These Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels are an easy, make-ahead Weight Watchers-friendly appetizer that's perfect for potlucks, game days, parties, or even a light lunch. Made with soft flour tortillas, seasoned chicken breast, crunchy peppers, red onion, and light cream cheese, these chicken pinwheel roll-ups are creamy, flavorful, and surprisingly satisfying - all for just 2 WW points per pinwheel. *Points can be further reduced by using a low-point tortilla.
What makes this chicken tortilla pinwheels recipe a go-to is how effortless and versatile it is. There's no reheating required, they travel well, and they can be made the night before - which makes them ideal for busy schedules and stress-free entertaining. Whether you're bringing a dish to a work potluck, planning healthy game-day snacks, or looking for low-calorie finger foods that everyone will enjoy, these WW chicken pinwheels deliver big flavor without tasting "diet." Best of all, they're always a crowd-pleaser - even with people who aren't following Weight Watchers - proving that healthy appetizers can be just as delicious as their higher-calorie counterparts.
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If you love tortilla pinwheels, try my sweet Cinnamon Raisin Tortilla Sushi!
A few years back, I was facing a work potluck right before my Weight Watchers weigh-in day, and I made the classic mistake of trying to "save points" by skipping breakfast. By the time I arrived, I was starving, and with no WW-friendly options in sight, I overindulged. The scale was definitely not my friend the next morning!
That experience taught me a valuable lesson: always bring a healthy dish to the table, even if it's not your turn. It's the only way to ensure you have a low-point option you actually enjoy while staying on track with your goals.
These low-point Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels are the perfect solution. They are so savory and delicious that my kids devoured them before I could even get them out the door! Whether you're counting points or just looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these roll-ups are a guaranteed hit.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For this easy recipe, you'll need the following simple ingredients:
- Large tortillas. I use sun-dried tomato flavor, as it's the most flavorful. But you can use spinach if you can't find it (I used spinach in the ingredient and process images). Use a low-carb tortilla (see WW points) to reduce points even further.
- Chicken breast. Finely shredded or very finely chopped chicken works best so the pinwheels roll tightly and slice cleanly. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, but remove any skin and excess moisture before mixing. If using canned chicken, drain extremely well and pat dry to prevent soggy pinwheels.
- Cream cheese. Spreadable light cream cheese makes rolling easier and keeps WW points low. Fat-free cream cheese works, but it's firmer - let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before spreading. Avoid whipped cream cheese, which can be too soft to hold everything together.
- Red onion. Finely chopping is key - large pieces can cause tearing when rolling.
- Red pepper. Adds crunch, color, and mild sweetness. Dice very finely so the tortillas roll smoothly.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Peppers- you can use orange or yellow pepper instead of red bell pepper (green pepper would be too bitter, so I do not recommend it)
- Onion- use green onions instead of red ones
- Tortillas- use spinach, whole wheat, low-carb, red pepper, corn/gluten-free or any type you prefer
🔪Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken Pinwheels
PREP: Grill chicken breasts and chop finely or shred chicken (I use shredded). *Sprinkle them with a little garlic powder and Cajun seasoning before grilling to make them more flavorful!
- Step 1: Mix onion, chicken, and red pepper together in a large bowl.
- Step 2: On a flat surface, such as a cutting board, spread 2 tbsps light cream cheese over each tortilla, as you would jam.
- Step 3: Then spread a layer of the chicken mixture on each tortilla. Repeat until mixture has been used.
- Step 4: Starting at the bottom, roll up tortilla as tightly as possible. Continue rolling it up.
- Step 5: Continue rolling until you get to the top edge of the tortilla.
- Step 6: When you get to the edge, add a little more cream cheese, so it will stick together. Roll it right up (tightly), and place seam side down.
- Step 7: Wrap rolled tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and place tortillas in fridge for one hour mininum.*I have found they stay together better if you roll them the night before.
- Step 8: Cut off the ends (with no filling). Slice into ½ to ¾ inch slices and serve! * You can use a measuring tape to ensure you have equally sized pieces.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Warm tortillas slightly (10-15 seconds in the microwave) if they're stiff - this prevents cracking.
- Spread cream cheese edge-to-edge, leaving no dry spots so the filling sticks evenly.
- Roll as tightly as possible without squeezing out the filling.
- Add a dab of cream cheese to help them hold together.
- Use a very sharp or serrated knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat slices.
- If your kitchen is warm, chill the roll again for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- For uniform pinwheels, trimming the ends first makes the rest easier to portion evenly.
🥗What to Serve with Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels
These Tortilla Pinwheels go well with a veggie platter, as well Dark Chocolate Hummus platter with fruit and graham crackers(shown). Or make a spread of Healthy game day snacks!
🔢WW Points
These tortilla pinwheels are 2 WW points each using the sun-dried tomato tortillas. However, you can bring the points down by using a lower-point tortilla, such as Mission Carb Balance Sundried Tomato Basil Tortilla Wraps or Mission Zero Sundried Tomato Basil Tortillas.
🌡️Storage
These chicken cream cheese pinwheels can be made a couple of days in advance and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
❔ Recipe FAQs
This usually happens if the filling is too chunky, the tortillas are dry, or they weren't chilled long enough. Finely chop all ingredients, roll tightly, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best)
Yes - and they actually hold together better when made ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and slice just before serving.
They're safe at room temperature for about 2 hours. For longer events, keep them chilled and replenish the platter as needed.
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I got this tortilla pinwheel recipe from a friend back around 2001, and I have brought it to many-a-party/potluck since that time. But I haven't seen it around for a while, so I thought it needed to be resurrected. I love to resurrect recipes!
Don't let your next potluck catch you off guard as mine did! These 2-point Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels are the ultimate secret weapon for staying on track while still bringing a dish that everyone-even the kids-will devour. They're easy, delicious, and the perfect way to ensure there's always something healthy and satisfying on the table!
🍲 More WW Friendly Potluck Recipes
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📋Tortilla Chicken Pinwheels Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 - 10 inch soft flour tortillas *I use tomato flavor
- 2 cups shredded chicken (2 chicken breasts),or finely chopped * you can use rotisserie chicken or canned chicken breast instead
- 1 red pepper finely chopped
- ¾ cup red onion (1 medium red onion) finely chopped
- 8 tablespoon low-fat cream cheese * I use the spreadable (or substitute non fat cream cheese)
Instructions
- PREP: Grill chicken breasts and chop finely or shred. *Sprinkle them with a little garlic powder and Cajun seasoning before grilling to make them more flavorful! You could use leftover rotisserie chicken instead.
- Mix onion, chicken and red pepper together in a large bowl.1 red pepper, ¾ cup red onion (1 medium red onion), 2 cups shredded chicken (2 chicken breasts),or finely chopped
- On a flat surface, such as a cutting board. spread 2 tbsps light cream cheese over each tortilla, as you would jam. Then spread a layer of the chicken mixture on each tortilla. Repeat until mixture has been used.4 - 10 inch soft flour tortillas, 8 tablespoon low-fat cream cheese
- Start at the bottom of the tortilla and start rolling upwards, as tightly as possible.
- Continue rolling tightly.
- Continue rolling until you get to the edge.
- When you get to the edge, add a little more cream cheese, so it will stick together.
- Roll right up (tightly) place seam side down.
- Wrap rolled tortillas tightly in plastic wrap and place tortillas in fridge for one hour mininum. *I have found they stay together better if you roll them the night before.
- Cut off the ends (with no filling)
- Slice into ½ -¾ inch slices and serve! * You can use a measuring tape to ensure you have equal sized pieces.
Notes
- Warm tortillas slightly (10-15 seconds in the microwave) if they're stiff - this prevents cracking.
- Spread cream cheese edge-to-edge, leaving no dry spots so the filling sticks evenly.
- Roll as tightly as possible without squeezing out the filling.
- Add a dab of cream cheese to help them hold together.
- Use a very sharp or serrated knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat slices.
- If your kitchen is warm, chill the roll again for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- For uniform pinwheels, trimming the ends first makes the rest easier to portion evenly.
Lauren says
Iam probably over looking the answer to my question, but is it 1 point per piece? I am Assuming so, but want to be sure.
Thanks!!
Terri Gilson says
Hi Lauren, yes that’s what my WW calculator shows- 1 point per piece!?
Riz | Chocolates & Chai says
Ahh!! I totally get how difficult potlucks can be when you’re on weight watchers, or just trying to adhere to any particular nutrition plan!
I love the pinwheel idea, I have tortillas fairly often but I’ve never thought to present them quite like this!
Terri Gilson says
Hi Riz,
Thank you! Yes, it can be challenging! But weight watchers is probably the most flexible (you can eat anything). I just need to plan better 🙂
Bernice Hill says
Been making these for years...my kids are even fans! Congratulations on your weight loss so far Terri, I hope you are feeling great and don't beat yourself up too much over the odd slip up. You're only human!
Thank you for showing me that weight loss CAN happen even to a food blogger!
Terri Gilson says
thanks, Bernice! Yeah, try not to get too masochistic, as life happens and I'm in this for the long haul. Yes, it really is tough to keep the weight off as a food blogger!