Crescent Rolls: Buttery, flaky pastry that creates a golden, tender shell for the filling, providing a delightful texture and convenient base for the recipe.
For Protein and Filling:
Chicken Breast: Lean, tender protein that serves as the main filling, best when freshly cooked and shredded for maximum flavor and moisture.
Cream Cheese: Silky, rich ingredient that binds the chicken and adds a creamy, tangy dimension to the filling.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that contributes a bold, savory taste and creates a gooey, irresistible texture.
Ranch Seasoning: Zesty blend of herbs and spices that brings a tangy, herbaceous kick to the chicken filling.
Garlic Powder: Aromatic seasoning that deepens the overall flavor profile with its warm, pungent notes.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and cheese.
Tools to Wrap and Bake Chicken Crescent Rolls
Large skillet: Perfect for cooking chicken evenly and getting that golden-brown color.
Cutting board: Essential for shredding or chopping cooked chicken safely.
Sharp knife: Helps slice and chop chicken with precision.
Mixing bowl: Great for combining chicken and cheese for the filling.
Baking dish (9×13 inch): Holds all the crescent rolls and catches the delicious cheese sauce.
Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients and stir cheese sauce smoothly.
Saucepan: Ideal for creating the creamy cheese sauce.
Measuring cup: Ensures accurate milk and cheese measurements.
Easy Steps to Make Chicken Crescent Rolls
Chicken Flavor Profile Warm up your chicken with a blend of classic seasonings that will make your taste buds dance.
Chicken Transformation Sizzle the chicken in a hot pan until it turns a beautiful golden color, then break it into tender, bite-sized pieces.
Cheesy Chicken Magic Mix shredded chicken with melty cheese, creating a filling that promises comfort in every bite.
Dough Adventure Gently unfold the crescent dough, spreading each triangle with the luxurious chicken and cheese mixture.
Roll and Prepare Carefully roll each triangle into a delightful bundle, nestling them close together in a welcoming baking dish.
Creamy Cheese Blanket Craft a silky sauce that will cascade over the rolls, bringing together all the delicious flavors in a warm embrace.
Baking Bliss Slide the dish into the oven, letting the rolls transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Tips for Stuffing and Flavoring Crescent Rolls
Experiment with different proteins like turkey, pulled pork, or even tuna for a quick flavor transformation without changing the recipe's core technique.
Replace mozzarella with cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss cheese to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences or what's in your refrigerator.
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, chives, or basil on top before serving to add a burst of fresh flavor and beautiful green color that makes the dish look professionally prepared.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne, or diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture for those who love a little heat and want to kick the recipe's flavor up a notch.
Mix in finely chopped spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the chicken filling to increase nutritional value and add extra texture without changing the dish's core appeal.
Serve Chicken Crescent Rolls for Lunch or Appetizers
Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair these cheesy chicken crescent rolls with a crisp garden salad drizzled with light ranch dressing for a balanced meal that adds freshness and crunch.
Protein Power Plate: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts to create a nutritious and colorful dinner that satisfies hunger and nutrition needs.
Comfort Comfort Combo: Complement the rolls with warm chicken broth or tomato soup for a cozy, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, perfect for family dinners.
Brunch Brilliance: Transform these rolls into a weekend brunch star by adding a side of scrambled eggs and fresh fruit, making it an impressive and delightful morning meal that everyone will love.
Store Crescent Rolls for Quick Reheats
Smart Meal Prep Magic: Slice and portion cooked chicken ahead of time, storing in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in refrigerator.
Freezer-Friendly Hack: Assemble entire dish before baking, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for perfect results.
Leftover Love Strategy: Store cooled crescent rolls in sealed container for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
Portion Control Trick: Create individual servings by cutting rolls into smaller sections. Perfect for meal planning, lunch packing, or quick grab-and-go options during busy weeks.
Homemade chicken crescent rolls deliver comfort with classic comfort and ease. Creamy filling wrapped in flaky pastry brings family and friends together for a satisfying meal you’ll savor with simple joy.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
4 oz (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 package crescent rolls
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp dried chives
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Chicken Preparation: Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper, then sear in extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
Chicken Processing: Allow chicken to rest briefly, then shred or chop into small, uniform pieces and combine with shredded mozzarella cheese in a mixing bowl.
Dough Assembly: Unroll crescent roll dough, separate triangles, and distribute chicken-cheese mixture evenly across the center of each section.
Rolling Technique: Roll each triangle from the wider end to the pointed tip, creating compact crescents, and arrange in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cheese Sauce Creation: In a medium saucepan, combine cream of chicken soup, whole milk, and remaining mozzarella cheese over medium heat, whisking continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Sauce Application: Pour warm cheese sauce evenly over assembled crescent rolls, ensuring complete coverage.
Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes until tops turn golden brown and sauce becomes bubbly.
Serving Preparation: Remove from oven and allow dish to rest 3-4 minutes for sauce to set, then optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions before serving.
Notes
Chicken Prep Tip: Always let chicken rest after cooking to retain moisture and make shredding easier, preventing dry meat.
Dough Handling Trick: Keep crescent roll dough chilled until right before use to maintain its delicate texture and prevent sticking.
Cheese Sauce Strategy: Whisk continuously while making the sauce to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
Serving Suggestion: Allow the dish to rest briefly after baking, which helps the sauce set and makes cutting and serving cleaner and more appetizing.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.