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Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls

Featured in Irresistible Tasty Bites.

Crescent roll dough gets filled with a mixture of shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, and seasonings, then baked until golden. Makes 8 rolls in 30 minutes for easy appetizers or snacks.
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emliy for recipes by clare
Updated on Thu, 11 Sep 2025 01:12:32 GMT
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls Pin it
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls | recipesbyclare.com

These chicken crescent rolls came about when I was staring at a rotisserie chicken carcass and trying to figure out what to do with the leftover meat. My kids had been complaining about everything I suggested for dinner, and I was running out of patience and ideas. I remembered seeing someone make something similar at a potluck years ago, so I decided to give it a shot with what I had on hand.

My sister stopped by while these were in the oven and ended up staying for dinner because she said the smell was making her stomach growl. She's usually pretty skeptical of my cooking experiments, but she went back for seconds and asked me to write down what I did. Her kids are even pickier than mine, so that was high praise.

What You'll Need

  • Crescent roll dough: The refrigerated kind that comes in a tube
  • Cooked chicken: Rotisserie works great, or any leftover chicken you have
  • Cream cheese: Let it sit out so it's soft enough to mix easily
  • Cheddar cheese: Sharp tastes better than mild here
  • Basic seasonings: Garlic powder, parsley, salt, pepper
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls Pin it
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls | recipesbyclare.com

How I Make Them

Mix up the filling:
Shred your chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix it with the softened cream cheese. Add the cheddar, garlic powder, parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Taste it and adjust if needed.
Work with the dough:
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into triangles. Don't worry if it tears a little - just press it back together.
Fill and roll:
Put about a tablespoon of filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll toward the point, tucking in the sides so nothing falls out during baking.
Bake until done:
Place them seam-side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for about 12-15 minutes until they're golden brown and puffed up.
Let them cool:
Wait at least five minutes before serving or the filling will be molten hot.

I definitely made mistakes the first time. Put way too much filling in each one and they exploded all over the baking sheet. Looked like a cheese bomb went off in my oven. Now I use less filling and really make sure to pinch those edges closed.

What Goes With Them

These are pretty rich, so I usually serve them with something light like a salad or steamed broccoli. They're filling enough to be dinner on their own though. Good for lunch boxes too since kids can eat them with their hands.

Ways to Change It Up

You could add different things to the filling - diced peppers, onions, different cheeses. Buffalo sauce mixed in makes them taste like buffalo chicken dip. Ranch seasoning instead of garlic powder gives them a different flavor profile that some people prefer.

Storage Reality

Best eaten fresh, but leftovers keep okay in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat in the oven rather than microwave to keep the dough from getting soggy. They don't freeze well once baked - the texture gets weird.

Tips That Help

Work fast with the dough - It gets stickier as it warms up

Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls Pin it
Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls | recipesbyclare.com

This recipe has become one of those things I make when I need something that feels more special than just reheating leftovers but doesn't require much planning or exotic ingredients. The kids get excited when they see me pulling out the crescent roll tubes because they know something good is coming. Sometimes the simplest combinations work the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, any cooked chicken works great - leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even grilled chicken. Just shred it into bite-sized pieces.
→ How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?
Don't overfill each triangle and make sure to tuck in the sides as you roll. Place the rolls seam-side down on the baking sheet.
→ Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble them a few hours ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready. They're best served fresh and warm from the oven.
→ What other cheeses can I use?
Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a cheese blend all work well. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts nicely.
→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes to crisp up the outside again.

Cheesy Chicken Crescent Rolls

Buttery crescent rolls stuffed with a creamy mixture of shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cheddar for the perfect comfort food bite.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Tasty Bites

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 rolls)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Dough

01 1 can (8 ounces) crescent roll dough
02 Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing

→ Chicken Filling

03 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
04 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
05 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 1 tablespoon fresh or dried parsley, chopped
08 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 02

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined and creamy.

Step 03

Open the can of crescent roll dough and carefully unroll it on a clean work surface. Separate into 8 individual triangular pieces along the perforated lines.

Step 04

Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling at the wide end of each dough triangle. Roll the dough from the wide end toward the pointed end, gently tucking in the sides as you roll to keep the filling secure.

Step 05

Place each rolled crescent on the prepared baking sheet with the pointed end tucked underneath to prevent unrolling. Leave some space between each roll for even baking.

Step 06

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the rolls are golden brown and puffed up. The dough should be fully cooked and flaky.

Step 07

Let the rolls cool for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly. Serve warm while the cheese is still melty.

Notes

  1. These handheld rolls make perfect appetizers, snacks, or light lunch options that everyone will love.
  2. Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in your filling.
  3. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe and saves time on preparation.
  4. Don't overfill the dough triangles or the filling may leak out during baking.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking sheet
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Clean work surface for rolling

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream cheese, cheddar cheese)
  • Contains gluten (crescent roll dough)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 235
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 14 g