Bursting with tangy heat and crunchy freshness, these Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups are an absolute crowd-pleaser for parties, potlucks, or light lunches. The spicy buffalo chicken filling is wrapped up in cool, crisp cucumber slices, creating a snack that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious. If you’re looking for an irresistible appetizer that’s quick to assemble, high on flavor, and surprisingly refreshing, this one’s destined to become your new go-to.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor Contrast: Cool, crisp cucumber pairs beautifully with spicy buffalo chicken for the ultimate refreshing-yet-zesty bite.
- Quick & Effortless: With under 20 minutes from start to finish and minimal ingredients, these roll ups are party-ready or meal-prep friendly—even on your busiest days.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: This satisfying appetizer skips the bread and crackers, making it an easy option for anyone avoiding gluten.
- Totally Customizable: Play with the filling and toppings to suit your cravings or dietary needs—the sky’s the limit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups only require a handful of everyday ingredients, but don’t underestimate their power—each one adds a distinctive zip, crunch, or creaminess that really makes this appetizer sing. Here’s what goes into every delectable spiral:
- Large cucumber: The star “wrapper” for these roll ups—choose a straight, firm cucumber for easy slicing and rolling.
- Cooked and shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my shortcut favorite, but any leftover or poached chicken will work perfectly here.
- Buffalo sauce: That signature spicy-tangy punch! Use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce for the best flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a creamy element that mellows the heat and helps bind the filling together.
- Diced celery: Classic with buffalo chicken, this brings bright crunch and a refreshing note to every bite.
- Diced red onion: For a little sharpness and color contrast that rounds out the filling.
- Salt and pepper: Just a sprinkle to season and bring everything together.
- Fresh chives and dill (for garnish): These herbs aren’t just pretty—they add an aromatic finish that makes the roll ups even more irresistible.
Variations
What makes Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups truly magical is how flexible they are! There’s so much room to improvise based on what’s in your fridge, dietary preferences, or palate. Here are some simple swaps and creative twists to inspire your next batch:
- Swap the protein: Try shredded turkey, canned tuna, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian spin!
- Dairy-forward: Add a crumble of blue cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt in the filling for extra richness and tang.
- Heat it up (or down): Go mild with a gentle buffalo sauce, or kick it up with extra hot and a dash of cayenne.
- Add extra veggies: Thin slices of bell pepper or carrots add color and crunch—just be sure not to overfill.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups
Step 1: Prep the Cucumber
Start by peeling your cucumber to get that gorgeous striped look, or leave some skin on for a pop of color. Using a mandoline slicer or a sturdy vegetable peeler, carefully shave long, thin ribbons from end to end. Aim for 6 or 7 strips—thick enough to roll, but thin enough to bend easily. After slicing, gently pat the ribbons dry with paper towels so your roll ups stay nice and crisp, not soggy.
Step 2: Make the Buffalo Chicken Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, add your shredded chicken. Pour in the buffalo sauce and mayonnaise, then toss until everything is creamy, spicy, and perfectly coated. Fold in the diced celery and red onion for texture and crunch, and season the mixture with a bit of salt and pepper to suit your taste. The filling should be zesty and moist, but not runny.
Step 3: Assemble the Roll Ups
Lay a cucumber ribbon flat on your work surface. Spread a thin swipe of mayonnaise (for an extra creamy base), then add a small mound of the buffalo chicken filling toward one end. Gently roll the cucumber up around the filling, working slowly to bundle everything snugly without tearing. If the rolls want to unspiral, just secure with a toothpick. Slice into bite-sized pieces if you like.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Arrange your Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups on a pretty platter, then shower them with freshly chopped chives and dill for a burst of color and herbal aroma. Serve right away while the cucumber is at its crispiest and the filling is cool and zippy.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups
- Cucumber Slicing Success: For the easiest rolling, use a mandoline for evenly thin ribbons—the thinner the strip, the tighter and sturdier your roll will be.
- Dry Is Key: Be generous about blotting the cucumber slices dry to keep your roll ups fresh and prevent sogginess during assembly.
- Go Easy on the Filling: A little goes a long way—overstuffing can make your Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups tricky to roll and more prone to bursting open.
- Flavor Amplifier: For a smoky edge, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to your chicken blend—it brings another layer of flavor!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh chives and dill is classic, but don’t stop there! A crumble of blue cheese or a thin drift of extra celery leaves can add eye-catching contrast and even more flavor. If you want to dial up the color, try a dusting of smoked paprika or a few tiny, diced red bell peppers on top.
Side Dishes
Serve your Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups alongside crisp veggie sticks, a creamy ranch or blue cheese dip, or even a light coleslaw for a refreshing spread. They pair beautifully with a fresh salad, pita chips, or a tray of other finger-friendly party bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange roll ups in a circular pattern on a platter, alternating with colorful garnishes for a “floral” effect. Or, serve individual portions in small appetizer cups or skewered on party picks for easy grabbing. You can even pile them high on a bed of shredded lettuce for a fun, deconstructed “buffalo chicken salad” look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have extra Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups, pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay crisp and flavorful for about a day—just note that the cucumber might start to release moisture over time. Lining the container with a paper towel helps soak up any extra liquid.
Freezing
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, as cucumbers don’t freeze well—freezing makes them turn mushy. While you can freeze the buffalo chicken filling on its own, it’s best to slice and assemble the roll ups just before serving for maximum crunch.
Reheating
No reheating needed (or recommended!) for Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups since they’re meant to be served cold and crisp. If the filling has been made ahead and chilled, simply give it a good stir before assembling to redistribute the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I make Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups ahead of time?
You can prepare the buffalo chicken mixture a day in advance and refrigerate it. For the freshest taste and texture, slice your cucumber and assemble just before serving, as the cucumber may soften if rolled too far ahead.
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What’s the best way to slice the cucumber thin enough for rolling?
A mandoline slicer is your best friend here, but a sharp vegetable peeler works well too. Just aim for ribbons about ⅛-inch thick—thin enough to bend but not so thin that they tear easily.
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Can I use a different kind of sauce for the filling?
Absolutely! While classic Buffalo sauce delivers heat and tang, you can try sriracha-mayo, Caesar dressing, or even barbecue sauce for a fun twist on flavor.
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Are Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups keto or low-carb?
Yes, they’re naturally low in carbs thanks to the cucumber “wrapper” and protein-rich filling. Just make sure your buffalo sauce and mayonnaise are keto-friendly if you’re strictly tracking.
Final Thoughts
If you love playful, flavor-packed appetizers that come together in a snap, Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups will absolutely steal the show. They’re spicy, creamy, crunchy, and oh-so-refreshing! I truly hope you give them a try the next time you want to wow your friends or treat yourself to something out-of-the-ordinary—these roll ups deliver every single time.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 7 roll ups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Cucumber Roll Ups are a delightful appetizer featuring a refreshing crunch of cucumber filled with a zesty mixture of buffalo chicken, crunchy celery, and tangy red onion, all rolled up for a flavorful bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
Cucumber:
- 1 large cucumber
Buffalo Chicken Filling:
- 1/2 cup cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives and dill for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumber Strips: Peel the cucumber and slice it lengthwise into thin strips using a vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer.
- Fill and Roll: Pat dry the cucumber strips and spread mayonnaise on each. Place shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, celery, red onion, salt, and pepper diagonally on each strip. Drizzle more buffalo sauce over the filling.
- Roll Up: Roll the cucumber strips tightly around the filling to create rolls. Secure with toothpicks if needed. Cut into 6 or 7 rolls of preferred thickness.
- Garnish and Serve: Arrange the rolls on a plate, garnish with chopped chives and dill. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Number of roll ups will depend on the size of the cucumber.
- This recipe can easily be doubled.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 65 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
