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Taco cream cheese pinwheels arranged on a white plate, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Layla

Taco Cream Cheese Pinwheels

These spicy, creamy roll-ups pack all your favorite taco flavors into bite-sized party perfection.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican-American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, sharp
  • 1.5 cup rotisserie chicken shredded, or finely chopped
  • 4 oz canned diced green chiles drained, mild or hot
  • 0.25 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 3 scallions thinly sliced
For Assembly
  • 4 large flour tortillas burrito size, room temperature

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Rubber spatula
  • Sharp Chef's Knife
  • Plastic wrap

Method
 

Make the Filling
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together with a rubber spatula until completely smooth and no lumps remain. This takes about 2 minutes of vigorous mixing - do not rush it or you'll have streaks in your pinwheels.
  2. Add the taco seasoning and stir until evenly distributed. Fold in the shredded cheddar, chicken, green chiles, cilantro, and scallions until everything is well coated and incorporated. The mixture should be thick and spreadable, not runny.
Assemble the Pinwheels
  1. Lay one tortilla on a clean work surface. Spread one-quarter of the filling evenly across the entire surface, reaching all the way to the edges. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon for the smoothest layer.
  2. Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the tortilla away from you into a tight cylinder. Apply gentle, even pressure as you roll to eliminate air pockets. Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to seal.
  3. Place the wrapped rolls on a plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2. This firms up the filling so you can slice clean, perfect rounds. The rolls can be refrigerated up to 24 hours at this stage.
  4. Unwrap one roll and place seam-side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef's knife, slice into 8 even pieces, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat edges. Arrange on a platter and repeat with remaining rolls. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, chill the rolls until completely firm - a slightly wobbly roll will squish when cut. Swap the chicken for black beans or refried beans to make these vegetarian. These actually taste better after a few hours in the fridge as the flavors meld, so they are ideal for making the morning of a party.