Sweet, savory, and super simple! Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Pinwheels are the perfect party food or luscious light lunch!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Pinwheels are a tantalizing twist on the classic chicken salad sandwich. Shredded chicken, craisins and cream cheese with crunchy pecans and chopped celery are thinly spread onto soft flour tortillas to make this the absolute best chicken salad recipe ever!
Chicken Salad is Versatile, Pinwheels are Beautiful!
Everything about this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is amazing! This recipe has all the best flavors and just the right balance of creamy and crunchy.
But if you have different preferences, this recipe is easy to alter! Walnuts or toasted almonds can substitute for the pecans. Greek mayo can replace half the mayo. Celery is optional. Other seasonings like curry, tarragon, or fresh dill can change the taste. And, of course, red grapes or apples can replace the subtle sweetness of the dried cranberries.
These chicken roll ups are also GORGEOUS. The green chives and celery contrast the berry red craisins. And once they are rolled up and sliced into spiral pinwheels, their presentation on a party platter is unparalleled!
Other Appetizer Recipes to Serve with Chicken Salad Pinwheels
- Spinach Balls are fun and bright and the perfect little pop of flavor!
- Stuffed Mushrooms are a warm and creamy delicious appetizer for almost every occasion!
Ingredients
Chicken: Shredded cooked chicken – broil, boil or roast your own or buy a luscious rotisserie chicken and save yourself the trouble of cooking a chicken!
Crispy: Chopped pecans and diced celery give this chicken salad the perfect crunch!
Chewy: Dried cranberries (craisins) MAKE this chicken salad recipe! If you think you don’t like cranberries, think again when it comes to the dried ones! They are chewy like raisins and sweet, almost like candy!
Creamy: Cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard combine to make the creamiest, yummiest chicken salad base!
Seasoning: Salt & pepper, garlic powder, and minced chives make this recipe extra special.
Wraps: Large flour tortillas are needed to make these pinwheel roll ups. (You can also use tomato or spinach tortillas for a splash of color!)
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Pinwheels
STEP ONE: Blend the softened cream cheese, mayo, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt & pepper together in a large bowl.
STEP TWO: Add in the shredded cooked chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced celery & chives and mix well.
STEP THREE: Spread the chicken salad mixture evenly onto each tortilla shell, leaving about an inch empty around the edge. Tightly roll up the tortillas and then wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
STEP FOUR: Remove the tortillas from the fridge and unwrap them. Slice off the ends, and then cut each tortilla into 6 pinwheels. Garnish with more chopped chives, if desired, and arrange on a platter. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Don’t cut the tortillas into pinwheels until ready to serve them. When slicing, I find using a serrated knife works best.
- Spinach or tomato tortillas add a pop of festive color and make your pinwheels look stunning on a party tray! You can even use both to mix things up!
- Layers of baby spinach and provolone in the pinwheels can make the chicken salad go further to feed a larger crowd.
- This chicken salad is great all on its own, too. I’ve been known to eat it with a spoon or make sandwiches with leftovers. (I usually make a double batch of the filling.)
How Do I Keep Pinwheels from Falling Apart?
Pinwheels are very easy to make and they will make perfect spirals if you follow these tips:
- Keep the filling to a thin layer. Bulky fillings are the enemy of a good pinwheel!
- Soften the tortillas before you start by placing a moist paper towel between them and placing them in the microwave for a few seconds to soften.
- Use large-sized tortillas. If your tortilla isn’t big enough to hold the filling easily, it may cause them to split.
- Once the tortillas are filled and rolled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Follow these steps for perfect pinwheels every time!
How Long Will Chicken Salad Last?
The simple answer is four days if kept refrigerated. But since chicken salad really is best on day 2, if you make it ahead so you can serve it on the second day, you should only keep it 3 days after that.
You can also freeze chicken salad, don’t expect it to have the same glorious texture or quality as before it was frozen. The colors will fade, the nuts will soften, and the ingredients will become watery. But spread onto buttered toast, the flavor is still great!
Other Pretty Pinwheels and Roll Up Recipes!
- Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
- Spinach and Artichoke Puff Pastry Pinwheels
- Spicy Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups
- Cheddar Chorizo Pinwheel Bites
- Club Sandwich Pinwheels
- Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken shredded
- ½ cup dried cranberries (can be chopped into small pieces if desired)
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- 2 stalks celery small dice
- ¼ cup chives minced (plus more for garnish)
- 4 large flour tortillas
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayo, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper together until smooth.
- Add the chicken, dried cranberries, pecans, celery, and chive to the bowl. Stir until evenly combined. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Lay out a tortilla and add 1/4 of the chicken salad to the center. Spread the chicken salad evenly over the tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and salad.
- Tightly roll each tortilla into a log. Wrap with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Unwrap the tortillas. Slice off the end and then cut each log into 6 pinwheels. Arrange on a serving plate and garnish with more chives, if desired.
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