Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

5 from 2 votes
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These Buffalo chicken pinwheels put a bold, spicy spin on classic chicken pinwheels! They’re a quick and easy appetizer with juicy shredded chicken smothered in tangy Buffalo sauce, rolled up in a soft tortilla, and sliced.

Looking for more easy roll-up recipes? Try my ham and cheese pinwheels, too!

Buffalo chicken pinwheels stacked on a white plate.

 

These Buffalo chicken pinwheels have all the bold and spicy flavors of Buffalo chicken wings and Buffalo chicken dip, rolled up into a fuss-free appetizer. They’re easy to make with simple ingredients and they’re a massive hit at parties! My recipe brings together juicy shredded chicken with bold Buffalo hot sauce, tangy cream cheese, and salty blue cheese for tons of punchy flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

  • Bold flavor. The flavor-packed filling is a delicious combination of shredded chicken, bold and spicy Buffalo sauce, and tangy cream cheese with a few more tasty add-ins.
  • Quick to make. Simply mix all your ingredients, spread them on a tortilla, and you’re ready to roll. Literally! 
  • Party-ready. This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or game days. Pinwheels are an easy appetizer that anyone can make, no matter your skill level in the kitchen.
Ingredients for Buffalo chicken pinwheels.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are some notes on the ingredients you’ll need to make these easy Buffalo chicken pinwheels. Scroll to the recipe card below the post for a printable ingredients list.

  • Cream Cheese – Softened before you start.
  • Chicken – You’ll need cooked cubed or shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a great option for this!
  • Buffalo Sauce – Choose your favorite brand.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese, or another kind, like Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack.
  • Blue Cheese – Optional, but like any blue cheese lover will tell you, this funky cheese pairs deliciously with Buffalo sauce. Another option is to drizzle in some blue cheese dressing. If you aren’t a fan, you can replace the blue cheese with extra cheddar, or try another crumbly cheese, like feta.
  • Green Onions – Sliced green onions or chives. You can also use another mild onion, like red onion, and dice it up finely.
  • Tortillas – I use 6” flour tortillas, but you can also use the larger burrito-sized tortillas if you’d like.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

These juicy, spicy Buffalo chicken roll-ups are ready for the fridge in 10 minutes! Here’s how to make them. Scroll to the recipe card for printable recipe instructions.

  • Make the filling. Add all of your ingredients (aside from the tortillas) to a large bowl. Mix until everything is well combined.
  • Assemble. Spread the Buffalo chicken filling over the tortillas. Starting from the bottom, roll the tortilla up tightly around the filling.
  • Chill. Pop your rolled tortillas into the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours. 
  • Slice and serve. Take your rolls out of the fridge and slice them into 1” pinwheels. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Scroll for more tasty serving ideas!

How Do You Keep Pinwheels From Falling Apart?

While it’s tempting to roll up your Buffalo chicken pinwheels and serve them right away, giving them enough time to chill in the fridge is key. Not only does it give the flavors a chance to mingle, but chilling also helps the pinwheels hold their shape after they’re sliced.

Buffalo chicken pinwheels stacked on a white plate.

Tips for Success

Here are some helpful tips to make the best Buffalo chicken pinwheel sandwiches:

  • Soften the cream cheese. You’ll have the best results with cream cheese that comes in blocks, rather than the tubs of spreadable cream cheese. Take your cream cheese out of the fridge 20-30 minutes ahead, this way it’s easier to combine with the other ingredients.
  • Leave a small gap around the edge. When spreading the chicken mixture over the tortillas, leave a small lip at the edge. This way the filling won’t squeeze out once the tortillas are rolled up.
  • Don’t skip the chilling time. As mentioned, chilling is the key to keeping your chicken pinwheels from unrolling/falling apart. Make sure to leave them in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Buffalo chicken?

Buffalo chicken is named after Buffalo, New York, the city where it was invented. 

What flavor is Buffalo?

Buffalo sauce is a spicy, tangy combination of cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter. It’s smoother and richer than regular hot sauce. 

Why are my pinwheels soggy?

Try to serve your pinwheels on the day they’re made, or the following day. Storing them for too long in the fridge makes the tortillas soggy. See below for make-ahead and storage tips.

Overhead view of Buffalo chicken pinwheels stacked on a white plate.

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

These spicy chicken pinwheels are the perfect party appetizer. Serve them with a side of blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing, alongside more tasty snacks like bacon wrapped smokies, air fryer onion rings, and chili cheese dip

We also love taking these pinwheel sandwiches along on picnics with a side of pasta salad or potato salad. Or, for a light lunch during the week, pair your Buffalo chicken pinwheels with a crisp Caesar salad.

Buffalo chicken pinwheels stacked on a white plate.

Can You Make Pinwheels the Day Before?

Yes, it’s fine to make these Buffalo chicken pinwheels up to 1 day ahead of when you plan to serve them. I recommend assembling and refrigerating the pinwheels as directed. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Wait until you’re ready to serve them before slicing. This prevents the pinwheels from drying out.

Storing Leftover Chicken Pinwheels

  • Refrigerate. These Buffalo chicken pinwheels taste their best 1-2 days from when they’re made. You can keep any leftovers for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. Note that the tortillas will become more soggy with time.
  • Freeze. I don’t recommend freezing pinwheel sandwiches as the tortillas will be very soggy once thawed. They’re so quick to make, it’s worth rolling up a fresh batch each time!

More Buffalo Chicken Recipes

Buffalo chicken pinwheels stacked on a white plate.
5 from 2 votes

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

By Erin
Buffalo chicken pinwheels put a bold, spicy spin on classic chicken pinwheel sandwiches! They’re a quick and easy appetizer, perfect for your next party.
Prep: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a bowl mix together all of the ingredients, except for the tortillas, until well combined and evenly blended together. 
  • Spread some of the chicken mixture over each tortilla, leaving a little lip around the edge. 
  • Start from the bottom and roll up tightly. Store in the fridge for 1-2 hours. 
  • Remove and slice into about 1 inch size pinwheels. 
  • Serve with ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 575mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 242
Keyword: buffalo chicken pinwheels, chicken pinwheels
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5 Comments

  1. I love the zesty flavor of the Buffalo sauce with the shredded chicken, and it’s so good in the tortillas! A+

  2. I tried your Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels for a party, and they were a crowd-pleaser! The spicy buffalo chicken combined with the creamy filling was perfect. They were easy to make and disappeared quickly.