Introduction

Chicken Pillows are a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal. These golden, crispy pockets stuffed with creamy chicken filling and served with savory gravy make for an irresistible treat. They are easy to prepare and sure to impress your family and friends.

A round, golden brown crab cake with a coarse textured crust sits in the center of a white plate with a thin dark rim. The cake is covered with a thick, creamy pale yellow sauce that smoothly drips over one side. On the left side of the plate, there is a small bunch of fresh, green leafy salad and some bright yellow corn kernels. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

10 ounces cooked, shredded chicken breast (about 2 cups)
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 Tablespoon salted butter (softened)
1/2 Tablespoon dried chives
1/2 Tablespoon dried minced onion
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated Pillsbury crescent roll dough
1/4 cup salted butter (melted)
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
1 packet (1 ounce) chicken gravy mix
3/4 cup water

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick spray and set aside.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and 1 tablespoon softened butter together until smooth. Add the shredded chicken, dried chives, minced onion, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine evenly.
Step 3: Unroll the crescent dough and press together two triangles to form one rectangle. Ensure you press the perforations well to prevent the filling from leaking. Repeat to create 4 rectangles total.
Step 4: Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the 4 crescent rectangles, placing it in the center of each. Fold each corner over the filling to cover it completely, pressing to seal and shaping each into a ball. Repeat for all rectangles.
Step 5: Dip each chicken pillow into the melted butter, then roll in the Italian breadcrumbs to coat. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs. Arrange the coated pillows on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7: While baking, prepare the gravy by combining the cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the pillows are ready.
Step 8: Serve the baked chicken pillows hot, generously topped with the warm chicken gravy. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the chicken mixture.
You can substitute the Italian breadcrumbs with panko for a crunchier texture.
Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-sodium soup for a lighter version of this dish.
If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the filling mixture.

Storage

Store leftover chicken pillows in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes to keep them crispy, or heat in the microwave if short on time, though they may become softer. Store the gravy separately and warm before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up of a single crab cake sliced in half, placed on a white plate with a few crumbs around it. The crab cake has three layers: a crispy, golden-brown breaded outer crust, a thick and flaky white crab meat filling mixed with small bits of herbs, and a smooth, creamy pale yellow sauce generously poured on top that slightly drips down the sides. Part of the crab cake filling spills out onto the plate, showing its moist and tender texture. Some mixed green leafy salad is slightly visible blurred in the background on the same plate. The plate is set on a wooden surface, but the background is changed to a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh chicken instead of cooked chicken breast?

It’s best to use cooked, shredded chicken for this recipe to avoid overcooking the crescent dough. If using raw chicken, cook it fully first before shredding and mixing.

Can I freeze Chicken Pillows?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked chicken pillows by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring to a freezer-safe container. Bake them frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Store the gravy separately in the freezer and thaw before reheating.