When the holidays roll around, I often hear people stressing about finding appetizers that taste incredibly festive without weighing everyone down before the main meal. We all love those rich, comforting dishes, but sometimes you just need something bright! That’s why I turned what I learned as a clinical nutritionist into my favorite Christmas appetizers: these super simple, protein-packed Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups.
I first dreamed these up one chilly December afternoon in Boston after coming back from a snowy hike. I wanted that crunch and tartness of holiday cranberries but needed a satisfying, lean bite. Trust me, blending that creamy base with vibrant mix-ins creates something truly special. They look like little holiday pinwheels, are ridiculously easy to assemble, and they let you feel great about what you’re serving!
The beauty of this recipe is you can whip up the filling early, roll them tight while you’re catching up on holiday emails, and know you have gorgeous finger food ready to go whenever guests arrive. It’s all about making smart, flavorful choices during Christmas Cooking.
Why You Will Love These Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
Honestly, these roll ups are my secret weapon for easy entertaining. They taste so gourmet, but they come together faster than you can wrap a present. You’re going to love how light they feel compared to heavier dips and pastries.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You assemble them the day before! This frees up so much time on the actual party day, which is a lifesaver during the holidays.
- Perfect Bite Size: They slice into beautiful, colorful pinwheels that look fantastic on any platter.
- Flavor Balance: It’s the perfect mix—creamy, slightly tangy from the feta, with that essential sweet-tart pop from the cranberries.
- Protein-Packed: Since they have plenty of shredded chicken, these actually leave guests feeling satisfied, not sluggish.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
To get those clean slices and that incredible creamy-yet-textured result, you absolutely need to pay attention to what you are putting into the mix. This isn’t really a recipe where you want to skip foundational elements! When I was developing the lighter side of Holiday Food, I emphasized fresh elements that pack a punch.
For the Salad Filling
Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened—this is key before turning on the mixer! We need everything to incorporate smoothly so we don’t overwork the salad.
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Sour cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cups Shredded chicken (I prefer rotisserie for ease!)
- 1/2 cup Sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup Dried cranberries
- 4 Green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
For Assembly
You need large, pliable tortillas here, otherwise, they crack when you roll them up. Think big, soft canvases for our delicious filling!
- 3 10-inch tortillas
Expert Tips for Making the Best Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
Getting these stunning little bites to slice perfectly without squishing is where the magic happens. Honestly, they are so pretty they look like a centerpiece of your Holiday Food spread! If you are looking for more appetizer inspiration for the season, check out some of my favorite Thanksgiving appetizer recipes for ideas, too!
First things first: don’t skimp on the chilling time! I know you want to eat them right away, but those 3 to 4 hours—or even overnight—are non-negotiable. This time allows the cream cheese base to firm up around the mix-ins. If the filling is soft, it just oozes out when you cut it.
Second, when you spread that salad onto the tortilla—be generous, but leave that crucial clean space around the edges. Don’t pack the filling right up to the rim, or you’ll have a filling explosion when you roll it tight. We want a compact log!
Finally, when you grab your knife to cut the pinwheels, make sure you use a serrated one, like a bread knife. Don’t use a standard chef’s knife—it will drag and tear the tortilla. Think of sawing gently through soft butter; that smooth slicing action is the key to getting those gorgeous, clean rounds.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
This is where we turn those lovely ingredients into party-ready bites! I promise you, once the base is mixed, the rest is just assembly. It’s so straightforward, which is exactly what we need when the holidays get hectic. Just take your time spreading the filling, and everything will come together beautifully.
Preparing the Creamy Base
First, you need that smooth, luxurious binder. Take your softened cream cheese, sour cream, and the Dijon mustard. I like to grab my hand mixer for this part—it whips everything up perfectly in about a minute. You’re aiming for a velvety texture; no one wants lumps of cream cheese peeking out when they bite into these!
Combining the Cranberry Chicken Salad Filling
Once your base looks like lovely, pale yellow silk, it’s time to add the good stuff! Gently fold in your shredded chicken, those tart dried cranberries, the crunch of the almonds, the salty feta, and the fresh green onions. Use a spatula here, not an electric mixer. We only want to mix until everything is evenly distributed. Overmixing means mush, and we want texture!
Rolling and Chilling Your Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
Lay out one tortilla and spread about one-third of your gorgeous salad across it. This is super important: leave about half an inch clear along the two sides and the top edge. This border is what seals the roll! Roll it up as tightly as you can without tearing the tortilla, like you’re rolling a very dense sleeping bag.
Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap. Now comes the hardest part, but you must do it: Chill them! These need a minimum of 240 minutes—four hours is best. Chilling is the secret to these being perfect Christmas Dinner Ideas instead of a sloppy mess.
Slicing and Serving the Roll Ups
When they are rock solid from the fridge, unwrap the logs. Grab that serrated knife we talked about! Lay the roll on its side and gently saw through it, aiming for pinwheels about half an inch thick. If they are perfectly chilled, they slice like butter!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Cranberry Chicken Salad
When you’re making lighter versions of classic fare, ingredient choices really matter for flavor and texture. As a dietitian, I always look for ways to boost nutrition without sacrificing that comforting, festive taste. If you want to lighten this up even more than the original recipe suggests, try swapping out half of the cream cheese for plain Greek yogurt. It keeps the tang but slashes the fat content—win-win, if you ask me!
Also, don’t feel locked into just dried cranberries. If you happen to have fresh cranberries, chop them small and toss them in raw! They will be a little tarter straight out of the roll up, but they deliver a wonderful wintery *snap* that’s amazing. If you happen to be working with picky eaters (I know I have a few!), I’ve suggested some great ways to sneak in extra veggies over at my post on easy recipes for kids!
Feta is non-negotiable for me because it cuts through the richness, but if you absolutely can’t do it, a little sharp white cheddar works in a pinch. Remember, balance is key!
Storing and Reheating Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
The absolute best part about these vibrant bites is how much you can prep ahead for your Christmas Cooking marathon! I find that the assembled, wrapped logs last beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two full days. That means you can make them on Christmas Eve Eve and still have them fresh!
Now, listen up: absolutely do not freeze these. The texture of the cream cheese and the crispness of the tortilla just don’t handle the freezer well, and you’ll end up with a watery mess once they thaw. They are meant to be made fresh, refrigerated until firm, and served cold. If you have leftovers? Keep them chilled and enjoy them the next day for a light lunch!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
It’s totally normal to have questions when you’re trying to perfect a new holiday appetizer! I know you want these gorgeous Holiday Treats to turn out perfectly for your guests. Here are some of the most common things readers ask about assembly and ingredients for these savory roll ups. If you want to double-check my general guidelines, you can always check out the important information on my disclaimer page, too!
Can I make the Cranberry Chicken Salad Filling ahead of time?
Oh yes, you can! I actually encourage making just the filling up to 24 hours ahead of time. You mix all the ingredients—the chicken, cranberries, and creamy base—and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just spread and roll immediately. However, I always recommend assembling the full log shortly before the final chill time, as the tortilla quality stays best when rolled fresh versus sitting around with the wet filling for too long.
What are good alternatives to tortillas for these Holiday Treats?
If you are trying to keep things lighter or maybe manage gluten concerns, you have a couple of fantastic options! For a really low-carb choice that still looks elegant, try using large butter lettuce leaves or sturdy endive spears as the wrap instead of tortillas. You just layer the salad into the leaf; it won’t roll up tightly, but it still offers that great cranberry chicken flavor in a single bite!
Can I use canned chicken in these pinwheels?
You certainly *can*, but I’m going to advise against it if you want the best texture. Canned chicken tends to be much softer and can sometimes have an almost mushy texture once mixed with the cream cheese. Using leftover shredded rotisserie chicken or poaching and shredding fresh chicken breast gives you the necessary structure so your pinwheels don’t collapse or look pasty.
Do I have to use feta cheese, or can I skip it?
The feta is really there to introduce a necessary salty, bright tang that cuts through the creaminess of the base. If you have an allergy or simply don’t like it, a finely grated sharp Parmesan cheese or even a tiny bit of crumbled goat cheese works as a substitute. You need that salty note to keep the whole thing interesting!
Nutritional Estimates for This Recipe
Now, let’s talk real talk about what’s in these gorgeous little roll ups. Because we are leaning into lean protein and fresh, bright flavors, these Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups are wonderfully balanced for a holiday appetizer. They feel comforting because of the creamy base, but they aren’t heavy like a fried pastry!
I always want to be transparent about these numbers. Keep in mind that these are just estimates based on the ingredients listed, assuming you used standard, full-fat cream cheese and store-bought shredded chicken.
For one roll-up serving (which is one of those pinwheel slices), here’s what you can generally expect:
- Calories: Around 180-200 kcal
- Total Fat: Approximately 12g
- Protein: A solid 10g or more!
- Carbohydrates: Around 9g (this depends heavily on the tortilla used!)
If you are looking to significantly lower the carbs, remember that substitution I mentioned earlier—using lettuce wraps instead of tortillas will drop those carbs substantially. As a Registered Dietitian, I want you to feel good about every single bite you serve or enjoy this season, and these estimates help us keep that balance in mind!
Share Your Festive Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
That’s it! You’ve got the recipe, the tips, and all the encouragement you need to make these bright, beautiful cranberry chicken salad roll ups for your next holiday gathering. Seriously, I hope they become a new tradition in your kitchen the way they have in mine. They are proof that truly satisfying Christmas Meals don’t have to be complicated.
I would absolutely love to see your creations! When you serve these, snap a picture and tag me on social media. Seeing your festive platters brings me so much joy. As a Registered Dietitian and someone who believes passionately that healthy food should always taste amazing, getting your feedback is how I know I’m hitting the mark.
If these roll ups were a hit at your party, please leave a star rating right down below! It helps other busy hosts find balanced, crowd-pleasing appetizers like this one. You can learn a bit more about my philosophy on flavor and balance over at my About Page. Happy holiday cooking, everyone!
Amazing 3-Step Cranberry Chicken Salad Christmas Roll Ups
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and Dijon mustard together using a hand mixer until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken, almonds, cranberries, green onions, and feta cheese to the cream cheese mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Spread the chicken salad mixture onto one tortilla. Leave a half-inch border along the sides and the top edge.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly.
- Wrap the rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the rolls for several hours so the filling firms up.
- Remove the plastic wrap. Slice the chilled tortillas with a serrated knife into pinwheel sandwiches.