Chicken Pillows

Quick and easy Chicken Pillows can be on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes! Chicken, dried seasonings, and green onion covered in cream cheese and rolled inside a buttery crescent roll. Top it off with seasoned breadcrumbs and bake. This is a family favorite dinner recipe that gets made all the time. 

For a spicy take on this recipe be sure and check out these Buffalo Chicken Pillows.

Easy Chicken Pillows Recipe

There are so many variations out there for these chicken pillows, or sometimes called chicken pockets, but this is my family favorite recipe that gets made all the time. If I told you how often I make these for dinner, you’d probably laugh. They are surprisingly so easy to make, taste amazing (even with my canned chicken hack), and they’re kid-friendly. 

Normally these chicken pillows have a gravy that you pour over it. I am not a fan of that because the buttery crescent is really the star of the show here, so we don’t want to cover it up. 

Ingredients Needed

Here are the simple ingredients, plus all my tips, for what you will need to make this easy dinner recipe with crescent rolls and chicken. 

• Original Crescents – They have store brands of these but I think the Pillsbury brand tastes the best. Make sure you are getting the ‘original’ crescents and not the flaky butter crescents. You will also need 2 packages of these, unless of course you are only making half a recipe, in that case you will only need 1 package. 
• Chicken – Here is the fun part. I might get hate for this, but I actually prefer using canned chicken in this recipe. It is so easy, convenient, and cheaper too! Of course, you can use leftover chicken or even a rotisserie chicken. But if you want a simple, quick, satisfying meal for your family then try the canned chicken. 
• Cream Cheese – I prefer the taste and texture of regular, full-fat cream cheese but you can also use reduced-fat. 
• Green Onions
• Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley, Italian Seasoning – These are the dried seasonings needed for both the creamy chicken mixture and the outside coating with the breadcrumbs. 
• Plain Breadcrumbs

How to Make Chicken Pillows (Chicken Pockets)

Learn how to make this recipe for creamy chicken pillows at home with these easy steps. 

• Step One : Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining with parchment paper, silpat liner, tin foil, or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Step Two : In a mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, chicken, green onions, and dried seasonings. Stir until combined well. 
• Step Three : Place about 2 tablespoons of chicken filling onto the larger end of the crescent. Roll up, tucking in the sides as needed, until it’s an enclosed “ball”.
• Step Four : Roll each filled crescent roll in the breadcrumb + dried seasoning mix. 
• Step Five : Bake for 10-14 minutes! Serve warm. 

Tips For Success

Here are some helpful tips for this recipe. 

• Chicken : I know some may not like it, but canned chicken is so good in this recipe, and it makes for a quick dinner. You’ll need 2 cans (12.5 oz each) of chicken, make sure it’s drained & flaked with a fork, or you can use 2 1/2 cups of cooked chicken. Either shredded chicken or chopped chicken. Or try using a rotisserie chicken for an easy option. Use a good quality canned chicken for best results. I love the Kirkland Signature brand of canned chicken at Costco. A membership there is worth it just for that chicken. 
• Cream Cheese : You can use full-fat cream cheese or reduced-fat cream cheese. I prefer the taste of regular cream cheese in this recipe. It has a richer, thicker, and creamier texture. 
• Rolling Crescents : Place the chicken mixture on the larger, wider end of the crescent. Roll up, tucking in the sides, until the chicken is completely enclosed in the crescent. 
• Breadcrumb Coating : If you are having trouble getting the breadcrumbs to stick to the crescent, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter and brush it on top of each chicken pillow before rolling it in the breadcrumbs. You can also choose to just roll the top of the pillow in breadcrumbs, or the entire chicken pillow. 

Chicken Pillows FAQ’s

• Can I Make This Low-Fat?
  • Yes you can. Try using reduced-fat crescents and/or reduced-fat cream cheese. 
• How To Store Leftovers
  • Leftovers will keep well, in an air-tight container, for up to 3 days in the fridge. 
  • The crescents do get softer, the longer they are in the fridge, which is still yummy but you can also crisp it up in the air fryer if you want that crunch again.
• Substitution & Variation Ideas
  • Breadcrumbs : Italian seasoned breadcrumbs can be used instead of plain breadcrumbs + dried seasonings. 
  • Cream Cheese : For some variety, try using a seasoned cream cheese like garlic & herb, chive & onion, or garden vegetable. If you use a flavored cream cheese I would recommend either reducing the seasonings or not using any at all. 
  • Chicken : This can be substituted with any protein you want. 
  • Seasonings : The dried seasonings can easily be substituted with anything. I recommend the mix listed in the recipe below, but feel free to add more depending on taste preference. 
  • Double or Half The Recipe : This recipe can easily be halved or doubled for a larger crowd. Bake time would be the same, but you will need two cookie sheets to bake them all, and you would just double all the ingredients or cut them in half. All the measurements can easily be halved or doubled, which makes it really easy. 
• Serving Suggestions
  • I like to serve these with fruit like watermelon, strawberries, or cantaloupe. 
  • They also go really well with some veggies like broccoli, baby carrots, and cucumber and Homemade Ranch Dressing. My kids love dipping their chicken pillow in ranch. 
  • Serve with some Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, these Slow Cooker Sweet Carrots, or my Honey Butter Skillet Corn. 

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

• Hot Chicken Salad French Bread Sandwiches – Use leftover chicken or canned chicken in this recipe. This is another recipe that I make all the time with canned chicken and no one can even tell the difference.
• Quick & Easy Chicken Flautas – These flautas call for canned chicken which makes this a super simple dinner idea.
• Fiesta Chicken Casserole – Use a rotisserie chicken in this one or leftover chicken. 
• Pineapple Chicken Salad
• Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
• Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wraps – Another easy recipe that calls for already cooked chicken so it’s the perfect way to use leftover chicken, canned chicken, or a rotisserie chicken.