Description
Irresistible Chicken Pillows are a savory and creamy baked appetizer featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese and chives, wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough, and served with a rich Parmesan cream sauce. These flavorful pillows are perfect for a comforting snack or party appetizer and come together quickly in just 35 minutes.
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
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
For Baking
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Spray or Melted Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken pillows.
- 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 until evenly mixed.
- Unroll the Crescent Roll Dough: Spread the crescent roll dough out on a lightly greased surface to prevent sticking and prepare for filling.
- Fill the Dough: Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture at the wide end of each crescent dough triangle, then roll them up tightly to form pillows.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to make a roux, cooking for a minute to eliminate raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup chicken broth. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and is smooth.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the rolled chicken pillows on a baking sheet lined with parchment or sprayed with cooking spray. Brush the tops with 1 tablespoon melted butter or cooking spray for a golden, crisp finish.
- Bake: Bake the pillows in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
- Serve with Sauce: Remove the pillows from the oven and drizzle the warm creamy Parmesan sauce over them before serving for a rich and flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh herbs like parsley or dill for the chives for different flavor variations.
- For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing with the shredded chicken.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a few minutes longer, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- These pillows can be made ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
