Delicious Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups

Growing up, Buffalo chicken wings were always takeout food in our house. The idea of making anything “Buffalo” flavored at home seemed way too complicated. But one day at a potluck, my friend Sarah brought these Buffalo chicken roll-ups that had everyone asking for the recipe.

Turns out, these roll-ups are about as easy as it gets – no deep frying, no mess, just a few simple ingredients rolled up in tortillas. Now they’re my go-to for game days and parties, and my kids actually prefer them to traditional wings. Who knew you could get all that Buffalo chicken flavor without dealing with sticky fingers and a greasy kitchen?

What Kind of Buffalo Sauce Should I Use?

The buffalo wing sauce you pick can really make or break these roll ups, but don’t worry – you’ve got plenty of good options. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is a popular choice that brings the right balance of heat and flavor, though brands like Sweet Baby Ray’s or Moore’s also work great. If you’re making these for a crowd, you might want to stick with a medium heat sauce, or have both mild and hot options if you’re mixing up multiple batches. Just keep in mind that some buffalo sauces are thicker than others – if yours is particularly thick, you can thin it out with a tiny bit of melted butter to make it easier to spread in your roll ups.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with this recipe? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Cream cheese: If you’re out of cream cheese, try using softened Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter option, or blend together ricotta and Greek yogurt (equal parts) for a tangier twist.
• Buffalo wing sauce: This is pretty key for the buffalo flavor, but you can make your own by mixing hot sauce with melted butter (3 parts hot sauce to 1 part butter). For less heat, try mixing hot sauce with ranch dressing.
• Blue cheese: Not everyone loves blue cheese – feel free to skip it or replace with feta cheese for a similar tangy bite. You can also just add extra Colby-Jack if you prefer.
• Colby-Jack cheese: Cheddar, Mexican blend, or Monterey Jack cheese work great here too. Any melting cheese will do the job!
• Flour tortillas: You can use spinach or sun-dried tomato tortillas for a pop of color. Just make sure they’re large enough to roll. Low-carb tortillas work too, though they might be a bit less flexible.
• Shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver, or you can use canned chicken in a pinch. For a vegetarian version, try using mashed chickpeas or crumbled tempeh.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making buffalo chicken roll ups is working with cream cheese that isn’t properly softened, which can lead to lumpy filling and difficult spreading – leave it out for at least an hour before starting, or microwave in 10-second intervals until perfectly soft. Another common mistake is overfilling the tortillas, which can cause them to tear or not roll properly – stick to about 3/4 cup of filling per tortilla and leave a small border around the edges. To prevent your roll ups from becoming soggy, make sure your shredded chicken is well-drained and patted dry before mixing it into the filling, and if you’re making them ahead, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to maintain their shape and freshness. For the best texture and flavor, let the rolled tortillas chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before slicing – this helps the filling firm up and makes for clean, neat cuts.

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups?

These spicy buffalo chicken roll ups are perfect for game day snacking or casual get-togethers, and they pair really well with some cooling side dishes to balance out the heat. A crisp celery and carrot stick platter with ranch or blue cheese dressing is my go-to accompaniment, keeping with the classic buffalo chicken wing tradition. For a more filling spread, I like to add a fresh green salad with cucumber and cherry tomatoes to bring some brightness to the plate. Since these roll ups already pack a punch, simple sides like potato chips, corn salad, or a basic coleslaw work great without overwhelming the main dish.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These buffalo chicken roll ups are perfect for making ahead! Place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they sit, making them a great prep-ahead party snack.

Make Ahead: You can prepare these roll ups up to 24 hours in advance – just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before slicing. This gives the filling time to firm up, making them easier to cut into neat pinwheels. Plus, it lets all those yummy buffalo chicken flavors meld together.

Pack: Taking these to a party? Pack them in a single layer in a container with a tight-fitting lid. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They travel really well and stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

Preparation Time	30-45 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	180-240 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2000-2200
• Protein: 120-140 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 4 ounces shredded colby-jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 pound shredded cooked chicken breast
• 5 large flour tortillas (10 inches wide)

Step 1: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on low speed until it becomes fluffy.

This step ensures the cream cheese is smooth and easy to mix with the other ingredients.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Add the hot wing sauce, blue cheese crumbles, Colby-jack cheese, and chopped green onions into the bowl with the cream cheese.

Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

Then, gently fold in the shredded chicken, making sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.

Step 3: Assemble the Tortilla Rolls

Take one flour tortilla and spread about ¼ of the chicken and cheese mixture onto it, making sure to cover it evenly.

Roll the tortilla up tightly.

Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas until all of the mixture is used up.

Step 4: Chill the Rolls

Cover the rolled tortillas with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out, and refrigerate them for 3-4 hours.

This chilling period helps the flavors meld and makes the rolls easier to slice.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

After chilling, remove the tortillas from the fridge.

Slice each rolled tortilla into 1-inch slices, discarding the ends which may not hold together as well.

You should get about 6 neat slices from each tortilla.

Arrange the slices on a platter or tray and serve as a delicious appetizer or snack.