Crack Chicken Pinwheels Recipe
This Crack Chicken Pinwheels Recipe combines shredded chicken, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese rolled in soft flour tortillas. An addictively delicious appetizer that takes just 20 minutes to prep and serves a crowd.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Chilling time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings (24-32 pinwheels)
Calories 320 kcal
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or finely chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature (1 package)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix about 1 ounce
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbled into small pieces
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped (about 4 to 5 stalks)
- 4 large flour tortillas burrito size works best
- Optional garnish fresh parsley, extra bacon crumbles, ranch dressing for dipping
Make sure cream cheese has softened completely to room temperature. Leave on counter for about 1 hour or microwave in 10 second bursts.
Combine the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Use a sturdy spoon or hand mixer to blend until uniform with no white streaks, about 2 minutes.
Add the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions to the bowl. Fold everything together until ingredients distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
Lay one tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Spoon about one quarter of the chicken mixture onto the tortilla and spread into an even layer. Leave about half inch border around edges.
Roll the tortilla tightly from one end to the other, keeping even pressure throughout so the roll stays uniform in diameter. Avoid rolling too loose or too tight.
Wrap each completed roll tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper. Repeat with remaining three tortillas and filling.
Refrigerate the wrapped rolls for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This allows cream cheese to firm up and tortilla to absorb moisture.
Unwrap chilled rolls and use a sharp serrated knife to slice into rounds about 1 inch thick. Wipe knife clean between cuts for neat slices.
Arrange pinwheels on serving platter cut side up to show spiral pattern. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately or refrigerate until party time.
- Use rotisserie chicken for easiest prep with built-in seasoning
- Bring cream cheese to true room temperature for smoothest mixture
- Spread filling edge to edge but leave bare borders to prevent squeezing
- Chill rolls minimum 30 minutes before slicing for cleanest cuts
- Use serrated knife with sawing motion rather than pressing down
- Make up to 24 hours ahead and slice just before serving
- Store unsliced rolls wrapped in plastic wrap up to 3 days refrigerated
- Already sliced pinwheels keep about 2 days in airtight container
- Do not freeze as cream cheese becomes grainy when thawed
Keyword crack chicken pinwheels recipe