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Crispy Make-Ahead Chicken Ranch Pinwheels

crispy make-ahead chicken ranch pinwheels - featured image
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These crispy make-ahead chicken ranch pinwheels are a quick, easy, and flavorful lunch option featuring ranch-seasoned chicken wrapped in tortillas and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for meal prep and satisfying mid-day hunger with a crunchy, creamy bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 300g) cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely chopped (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade blend)
  • 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • Large flour tortillas, 8-inch (20 cm) diameter
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves or shredded lettuce (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Black pepper, freshly cracked to taste
  • Optional add-ins: diced green onions, crispy bacon bits, or a dash of hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly incorporated. Fold in optional diced green onions or bacon bits if using.
  3. Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread about 1/4 to 1/3 cup (60-80g) of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortilla, leaving about a half-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle fresh spinach or lettuce on top if desired.
  4. Roll the tortilla tightly from one edge like a jelly roll, snug enough to hold its shape but not so tight that filling squeezes out.
  5. Brush the outside of the rolled tortilla evenly with melted butter to create a crispy golden crust.
  6. Slice the roll into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pinwheels using a sharp knife with a gentle sawing motion. Expect about 6-8 pinwheels per tortilla.
  7. Arrange the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them for air circulation.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crispness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  9. Let cool slightly before serving to allow filling to settle.

Notes

Brush tortillas with melted butter before baking for a crispy crust. Warm tortillas briefly in microwave to prevent cracking. Do not overcrowd baking sheet to ensure even crisping. Broil briefly for extra crunch but watch carefully to avoid burning. Store pinwheels in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days; reheat in oven or toaster oven to maintain crispness. Freeze unbaked pinwheels on baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags; bake from frozen adding extra time.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pinwheels, ranch chicken, make-ahead lunch, crispy pinwheels, easy lunch recipe, meal prep, chicken tortilla roll-ups

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/crispy-make-ahead-chicken-ranch-pinwheels-easy-lunch-recipe-ideas/