Grab a rotisserie chicken and throw together an appetizer fast. My Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels are easy to make, require very few ingredients and will be a party favorite.
Why This Recipe
The perfect party protein. These pinwheels are a super handy no-mess protein your guests can pick up with their hands without getting messy. They are two-bite finger food servings that pack in the flavor.
Quick and Easy. You can throw these together very last minute using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and a handful of store-bought ingredients. Unlike most appetizers, this is not a fancy process.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
Preparing a batch of this tasty buffalo chicken appetizer is as easy as mixing ingredients, spreading them on a tortilla, and rolling it all up together. Throw together a huge plateful of buffalo chicken pinwheels in no time.
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
Cooked Chicken. It's so easy just to grab a rotisserie chicken at the store, pull all the chicken off the bones, and dice it up for this recipe. If you already have pulled chicken in your refrigerator or freezer, that works too. Should you want to make your own, you can toss several chicken breasts or thighs in your Instant Pot, pressure cook it on high for 25 minutes or so and then shred it with a hand mixer.
Cream Cheese.
Ranch Dressing.
Hot Sauce. The traditional buffalo sauce is made with Frank's Red Hot, but you can use the hot sauce of your choice.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Use your favorite! I tend toward sharp cheddar or extra sharp cheddar just because the flavor is more intense so it doesn't get swallowed up by the hot sauce.
Large Flour Tortillas.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Mix together chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing and hot sauce in a large bowl until blended.
- Place one tortilla on a cutting board or cookie sheet.
- Spread ¼ cup of chicken mixture onto tortilla. Spread to edges of tortilla using a butter knife or spatula.
- Sprinkle with about 3 tablespoons of cheddar cheese.
- Roll up tortilla beginning on one end.
- Repeat for remaining tortillas.
- Slice into 1" pinwheels.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Equipment Needed
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
If you are having trouble rolling the tortillas without breakage, you can heat each one briefly on a skillet for a few seconds, or microwave the stack for thirty seconds or so with a wet paper towel covering them. You don't want to get them too warm, just a little more pliable.
Your chicken will work best if it is shredded or diced small. You want to get nice even coverage of chicken on each pinwheel, and large chunks will not work.
FAQ
Do I have to soften the cream cheese.
No. While it will mix easier if the cream cheese is softened to room temperature if you forget you can still make this appetizer.
How do I store leftover buffalo chicken pinwheels?
If this appetizer has been sitting out for several hours you may want to throw them away. It would be a good idea to refrigerate the pinwheels and only pull out a small amount at a time for the party, replacing as needed to lessen waste.
If they haven't been sitting out, the pinwheels can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. You can also freeze the pinwheels and pull them out as needed for a quick lunch or snack.
More Great Appetizers
Chicken Pinwheels
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 8oz block, cream cheese
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ¾ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- green onions
- chips or crackers
- 2 Flour tortillas
Instructions
- Mix together ream cheese, ranch dressing and garlic salt in a large bowl or oven-safe dish.
- Add chicken and hot sauce and mix well.
- Lay tortilla flat on plate or cutting board.
- top with shredded cheese
- Roll up tortilla tightly starting at one end. Cut in to 1" slices.
- Add green onions or chives for garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
We hope you enjoyed this delicious pinwheel recipe. If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe to the newsletter here.
I share a few things that I don’t share here and I email you only once a week. I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously!
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on Organized Island, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! To see what I am up to, check out my stories on Instagram and let me know you are following. It would bring me much joy!
Want to streamline your weekly meals? Check out my Beginner's Guide to Meal Planning book on Amazon.
Tamara
Oh, I love these. They're a perfect Super Bowl food!