Zesty Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
Delight your guests with these Zesty Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels, a perfect blend of seasoned shredded chicken, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs wrapped in flour tortillas. Bursting with flavor, these roll-ups are not only easy to make but also a fantastic option for parties, potlucks, or a family snack. The combination of spicy ancho chile powder and cayenne pepper adds a kick that pairs perfectly with the cool cream cheese and crisp scallions. Serve cold or at room temperature and watch them disappear!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 ½ lbs (seasoned and cooked)
Diced tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) can (drained)
Cream cheese
12 ounces (softened)
Shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese
1 cup (none)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Dried ancho chile powder
3 teaspoons (none)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
Cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon (none)
Garlic salt (preferably Lawry's)
½ teaspoon (none)
Cilantro
¼ cup (chopped)
Scallions
6 (chopped (white and green parts))
Large flour tortillas
6-8 (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by seasoning the boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt, half of the cumin, and 1 teaspoon of the ancho chile powder. Place the chicken in a skillet and add about 1 cup of water, covering it with a lid.
2
Cook the chicken over medium-high heat until it is fully cooked, ensuring you add more water as needed to keep it from drying out.
3
Once cooked, allow the chicken to cool slightly, then use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, drained diced tomatoes, your choice of cheddar or Monterey jack cheese, the remaining cumin, ancho chile powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, chopped cilantro, and scallions. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well-combined.
5
Gently fold in the shredded chicken until the mixture is evenly covered.
6
Lay each large tortilla flat on a clean surface and divide the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each tortilla, spreading it into a thin layer while ensuring the edges remain clean.
7
Carefully roll each tortilla tightly from one end, leaving the ends unsealed. Using a sharp knife, slice each roll into 1-inch thick pieces.
8
Transfer the pinwheels onto a serving platter. (Be aware that the ends may slightly unroll, so enjoy those as a tasty chef's treat!).
9
Cover the platter with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels?
They are a flavorful appetizer made of seasoned shredded chicken, cream cheese, and herbs rolled into flour tortillas and sliced into rounds.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
What is the main protein in these pinwheels?
The main protein is 1.5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Are these pinwheels spicy?
Yes, they have a zesty kick thanks to the addition of ancho chile powder and cayenne pepper.
What kind of tortillas should I use?
The recipe recommends using 6-8 large flour tortillas.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these are a great make-ahead option as they need to be refrigerated before serving.
How do I cook the chicken for this recipe?
Season the chicken with salt, cumin, and ancho chile powder, then cook in a covered skillet with water until fully cooked.
How should I shred the chicken?
Once the chicken has cooled slightly, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
What kind of cheese is used in the filling?
You can use either shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese.
Is cream cheese required for the recipe?
Yes, 12 ounces of softened cream cheese are used to create the creamy base for the filling.
What spices are needed for the seasoning?
The spice blend includes ancho chile powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and garlic salt.
Do I need fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe calls for one minced garlic clove in addition to garlic salt.
Should the diced tomatoes be drained?
Yes, one 10-ounce can of diced tomatoes should be drained before being added to the mixture.
What fresh herbs are included?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro and 6 chopped scallions.
How should the scallions be prepared?
You should chop both the white and green parts of the 6 scallions.
How do I assemble the pinwheels?
Spread the chicken mixture in a thin layer over a flat tortilla, roll it tightly, and slice into 1-inch pieces.
How thick should I slice the tortilla rolls?
The rolls should be sliced into approximately 1-inch thick pieces.
What should I do if the ends of the rolls unroll?
The recipe suggests enjoying those unrolled ends as a tasty chef's treat!
How should I store the pinwheels before serving?
Place them on a platter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Can I serve these warm?
While they can be served at room temperature, they are typically served cold after refrigeration.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
Is there a specific brand of garlic salt recommended?
The recipe suggests using Lawry's garlic salt.
What occasions are these pinwheels best for?
They are perfect for parties, potlucks, family snacks, and as finger food for gatherings.
How do I keep the chicken from drying out while cooking?
Add more water to the skillet as needed while the chicken is simmering under the lid.
Can I use a different type of chile powder?
The recipe specifically calls for dried ancho chile powder for its specific flavor profile.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe that is quick to assemble once the chicken is cooked.
How much cilantro is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro.
Do I need to grease the skillet?
No, the chicken is cooked in water (simmered/poached) rather than fried.
What is the description of the final texture?
The pinwheels are a blend of creamy cheese, seasoned chicken, and crisp scallions wrapped in a soft tortilla.
Can I use corn tortillas?
The recipe specifies large flour tortillas as they are more pliable for rolling into pinwheels.