Chicken cranberry pecan pinwheels are a festive, flavorful, and easy-to-make appetizer that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or game day gatherings. These tortilla roll-ups combine creamy chicken filling with dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and cream cheese, creating a balanced sweet-and-savory bite.
They’re simple to prepare ahead of time and slice beautifully into colorful pinwheels that look just as good as they taste. Whether served as finger food at a holiday party or as a quick snack, these pinwheels are guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
Preparation
Step 1: Make the Filling
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in shredded chicken, dried cranberries, pecans, shredded cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until well combined.
Step 2: Assemble the Pinwheels
- Lay out tortillas on a flat surface.
- Spread a generous layer of the chicken mixture evenly over each tortilla.
Step 3: Roll and Chill
- Roll tortillas tightly into logs.
- Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
- Unwrap tortillas and cut into 1-inch slices.
- Arrange pinwheels on a platter and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Variations
- Holiday Flair: Add fresh parsley or spinach for extra color.
- Sweet Twist: Use honey-roasted pecans for a sweeter flavor.
- Cheese Swap: Try goat cheese or cream cheese with herbs.
- Wrap Options: Use spinach or sun-dried tomato tortillas for color and flavor.
Cooking Notes
- Toast pecans before adding for extra crunch and flavor.
- Refrigeration is key, cold pinwheels slice more neatly.
- This recipe makes about 40 pinwheels, depending on slice size.
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect as a party appetizer or finger food.
- Great for potlucks, game day spreads, or holiday trays.
- Serve alongside other pinwheel variations for variety.
Tips
- Use a serrated knife to cut pinwheels cleanly.
- Don’t overfill tortillas or they’ll be harder to roll.
- Make ahead: prepare, chill, and slice just before serving.
- Secure with festive toothpicks if serving at parties.
Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (per pinwheel, about 40 servings)
- Calories: 95
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 120mg
FAQs
Q1: Can I use canned chicken?
- Yes, but fresh or rotisserie chicken gives better flavor and texture.
Q2: Can I make these the night before?
- Yes, wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours before slicing.
Q3: Can I freeze chicken cranberry pecan pinwheels?
- Not recommended—cream cheese doesn’t freeze well.
Q4: Can I make them gluten-free?
- Yes, use gluten-free tortillas.
Q5: Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
- Yes, walnuts or almonds are good substitutes.
Conclusion
Chicken cranberry pecan pinwheels are the perfect mix of creamy, savory, sweet, and crunchy. Easy to make ahead and quick to slice into elegant bites, they’re ideal for parties, holidays, or everyday snacking. With shredded chicken, tart cranberries, and nutty pecans wrapped in soft tortillas, these pinwheels will quickly become a go-to recipe for any festive occasion.