If you grew up in Utah, chicken pillows were practically a weeknight tradition. Creamy chicken wrapped in warm crescent dough is the kind of cozy comfort kids love and adults secretly crave.
Why This Utah Classic Still Hits
- Nostalgic comfort: Buttery crescent roll dough and creamy chicken filling give you that classic Utah-style coziness in every bite.
- Kid-Friendly: Simple flavors and the fun “pillow” shape make this an easy weeknight dinner win picky eaters.
- Weeknight Easy: Minimal ingredients, quick prep, and everything bakes in the oven for a simple dinner.
Chicken Pillow Ingredients
- Crescent Rolls: Refrigerated dough makes this recipe easy! I also like to use crescent dough sheets. Simply cut the sheet of dough into 8 even squares before putting them together.
- Chicken: Canned or rotisserie chicken is a great alternative!
- Bread Crumbs: Plain or panko bread crumbs can be used. Add flavor with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning if you use either of these options!
- Milk: Add a splash of milk for a thinner gravy, if preferred.
How to Make Chicken Pillows
This chicken pillows recipe is my go to when I haven’t planned dinner. I keep crescent rolls on hand because this is my girls’ favorite recipe. And, there’s almost always some cooked chicken in the fridge or freezer.
Chicken Pillows
- Prep and Chicken Filling: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray 2 sheet pans with non stick cooking spray and set aside. In a medium sized bowl, add shredded chicken, cream cheese, green onion, and garlic powder.
- Combine & Open: Stir chicken mixture well until well combined. Next, open crescent rolls and separate the triangles.
- Fill Pillows: Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the wider end of the crescent roll.
- Seal Pillows: Fold the sides of the dough over the chicken mixture, then roll the crescent roll. Pinch the dough around the chicken mixture to fully seal it. Repeat the method until done.
- Coat Pillows: Melt butter in a microwaveable bowl for about 40 seconds. Pour Italian bread crumbs on a plate for easy dipping! Dip the top of each chicken pillow in the bowl of melted butter, followed by the Italian bread crumbs.
- Bake: Place the coated chicken pillows on the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken pillows are golden brown.
Chicken Gravy
- In a small pan, add cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream. Heat and stir over medium heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add more milk if needed to reach the desired thickness. Serve the gravy on the side or pour it over the warm chicken pillows and enjoy!
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Gravy: These pillows are delicious with or without gravy! Make my easy gravy recipe, or use store bought if you’re short on time!
Chicken Pillows
#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }
Ingredients
Chicken Pillows
- 2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken or canned chicken
- 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese
- ¼ cup diced green onion optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
Chicken Gravy
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk more if needed
- ¼ cup sour cream
Instructions
Chicken Pillows
-
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray 2 sheet pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
-
In a medium-sized bowl, combine 3 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese, ¼ cup diced green onion, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir until well combined.
-
Open 2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls and separate the triangles. Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the wider end of the crescent roll.
-
Fold the sides of the dough over the chicken mixture and roll up the crescent roll. Pinch the dough around the chicken mixture to fully seal it. Repeat the method with the remaining crescents.
-
Melt ⅓ cup unsalted butter in a microwaveable bowl for about 40 seconds. Pour ½ cup Italian bread crumbs on a plate for easy dipping! Dip the top of each chicken pillow in the bowl of melted butter, followed by the plate of breadcrumbs.
-
Place the coated chicken pillows on the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken pillows are golden brown.
Chicken Gravy
-
In a small saucepan, add 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, ½ cup milk, and ¼ cup sour cream. Heat and stir over medium heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add more milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
-
Serve the gravy on the side or pour it over the warm chicken pillows and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- Reheating: Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until warmed through.
- Freezing: Cool cooked chicken pillows completely, then store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheating from Frozen:
- Oven: 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Air Fryer: 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes (best texture).
- Microwave: Heat until warmed through.
Nutrition
More Simple Chicken Recipes
This story originally appeared on TheRecipeCritic
