pinwheels.

How to Roll Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels

Culinary Fusion Adventure

• Creamy Flavor Foundation

Blend cream cheese with tangy condiments and herbs to create a luscious spread that will elevate your pinwheel experience. This mixture forms the heart of your appetizer’s character.

• Protein and Texture Harmony

Incorporate succulent shredded chicken with crunchy celery and green onions. Add delightful dried cranberries and toasted pecans for unexpected bursts of flavor and exciting textural contrast.

• Tortilla Transformation

Warm soft tortillas gently to ensure maximum flexibility. This crucial step prevents cracking and allows for smooth, elegant rolling.

• Rolling Technique

Spread the prepared mixture generously across each tortilla, ensuring even coverage. Roll carefully with gentle pressure to create tight, compact cylinders that promise visual appeal and delicious bites.

• Chilling and Serving

Refrigerate rolled pinwheels to help them set and develop deeper flavor profiles. When ready, slice into elegant rounds that showcase the beautiful layers and ingredients within.

Variations to Add to Your Pinwheels

• Swap chicken with leftover turkey or canned tuna for quick protein variations.
• Replace pecans with toasted almonds or sunflower seeds for different nutty dimensions.
• Prepare pinwheels up to 24 hours in advance, storing tightly wrapped in refrigerator for stress-free entertaining.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add minced jalapeños to create a zesty kick for those who enjoy extra heat.
• Use corn tortillas or lettuce wraps instead of flour tortillas to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining delicious taste profile.

Serve Chicken Pinwheels Anytime

• Party Platter Perfect: Arrange these colorful pinwheels on a beautiful wooden board with fresh herbs scattered around for an elegant appetizer that will wow your guests.
• Picnic Snack Delight: Pack these pinwheels in a cool container for a delicious outdoor lunch that's easy to transport and guaranteed to satisfy hunger during park or beach adventures.
• Cocktail Hour Star: Serve these bite-sized rolls alongside chilled white wine or sparkling mocktails for a sophisticated gathering that feels both casual and classy.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Cut the pinwheels into smaller bite-sized pieces and watch them disappear quickly during sports watching parties or family game nights with friends.

Pinwheel Storage Advice

• Fridge Fresh Storage Strategy: Wrap these delightful pinwheels tightly in plastic wrap to maintain their shape and prevent moisture loss. They'll stay delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator's main compartment.
• Advance Prep Magic: Create these rolls up to 24 hours before your event, allowing flavors to meld and develop a richer taste profile. Chilling enhances the blend of cream cheese and cranberry notes.
• Quick Lunch Companion: Pack individual slices in small containers for hassle-free work or school lunches. They're compact, neat, and perfect for on-the-go eating without messy preparation.
• Freezer Friendly Hack: Layer pinwheel slices between parchment paper in an airtight container. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for a convenient make-ahead snack or appetizer that maintains excellent texture and taste.

Tantalizing Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1hr 15min
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Savory chicken cranberry pinwheels deliver a delightful blend of flavors from zesty herbs and tangy cranberries. Simple ingredients create an elegant appetizer perfect for gatherings or quick snacks you’ll want to share with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• ⅔ cup (100 g) dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) crumbled feta cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped toasted pecans
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 green onions, sliced
• ¼ cup (40 g) finely chopped celery
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 large flour tortillas

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Instructions

1. Blend Filling: Whisk cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard until smooth, creating a unified creamy base that will bind all ingredients cohesively.
2. Incorporate Ingredients: Fold shredded chicken, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and feta cheese into the mixture, ensuring even distribution for balanced flavor in every bite.
3. Season Mixture: Sprinkle salt and black pepper, carefully adjusting seasoning to enhance the overall taste profile without overwhelming delicate ingredients.
4. Prepare Tortillas: Gently warm tortillas in microwave, covering with a damp cloth to maintain flexibility and prevent cracking during rolling process.
5. Assemble Pinwheels: Spread filling evenly across tortillas, leaving minimal border, then tightly roll into compact cylinders, applying consistent pressure to create uniform shape.
6. Chill and Set: Wrap rolls in plastic film and refrigerate for one hour, allowing flavors to meld and facilitating clean, precise slicing.
7. Serve: Unwrap chilled rolls and slice into one-inch medallions, arranging artfully on serving platter to showcase vibrant ingredients and create an appealing presentation.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate rolls for at least an hour to allow ingredients to blend and develop richer, more complex taste profiles.
• Perfect Rolling Technique: Use gentle, consistent pressure when rolling tortillas to create tight, compact pinwheels that hold together beautifully.
• Moisture Management: Cover tortillas with a damp cloth during warming to prevent drying and enhance flexibility for easier rolling.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife and clean cuts to create uniform one-inch medallions that showcase the colorful ingredient layers.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg