Description
Chicken Pillows are a delicious and comforting baked appetizer featuring tender shredded chicken and cream cheese filling wrapped in buttery crescent dough, coated with Italian breadcrumbs, and served with a flavorful creamy chicken gravy. Perfect for a cozy family meal or party snack, these golden-brown pillows combine creamy, savory flavors with a satisfyingly crisp exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling:
- 10 ounces cooked, shredded chicken breast (about 2 cups)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, softened
- 1/2 tablespoon dried chives
- 1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dough and Coating:
- 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated Pillsbury crescent roll dough
- 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
Gravy:
- 1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet (1 ounce) chicken gravy mix
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set it aside to prepare for baking the chicken pillows.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of softened salted butter until smooth. Add the cooked, shredded chicken, dried chives, dried minced onion, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to create a uniform filling.
- Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and pair up two triangles each, pressing along the perforations to seal them together securely into a rectangle. This prevents the filling from leaking. You will have 4 rectangles total.
- Fill and Shape Pillows: Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the 4 rectangles, placing the filling in the center of each. Fold each corner of the rectangle over the filling, pinching the edges together tightly to enclose the mixture and shape each into a round ball. Repeat with all rectangles.
- Coat the Pillows: Dip each formed chicken pillow into the melted butter, then roll it in Italian breadcrumbs, coating evenly. Shake off any excess crumbs. Arrange the coated pillows on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the chicken pillows for 22 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Prepare the Chicken Gravy: While the pillows bake, in a small saucepan combine the cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix packet, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently until the pillows are done.
- Serve: Remove the pillows from the oven, pour the warm chicken gravy over each pillow, and serve immediately. Enjoy your comforting and savory Chicken Pillows!
Notes
- Make sure to press the crescent roll perforations well to prevent filling leaks during baking.
- You can substitute plain breadcrumbs if Italian seasoning is not available but add Italian herbs to enhance flavor.
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time on preparation.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat soup.
- Chicken pillows can be reheated in the oven to retain their crispiness.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference, especially salt and pepper levels.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
