Introduction

Chicken Pillows are a delightful and comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken wrapped in buttery crescent dough, then baked to golden perfection. Served with creamy chicken gravy, these savory pillows make a perfect meal for any day of the week.

A close-up of a round, golden-brown breaded patty with a rough, crispy texture, covered generously with smooth, light yellow gravy that drips down its sides, resting on a white plate with a thin black rim. To the left of the patty, there is a small pile of bright yellow corn kernels and mixed green leafy salad with varied textures. The background is a white marbled surface, slightly blurred, and part of another white plate with food is visible in soft focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
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

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon butter until smooth. Add the shredded chicken, dried chives, dried minced onion, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Unroll the crescent dough and press two triangles together to form one rectangle. Make sure to press the perforations firmly so the filling won’t leak. Repeat to make 4 rectangles total.
Step 4: Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the 4 rectangles, placing the filling in the center of each.
Step 5: Fold each corner of the rectangle over the filling, pressing the edges together to seal completely. Shape each into a ball and repeat for all rectangles.
Step 6: Dip each chicken pillow into the melted butter, then roll in Italian breadcrumbs until fully coated. Shake off any excess crumbs.
Step 7: Place the coated pillows on the greased baking sheet and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
Step 8: While baking, prepare the gravy by combining cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the pillows finish baking.
Step 9: Serve the baked chicken pillows topped with warm chicken gravy. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika to the chicken mixture.
Use fresh herbs like parsley or thyme instead of dried chives for a fresher taste.
Try swapping Italian breadcrumbs for panko to add extra crunch.
For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and skip the breadcrumb coating.

Storage

Store leftover chicken pillows in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to maintain crispiness, or microwave briefly if you prefer soft texture. The gravy can be stored separately and reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How to Serve

A round, golden-brown breaded patty sits in the center of a white plate with a thin dark rim, covered by a smooth, creamy light yellow sauce that drips slightly down the sides. To the left, a small pile of bright yellow corn kernels and fresh green salad leaves add color contrast. The background is a white marbled texture with a soft focus on a similar round patty on another white plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh crescent dough instead of refrigerated?

Yes, fresh crescent dough works well. Just ensure you press the seams firmly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

Can I prepare chicken pillows in advance?

Absolutely. Assemble the pillows, then refrigerate them uncovered for up to 4 hours before baking. For longer storage, freeze after shaping and coat with butter and breadcrumbs just before baking.

Easy Chicken Pillows Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 127 reviews

Chicken Pillows are a delicious and comforting appetizer or main dish featuring a savory filling of shredded chicken, cream cheese, and herbs wrapped in crescent roll dough, coated in buttery breadcrumbs, baked to golden perfection, and served with a creamy chicken gravy. This easy-to-make recipe combines creamy, crispy, and savory flavors for a satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 chicken pillows 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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 Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside to prepare for baking the pillows.
Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of softened butter until smooth. Stir in the shredded chicken, dried chives, minced onion, and season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to blend all flavors.
Prepare Dough Rectangles: Unroll the crescent roll dough and press two triangles together to form one rectangle, ensuring to seal the perforations firmly to prevent filling leakage. Repeat to make a total of 4 rectangles.
Form Chicken Pillows: Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the four dough rectangles, placing the filling in the center of each. Fold each corner of the rectangle over the filling, pressing together firmly to encase the filling completely. Shape each into a smooth ball.
Coat Pillows: Dip each formed chicken pillow into the melted butter, then roll in Italian breadcrumbs, shaking off excess crumbs. Place the coated pillows on the prepared baking sheet spaced evenly.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes or until the pillows are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Prepare Gravy: While the chicken pillows bake, combine the cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently until the pillows are ready.
Serve: Remove the chicken pillows from the oven, pour the warm chicken gravy over them and serve immediately for a comforting and delicious meal.

Notes

The chicken can be freshly cooked or leftover roasted chicken for convenience.
Ensure the perforations in the crescent roll dough are sealed properly to avoid filling leaking during baking.
You can substitute dried herbs with fresh herbs if desired, adjusting quantity accordingly.
For extra crispiness, broil the pillows for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings.

Keywords: chicken pillows, crescent roll chicken recipe, easy chicken appetizer, baked chicken pillows, creamy chicken rolls