Description
Creamy Chicken Pillows are a deliciously comforting dish featuring tender chicken mixed with a rich cream cheese filling, wrapped in buttery crescent rolls, coated with crispy Panko bread crumbs and poppy seeds, baked to golden perfection, and served with a smooth creamy chicken gravy.
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenderloins or breast, diced small
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, melted (divided)
- 2 tablespoons minced dry onion
- 0.7 ounce packet dry Italian salad dressing mix
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Dough & Coating
- 12 ounces big & buttery crescent rolls (about 1 can)
- 2 cups Panko Italian crispy bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Remaining melted butter from the 1/2 cup
Gravy
- 10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup (1 can)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Chicken: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and brown until the juices run clear, about 15 minutes.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Blend the softened cream cheese with 2 to 3 tablespoons of melted butter until smooth. Add this mixture to the skillet with the cooked chicken.
- Season and Simmer: Add the dry Italian salad dressing mix, garlic salt, cracked black pepper, seasoned salt, milk, and minced dry onions to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Prepare the Crescent Rolls: Unroll the crescent rolls into their triangular shape, separating each piece.
- Assemble the Pillows: Spoon the chicken and cream cheese mixture onto the center of each triangle, leaving space around the edges. Roll from the wide end towards the point and pinch the sides to seal, forming a pillow-like shape.
- Coat the Pillows: In a bowl, pour the remaining melted butter. Roll each crescent roll pillow in the butter and then coat thoroughly with Panko Italian crispy bread crumbs. In a separate bowl, place poppy seeds and roll each pillow to coat them on all sides.
- Bake: Arrange the coated pillows on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Gravy: While the pillows bake, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and cook until heated through and smooth.
- Serve: Remove the pillows from the oven and serve warm topped generously with the creamy chicken gravy.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is diced small to allow even cooking.
- Do not overfill crescent rolls to avoid them bursting during baking.
- You can substitute cream cheese with Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat option.
- For extra crispiness, broil the pillows for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
