Colorful Veggie & Chicken Pinwheels
Elevate your appetizer game with these vibrant Colorful Veggie & Chicken Pinwheels. Bursting with a rainbow of fresh vegetables and flavorful spices, these pinwheels are not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrition! Perfect for gatherings, picnics, or as a wholesome lunch option for kids, they provide a delightful crunch in every bite. Easy to make ahead and serve chilled, they are sure to impress your guests and family alike. Versatile and customizable, feel free to switch up the veggies based on seasonal availability or personal preference.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
celery
1 stalk (diced)
baby carrots
6 (shredded)
red bell pepper
1/4 cup (diced)
yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup (diced)
green bell pepper
1/4 cup (diced)
cherry tomatoes
5 (diced)
jalapeno
1 small (seeded and diced)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded)
salsa
1/3 cup (none)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
cooked chicken
1 (5 ounce) can (well drained)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (none)
oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
garlic pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon (none)
flour tortillas
6 (none)
Instructions
1
Start by finely dicing the celery, red, yellow, and green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeno, ensuring all veggies are cut into very small pieces for even distribution.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced vegetables, shredded cheddar cheese, and salsa. Mix them together thoroughly.
3
Next, blend in the cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
4
Carefully fold in the well-drained cooked chicken, along with the Dijon mustard, oregano, and garlic pepper seasoning. Make sure everything is evenly combined.
5
Lay out one flour tortilla on a clean surface. Spread a generous portion of the chicken and veggie mixture evenly over the tortilla, reaching the edges.
6
Starting from one end, roll the tortilla tightly into a log shape. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
7
Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the roll to firm up.
8
When ready to serve, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and slice each roll into 1-inch thick rounds. Ensure to cut carefully to maintain the beautiful pinwheel shape.
9
Arrange the slices on a serving platter and enjoy your delicious Colorful Veggie & Chicken Pinwheels!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Colorful Veggie & Chicken Pinwheels?
They are a vibrant appetizer featuring a rainbow of fresh vegetables, shredded chicken, and a creamy cheese filling rolled into tortillas and sliced into rounds.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The recipe calls for celery, shredded baby carrots, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and a small jalapeno.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
Vegetables should be finely diced into very small pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the pinwheels.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using one 5-ounce can of cooked chicken that has been well-drained.
What type of cheese is used in the mixture?
The recipe uses a combination of one cup of shredded cheddar cheese and eight ounces of softened cream cheese.
Is the jalapeno in the recipe spicy?
The jalapeno should be seeded and diced finely, which provides flavor with minimal heat; however, you can omit it if you prefer no spice.
What seasonings are added for flavor?
The filling is seasoned with Dijon mustard, dried oregano, and garlic pepper seasoning.
What kind of tortillas work best for pinwheels?
Standard flour tortillas are recommended as they roll easily without cracking.
How many tortillas does this recipe require?
This recipe requires 6 flour tortillas.
How long do the pinwheels need to be refrigerated?
The rolled tortillas should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Why is refrigeration necessary before slicing?
Chilling allows the flavors to meld and helps the cream cheese filling firm up so the rolls maintain their shape when sliced.
How thick should the pinwheel slices be?
It is recommended to slice the rolls into 1-inch thick rounds.
Are these pinwheels suitable for kids?
Yes, they are highly kid-friendly due to their bright colors, mild flavor profile, and bite-sized shape.
Can I customize the vegetable selection?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and you can switch up the veggies based on seasonal availability or your personal preference.
What is the best way to roll the tortillas?
Spread the filling evenly to the edges and roll the tortilla as tightly as possible into a log shape.
Do I need to cook the vegetables first?
No, the vegetables are used raw to provide a fresh, delightful crunch in every bite.
What kind of salsa should I use?
You can use any variety of salsa you prefer, though a standard chunky salsa works well for texture.
How should I store the rolled tortillas in the fridge?
Each rolled tortilla should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out and to maintain their shape.
Can I use fresh chicken instead of canned?
Yes, you can substitute the canned chicken with an equal amount of finely shredded or diced cooked fresh chicken breast.
Is this a healthy snack option?
Yes, they are packed with a variety of fresh vegetables and lean protein, making them a nutritious choice.
Are these pinwheels served hot or cold?
These pinwheels are intended to be served chilled.
What is the preparation for the baby carrots?
The baby carrots should be shredded rather than diced to mix better with the cream cheese.
What if my cream cheese is too hard to mix?
Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before blending it with the other ingredients.
Can these be made ahead of time for a party?
Yes, they are a great make-ahead appetizer; you can keep the logs wrapped in the fridge until you are ready to slice and serve.
How much garlic pepper seasoning is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic pepper seasoning.
Should the salsa be drained?
While not specifically required, using a thick salsa or slightly draining it can help prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
This recipe includes a total of 15 ingredients.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, low-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel can be used as a substitute for regular cream cheese.
How many cherry tomatoes do I need?
You will need 5 diced cherry tomatoes.
What events are these pinwheels suitable for?
They are perfect for gatherings, picnics, school lunches, or as a vibrant party food platter.