Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce are a delightful combination of tender shredded chicken wrapped in flaky crescent dough, coated with crunchy breadcrumbs, and served with a rich, cheesy sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tablespoon dried chives
• 1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cans (8 ounces each) Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough
• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons salted butter (for sauce)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, dried chives, dried minced onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly blended.
3. Step 3: Unroll the crescent dough and press together two triangles to form one rectangle. Make sure to press the perforations well to prevent filling from leaking. You should have 8 rectangles.
4. Step 4: Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of each rectangle. Fold each corner over the filling, pressing to seal completely, and shape into a ball. Repeat for all rectangles.
5. Step 5: Dip each formed pillow into melted butter, then coat in Panko breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Step 7: While the pillows bake, prepare the creamy Parmesan sauce. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Step 8: Gradually whisk in the milk. Once added, stir in the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring over medium heat until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 5 to 10 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted. If the sauce is too thick, thin it slightly with a little more milk.
10. Step 10: Serve the chicken pillows warm with the creamy Parmesan sauce drizzled over the top.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or fresh herbs like parsley to the chicken mixture.
• Substitute shredded cooked turkey or even canned chicken if you’re short on time.
• Use Italian seasoned Panko breadcrumbs to add a savory twist to the coating.
• To make the sauce lighter, use half-and-half or a milk alternative, but adjust thickening time accordingly.

Storage

Store any leftover chicken pillows in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in an oven or toaster oven at 325°F until warmed through to maintain crispiness. Sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and gently reheated on the stove, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the chicken pillows before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled chicken pillows before baking. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What can I use if I don’t have crescent roll dough?

You can substitute puff pastry sheets or homemade biscuit dough, though cooking times and texture may vary slightly. Just ensure the dough is rolled out thin enough to wrap around the filling securely.

Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 92 reviews

Deliciously crispy Chicken Pillows filled with a creamy chicken and cream cheese mixture, coated in buttery breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, served with a rich and velvety homemade Creamy Parmesan Sauce. A perfect appetizer or comforting main dish that combines flaky crescent rolls with savory filling and a luscious sauce.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Pillows

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tablespoon dried chives
• 1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cans (8 ounces each) Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough
• 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

Creamy Parmesan Sauce

• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
2. Mix Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken breast with softened cream cheese, dried chives, dried minced onion, and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
3. Prepare Crescent Dough: Unroll the crescent dough from the cans. Press together two triangles along the perforations to form one rectangle, ensuring the seams are well sealed to prevent filling leakage. You will have a total of 8 rectangles.
4. Fill and Shape Pillows: Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of each rectangle. Fold each corner of the dough inward to cover the filling completely, pressing firmly to seal the edges and shape the dough into a ball. Repeat for all rectangles.
5. Coat Chicken Pillows: Dip each shaped chicken pillow into the melted butter, then roll it in the Panko breadcrumbs to coat evenly. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs before placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake: Place the coated chicken pillows on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color and are heated through.
7. Prepare Creamy Parmesan Sauce: While the pillows bake, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes golden and bubbly.
8. Make the Sauce Base: Gradually whisk in the milk, then add the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper once the milk is fully incorporated. Continue stirring constantly over medium heat until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble, about 5 to 10 minutes.
9. Add Cheese and Finalize Sauce: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a small amount of milk as needed.
10. Serve: Serve the warm chicken pillows straight from the oven, drizzled generously with the creamy Parmesan sauce for a rich and flavorful finish.

Notes

• Make sure to press the crescent dough seams well to avoid the filling leaking out during baking.
• You can use fresh herbs instead of dried if preferred, adjust quantity to taste.
• If the sauce thickens too much after resting, simply rewarm gently and add a splash of milk to reach desired consistency.
• For a crispier coating, you can double dip the pillows in butter and breadcrumbs before baking.

Keywords: Chicken Pillows, Crescent Roll Appetizer, Creamy Parmesan Sauce, Baked Chicken Snacks, Panko Breadcrumbs Chicken, Easy Party Appetizer