Description
Irresistible Chicken Pillows are a delightful savory treat featuring tender shredded chicken and cream cheese filling wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, baked to golden perfection and served with a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. This crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish is simple to prepare and perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups Cooked Shredded Chicken
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1/4 cup Chopped Chives
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
Dough
- 1 package Crescent Roll Dough
Sauce
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Spray or Melted Butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot enough for baking the chicken pillows to a golden brown.
- Mix the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken, 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/4 cup chopped chives, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir well to create a flavorful and creamy filling.
- Unroll the Crescent Roll Dough: Spread the crescent roll dough out on a lightly greased surface to prepare it for filling.
- Fill the Dough: Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture at the wide end of each crescent dough triangle and carefully roll them up into pillows, ensuring the filling is sealed inside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup chicken broth. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, then add 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the rolled chicken pillows on a baking sheet lined with parchment or lightly greased. Brush the tops with 1 tablespoon of melted butter or cooking spray for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pillows are puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
- Serve with Sauce: Remove the chicken pillows from the oven and serve warm, drizzled generously with the creamy Parmesan sauce for a rich and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the crescent roll dough with puff pastry for a flakier texture.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of your chicken broth.
- Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the filling.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free crescent rolls and gluten-free flour for the roux.
