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    Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals » Chicken Pillows

    Chicken Pillows

    Published : May 10, 2022 Updated : July 1, 2022 by Together As Family 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe

    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. 

    White plate with a crescent on it with creamy chicken inside of it.

    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. 

    A white plate stacked with crescent chicken pillows on it and broccoli in the background.

    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

    Ingredients needed to make chicken pillows with each one labeled in black text with what it is.

    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. 

    How to make chicken crescent pillows with step by step photo instructions.

    How to make chicken crescent pillows with step by step photo instructions.

    How to make chicken crescent pillows with step by step photo instructions.

    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 ½ 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. 

    Overhead shot of stuffed crescents with chicken and cream cheese.

    A fork with chicken crescent piece on it. Close up photo.

    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. 

    A white plate with broccoli on it and a chicken pillow that has been cut in half.

    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. 
    Inside of a creamy chicken pillow on a white plate with broccoli in the background.

    Chicken Pillows

    Jessica - Together as Family
    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.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 27 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 (2 each)
    Calories 418 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Chicken Pillows

    • 2 tubes (8 oz each) original crescents
    • 2 cans (12.5 oz) canned chicken (or 2 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken)
    • 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese softened
    • ¼ cup sliced green onions (or more to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried parsley

    Breadcrumb Topping

    • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 375° F. Prepare a cookie sheet (12"x18") by spraying with cooking spray, lining with parchment paper or tin foil. Set aside.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, green onion, garlic powder, and parsley. Stir with a wooden spoon until it's combined well.
      * To make stirring easy, make sure the cream cheese is softened well. I put the cream cheese into the microwave for about 30 seconds and then add it into the bowl.
      * If using canned chicken (I always do!) make sure it's drained well and flaked with a fork before adding it into the mixing bowl.
    • Open the crescent rolls and work with one triangle at a time. Each tube has 8 crescents inside.
      Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the larger/wider end of the crescent. Roll up, while tucking in the sides as needed, until the chicken is completely enclosed. Place the chicken pillow on the prepared cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining crescents.
    • In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried parsley, and Italian seasoning. Roll the top of each chicken pillow in the breadcrumbs.
    • Cook for 10-14 minutes or until the chicken pillows are browned and cooked through. Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    Chicken : Use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or the canned chicken is actually what my family prefers in this recipe. It's so easy, no one can ever even tell the difference, and it makes for a quick and easy meal. Try it 😊
    Cream Cheese : I prefer using the full-fat cream cheese in this recipe because it has the best taste and creamy texture. Reduced-fat cream cheese can be used. You can also try using a flavored cream cheese like garlic & herb, chive and onion, or garden vegetable. 
    To make mixing easy, make sure that the cream cheese is well softened. It's fine if it's warmed and really soft. I put the cream cheese into the microwave and heat it up for 30-40 seconds before adding it into the mixing bowl. 
    Breadcrumb Topping : I have never had a problem with the breadcrumbs not sticking to the crescents, but if you do, melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter and brush it over top the crescents before rolling it into the breadcrumbs. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 1115mgPotassium: 234mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 174IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chicken pillows, chicken pillows recipe
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    1. Buffalo Chicken Pillows - Together as Family says:
      August 29, 2022 at 10:16 am

      […] must also try my original version of Chicken Pillows. This one is not spicy, also uses cooked chicken, and the pillows are topped with a crunchy […]

      Reply

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    I am so glad that you are here. I love sharing recipes and I am very passionate about families sitting together at the table for dinner. Even if it's takeout or a homecooked meal, eat together! I hope I can help you find some delicious recipes that your family will love just as much as mine does.

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