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Creamy Southwest chicken tortilla roll-ups are full of amazing flavors perfect for any party or gathering.
These easy-to-make chicken pinwheels are filled with chicken, cream cheese, tomatoes, and southwest spices.
Southwest Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups
Easy southwest chicken tortilla rollups are a quick appetizer or lunch that requires no baking and can be ready in just a few minutes.
The perfect party appetizer everyone will love, serve them for any party, game day, or get-together.
Packed full of flavor, soft flour tortillas are rolled up with cream cheese, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, and spices and then sliced to make crowd-pleasing bite-sized appetizers.
Super simple to make ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients for Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups
- Cream Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Pepper - coarse black pepper
- Chili Powder
- Garlic Salt
- Green Onions - sliced green parts
- Cheddar Cheese - grated cheddar cheese
- Chicken - can use rotisserie meat
- Rotel
- Jalapenos
- Black Beans - canned black beans
- Flour Tortillas - burrito size flour tortillas
Substitutions and Additions
CHICKEN: Don't have cooked chicken on hand? No worries! You can use canned chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken leftovers, or even cooked turkey for a tasty alternative.
BEANS: For a protein-packed vegetarian option, swap black beans with cooked lentils or cooked chickpeas. They'll lend a similar heartiness and work well with the other southwestern flavors.
CREAM CHEESE: If you want a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese. It will still provide a creamy texture and tangy taste while reducing the overall fat content.
CHEESE: Experiment with different cheeses like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend for a change in flavor.
GREEN CHILES: Adjust the spiciness by using diced mild green chilies or go bolder with hot green chilies if you prefer more heat.
Alternatively, you can use roasted red peppers for a sweeter, smokier flavor.
HEAT: If you would prefer a more mild flavor, you can omit the jalapenos.
SALSA: While store-bought salsa is convenient, making your own can add a personal touch. You can also adjust the heat profile by using a milder or spicer salsa in this recipe.
You can also try different variations, such as mango salsa, pineapple salsa, or a spicy pico de Gallo for additional flavors.
CILANTRO: If you're not a fan of cilantro's distinct taste, substitute it with fresh parsley or chopped green onions.
LIME JUICE: Swap lime juice with lemon juice if that's what you have available. It will add a tangy brightness to the dish, though with a slightly different citrus flavor.
BACON: You can add crispy chopped bacon to these roll-ups.
AVOCADO: A favorite for Mexican-inspired recipes, adding fresh, diced avocado to these chicken tortilla roll-ups would be delicious.
How to Make Southwest Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups
PREP: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before starting to make it easiest to mix.
Carefully dice your jalapeno, being careful to not touch your face until thoroughly washing your hands.
Drain the Rotel and black beans before starting as well.
FIRST STEP: In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to beat together cream cheese, sour cream, pepper, chili powder, and garlic salt.
SECOND STEP: Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to gently mix in green onions, cheddar cheese, chicken, Rotel, jalapeño, and black beans. Stir until evenly mixed.
THIRD STEP: Place each tortilla on a sheet of plastic wrap.
FOURTH: Spread about 1 cup of the mixture over the face of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla up tightly and wrap the plastic wrap around it to hold the shape.
FIFTH: Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to allow the flavors to combine and to firm up the tortilla and mixture for slicing into pinwheels. They are much easier to slice when cold!
SIXTH: Slice the tortillas into ¾-1” sections. Serve.
How to Serve Chicken Tortilla Roll-Ups
These roll-ups are a great snack, appetizer, or lunch.
You can also make a more substantial meal by pairing them with Mexican rice and a fresh green salad.
How to Store Southwest Chicken Roll-Ups
IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftover tortilla roll-ups in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. They make for a tasty grab-and-go lunch option or a quick snack throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chicken tortilla roll-ups in advance?
Yes, you can make these chicken pinwheels a day in advance, just leave them unsliced and wrap them in plastic wrap. Slice them just before you are ready to serve.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
We recommend using soft flour tortillas for this recipe as corn tortillas don't roll up as well and can break.
I'm a vegetarian. Can I substitute the chicken with something else?
Of course! If you're a vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and onions.
You can also try using tofu or cooked quinoa as a protein-rich alternative or adding additional beans.
Bursting with Southwest flavors and wrapped in a soft tortilla, these roll-ups are not only incredibly delicious but also incredibly versatile.
Whether you need a quick appetizer for a party or a satisfying lunch on the go, these roll-ups have got you covered.
With their simple preparation and crowd-pleasing taste, you'll find yourself making these Southwest chicken tortilla roll-ups again and again.
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Southwest Chicken Roll-Ups
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Ingredients
- 1 package cream cheese softened ((8-ounce))
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ cup sliced green onions, green parts
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cups diced, cooked chicken ((I used rotisserie meat, diced very small))
- 1 can Rotel ( 10-ounce (loosely drained, a bit of the juice is fine) )
- 1-2 tablespoons finely diced jalapeño (seeds, and core removed (more or less to taste))
- 1 cup canned black beans ((drained and rinsed))
- 4 burrito size flour tortillas
DIRECTIONS
- PREP: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before starting to make it easiest to mix. Carefully dice your jalapeno, being careful to not touch your face until thoroughly washing your hands.Drain the Rotel and black beans before starting as well.
- In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to beat together cream cheese, sour cream, pepper, chili powder, and garlic salt.
- Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to gently mix in green onions, cheddar cheese, chicken, Rotel, jalapeño, and black beans. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Place each tortilla on a sheet of plastic wrap
- Spread about 1 cup of the mixture over the face of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla up tightly and wrap the plastic wrap around it to hold the shape.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour to allow the flavors to combine and to firm up the tortilla and mixture for slicing into pinwheels.
- Slice the tortillas into ¾-1” sections. Serve.
Comments
Kathy says
This was really good. It made a lot so next time I’ll cut in half. But was delicious!
Teri says
Do you think canned chicken would work?
Layne Henderson says
Hi, Teri - that would probably work!