Introduction
Oh, these remind me so much of cozy nights in, watching movies with the family, or even those impromptu potlucks where you need to bring something everyone will devour. There’s just something magical about the combination of flaky crescent dough and a warm, cheesy, chicken filling. And the best part? They are ridiculously simple to whip up! You’ll be amazed at how quickly these go from your kitchen counter to being the star of the show. Get ready to impress yourself and everyone lucky enough to snag one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, these are a weeknight dinner or snack dream.
- Easy: Even if you’re new to the kitchen, you can totally nail these. No fancy techniques needed!
- Giftable: Imagine bringing a batch of these warm, delicious rolls to a friend who’s just had a baby or is feeling under the weather. Pure comfort!
- Crowd-pleasing: Kids and adults alike go crazy for these. They’re a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent roll dough: The foundation of our cheesy goodness! Grab your favorite brand.
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, or you can quickly boil and shred some chicken breasts.
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened: This is the creamy magic that binds everything together. Make sure it’s nice and soft so it mixes easily.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Because what’s cheesy without cheddar? Sharp or mild, your call!
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For that savory, irresistible flavor boost.
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried): Adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. Fresh is always nice, but dried works perfectly too!
- Salt and pepper to taste: Just a little pinch to bring out all those delicious flavors.
- Olive oil or cooking spray: To keep our little crescent roll bundles from sticking.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this party started! It’s going to be so much fun.
- Preheat and Prep: First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, grab a baking sheet and give it a good coating of olive oil or a quick spray with cooking spray. This is super important to prevent any sticking disasters.
- Whip Up the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, toss in your cooked shredded chicken. Now, add the softened cream cheese, that beautiful shredded cheddar, garlic powder, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Get in there with a spoon or even your clean hands (my favorite way!) and mix it all up until everything is happily combined into a creamy, dreamy mixture.
- Unroll the Dough: Carefully unroll your can of crescent roll dough onto a clean surface. You know, like your countertop or a cutting board. Gently separate the dough into individual triangles. See those perforated lines? They’re your best friend here!
- Stuff ‘Em Up: Now for the fun part! Take a spoonful (about 1-2 tablespoons) of that delicious chicken mixture and place it right onto the wider end of each crescent roll triangle. Don’t overfill, or things might get a little messy, but you want a good amount of that yummy filling.
- Roll ‘Em Tight: Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up each crescent roll. As you roll, try to tuck in the sides a little bit. This helps keep all that cheesy goodness safely inside. It’s like giving your filling a cozy blanket!
- Get Them Ready to Bake: Place your beautifully rolled crescent rolls onto that greased baking sheet you prepped earlier. Give them a little space so they have room to puff up and get golden.
- Bake to Perfection: Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven and let them bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for that perfect golden-brown color and a delightful puffiness. Oh, the aroma that will fill your kitchen!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling a little adventurous or just don’t have something on hand? No problem! These rolls are super forgiving.
- Chicken: If you don’t have cooked chicken, canned chicken works in a pinch! Just make sure to drain it well. You could also try using cooked turkey or even finely chopped ham.
- Cheese: Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan would be delicious additions or substitutions for the cheddar.
- Herbs: Don’t have parsley? Chives, a tiny bit of dried thyme, or even a pinch of onion powder would be lovely.
- Spice it Up: Want a little kick? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
- Veggies: Finely diced bell peppers or a bit of cooked corn could add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets from my kitchen to yours to ensure perfect rolls every time!
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle the crescent roll dough gently to keep it light and flaky.
- Soften That Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened. It will mix much more easily and create a smoother filling. You can leave it out on the counter for about an hour, or zap it in the microwave for just a few seconds (be careful not to melt it!).
- Prep Ahead: You can make the chicken filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve.
- Even Baking: If your oven tends to bake unevenly, you can rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.
How to Store It
Leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) are just as delicious the next day.
Store any cooled, leftover Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and delightfully gooey again. You can also microwave them, but they might lose a bit of their flaky crispness.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time and bake them later?
A: Yes! You can prepare the filling and assemble the rolls up to a few hours before baking. Store them covered in the refrigerator. You might need to add a minute or two to the baking time if they’re going into the oven cold.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat these?
A: The oven is your best friend for reheating! A few minutes in a warm oven will revive their crispy, flaky texture beautifully.
Q: Can I freeze these?
A: You can! Assemble the rolls and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed, or thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
Q: My rolls are a little soggy on the bottom. What did I do wrong?
A: This can sometimes happen if there’s too much moisture in the filling, or if the baking sheet wasn’t greased well. Make sure your cream cheese is well-drained if it seems watery, and always grease your baking sheet thoroughly!
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls
Equipment
- Oven Preheat to 375°F (190°C)
- Baking Sheet Greased with olive oil or cooking spray
- Medium-sized bowl
- Spoon
- Clean surface For unrolling dough (countertop or cutting board)
- Airtight container For storage
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent roll dough Grab your favorite brand.
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver here, or you can quickly boil and shred some chicken breasts.
- 4 oz cream cheese Softened. Make sure it's nice and soft so it mixes easily.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sharp or mild, your call!
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder For that savory, irresistible flavor boost.
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Fresh or dried. Adds a lovely pop of color and freshness.
- to taste salt Just a little pinch to bring out all those delicious flavors.
- to taste pepper Just a little pinch to bring out all those delicious flavors.
- olive oil or cooking spray To keep our little crescent roll bundles from sticking.
Instructions
- First things first, let's get that oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While it's warming up, grab a baking sheet and give it a good coating of olive oil or a quick spray with cooking spray. This is super important to prevent any sticking disasters.
- In a medium-sized bowl, toss in your cooked shredded chicken. Now, add the softened cream cheese, that beautiful shredded cheddar, garlic powder, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Get in there with a spoon or even your clean hands (my favorite way!) and mix it all up until everything is happily combined into a creamy, dreamy mixture.
- Carefully unroll your can of crescent roll dough onto a clean surface. You know, like your countertop or a cutting board. Gently separate the dough into individual triangles. See those perforated lines? They're your best friend here!
- Now for the fun part! Take a spoonful (about 1-2 tablespoons) of that delicious chicken mixture and place it right onto the wider end of each crescent roll triangle. Don't overfill, or things might get a little messy, but you want a good amount of that yummy filling.
- Starting from the wide end, carefully roll up each crescent roll. As you roll, try to tuck in the sides a little bit. This helps keep all that cheesy goodness safely inside. It's like giving your filling a cozy blanket!
- Place your beautifully rolled crescent rolls onto that greased baking sheet you prepped earlier. Give them a little space so they have room to puff up and get golden.
- Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven and let them bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. You're looking for that perfect golden-brown color and a delightful puffiness. Oh, the aroma that will fill your kitchen!