Featured Recipe

Southwest Chicken Pinwheels

Name: Southwest Chicken Pinwheels
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces softened cream cheese at room temp; ½ cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon ground cumin (instead of chili powder for earthier flavor); ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (switch for chili powder); ½ teaspoon garlic powder (use fresh minced garlic for more punch); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 3 green onions sliced thin; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, cooled; 1 jalapeno finely diced, seeds removed for less heat; 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained; 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained (replaces Rotel for sweetness and crunch); 4 large flour tortillas; Plastic wrap for rolling

By Kate

Created on 27 December 2025

Cream cheese base with sour cream, spices, green onions, sharp cheddar, shredded chicken. Add drained black beans and diced jalapeno—careful handling—plus a substitution of canned corn for Rotel for sweetness and texture twist. Tortillas rolled tight, chilled to firm up and meld flavors. Slice into bite-size spirals. No baking required, just assembly. Spicy heat balanced with cool creaminess. High protein, moderate carbs, solid fat. Sodium can be tweaked by rinsing canned items thoroughly or swapping garlic salt for fresh garlic and less salt. Timing depends on chill firmness and ease of slicing, not exact minutes.

Prep: 20 min

Cook: 1h 5min

Total: 1h 25min

Serves: 8 servings

chicken appetizers no-bake party food

Introduction

Cream cheese acts as binder—soft, at room temp to avoid clumps. Sour cream makes filling silkier, balances heat — cumin and smoked paprika swap for standard chili powder bring subtle complexity, less predictable, more layered. Green onions pop fresh, sharp cheddar adds bite and fat for richness, chicken bulk boosts protein; black beans lend earthiness and fiber. Corn swaps out Rotel—the tomatoes and chilis replaced with sweetness and texture contrast. Handling jalapeno needs care—capsaicin burns surfaces and skin, gloves or thorough washing mandatory. Mixing gently to keep bean shape intact, prevent mush. Tortillas rolled tight wrapped in plastic keeps shape and traps moisture for melding. Chill long enough; too short and slices fall apart; too long and they firm excessively. Serrated knife slices cleanly with a back-and-forth motion, avoids pressing. Serve cold or slightly warmed but be wary of filling leakage. Can prep ahead easily, good for gatherings or snacks. Sodium is high; rinse canned goods or use low sodium options. Fresh garlic instead of garlic powder brightens flavor. Roll-ups show best with a neat spiral and predictable slice size. Trust your hands, eyes, and feel.

Ingredients

8 ounces softened cream cheese at room temp

½ cup sour cream

1 teaspoon ground cumin (instead of chili powder for earthier flavor)

½ teaspoon smoked paprika (switch for chili powder)

½ teaspoon garlic powder (use fresh minced garlic for more punch)

¼ teaspoon black pepper

3 green onions sliced thin

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups cooked shredded chicken, cooled

1 jalapeno finely diced, seeds removed for less heat

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup canned corn kernels, drained (replaces Rotel for sweetness and crunch)

4 large flour tortillas

Plastic wrap for rolling

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About the ingredients

Room temperature cream cheese is non-negotiable for smooth mixtures; cold lumps never fully incorporate causing uneven texture. Sour cream replaces part of the tang you’d get from buttermilk or yogurt if preferred. Garlic powder is safer shelf staple but freshly minced garlic punches sharpness and aroma for a fresher edge. Cumin and smoked paprika replace chili powder to bring more nuanced earthiness and smoky notes, but feel free to revert to chili powder for simpler profile. Swapping Rotel for canned corn changes the flavor profile notably—corn adds sweetness and crunch rather than acidity and heat, making this more approachable for milder palettes. Drain all canned ingredients extensively to prevent watery filling that bogs down the tortillas. Jalapeno can be replaced with mild pickled peppers too if less heat is wanted; always manage capsicum carefully; wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly. Using shredded sharp cheddar provides fat and bite, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack can be alternatives depending on desired heat and melt factor. Flour tortillas work best; whole wheat or spinach wraps can add color and nutrition but watch texture. Plastic wrap plays a vital role in keeping rolls intact and neat during chilling.

Method

Chop jalapeno fine, wear gloves or wash hands immediately after. Seeds add intense heat; optional to remove all seeds if sensitive.

Drain black beans and corn thoroughly, pat dry if needed to avoid soggy filling.

In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese and sour cream first. Helps achieve smooth base, prevents lumps.

Add cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper. Mix well with hand mixer or whisk. Spices wake the mix up.

Fold in green onions, cheddar, shredded chicken, jalapeno, black beans, and drained corn carefully. Avoid overmixing; want even distribution without breaking beans.

Lay out tortillas flat on plastic wrap squared off to tortilla size.

Spread about ¾ to 1 cup of filling evenly across each tortilla. Leave a small border to prevent overflow when rolling.

Tight roll each tortilla with help of plastic wrap underneath, sealing without air pockets. A snug roll ensures neat slices.

Wrap rolled tortillas fully in plastic, place in fridge. Minimum chill is one hour, but 1.5 hours cold ensures firm slices that hold shape.

When firm, unwrap and slice pinwheels ¾ to 1 inch thick. Use a sharp serrated knife, gentle sawing motion to avoid squishing.

Serve cold or bring to room temp briefly for softer feel. Holds well for party trays or meal prep.

If mixture seems too loose before chilling, add a few tablespoons of shredded cheese or scoop out excess moisture with paper towel. Soggy rolls won’t slice clean.

Technique Tips

Dice jalapeno very fine but remove seeds to control heat intensity; halves or quarters can overwhelm filling otherwise. Rinsing black beans and corn removes excess sodium and starch, avoids wet mess inside tortillas. Cream cheese and sour cream mixed first ensures no lumps; use hand mixer or sturdy wooden spoon—you need smooth consistency to spread. Fold in solids gently, preserving bean and corn shape; over-stirring breaks them up for dense mixture. Spread filling evenly, about ¾ to 1 cup each tortilla; too little filling yields flimsy rolls, too much causes spillage and mess. Roll tightly, keep plastic wrap underneath to prevent sticking and enable tight rolling. The chilling step is crucial—allows flavors to marry and fats to solidify, which means cleaner slices and longer holding time without filling oozing. Slice with serrated knife in gentle sawing motions; pressing down squashes filling and ruins slices. Serve chilled or near room temperature; warmed rolls might soften tortillas too much and cause filling leaks. Leftovers wrap well and keep in fridge 3-4 days. If mixture too wet before chilling, add more cheese or drain more strictly. Efficiency tip: prepare filling one day ahead for better flavor development and quicker assembly.

Chef's Notes

💡 Use room temperature cream cheese, no lumps, helps with mixing. Beat cream cheese and sour cream first. Don’t forget to rinse beans, corn; prevents wet mess. Texture matters.
💡 Roll tortillas tightly. Use plastic wrap; it helps create snug rolls. Too loose means slices fall apart. Chill for one hour minimum; longer is better for clean cuts.
💡 Mix gently after folding in solids. Preserve shapes, avoid mush. Too much mixing breaks beans; filling becomes dense. Aim for even distribution without overworking.
💡 Sounds simple but slice with a serrated knife; gentle sawing motion. Avoid pressing down. Clean slices matter for presentation; makes pinwheels appealing.
💡 Not happy with filling consistency? Add cheese if too loose. Maybe drain more thoroughly. It’s the small details that lead to better results.