Chicken Pillows

Name: Chicken Pillows
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 oz crescent roll dough (refrigerated); 3 cups cooked chicken (chopped or shredded); 8 oz cream cheese (softened); 4 green onions (diced); 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt (to taste); 1/2 tsp granulated garlic; 1/2 tsp sweet paprika; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; 0.87 oz chicken gravy mix; 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup; 1 cup water; 1/4 tsp sweet paprika; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp granulated garlic; 2 tbsp fresh chives (chopped)

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Busy weeknight dinners need to be not only family-friendly, but also quick and easy and these Chicken Pillows are just the ticket. The whole recipe goes from ingredients to the dinner table in 30 minutes.

Chicken pillows are total comfort food just like our Shepherd's Pie and freshly baked Dutch Oven Bread.

Chicken pillows in a cast iron skillet with a bowl of gravy in the center.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Chicken Pillow Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Chicken Pillows
Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Recipes Using Cooked Chicken
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Why You'll Love This Recipe

They are not comfy bed pillows filled with soft chicken feathers like a goose down pillow. They are something much better. Much, much better.

Chicken pillows are buttery crescent roll dough wrapped around a creamy, cheesy chicken mixture and baked until golden brown.

Chicken Pillow Ingredients

Ingredients for the recipe: chicken, green onions, water, cream of chicken soup, chicken gravy mix, chives, pepper, paprika, granulated garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, cream cheese, and crescent roll dough.

Chicken — can't make chicken pillows without chicken. This recipe calls for cooked chicken. A grocery store rotisserie chicken is a great idea but you could also cook up chicken beforehand.
Crescent rolls — packaged crescent rolls found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store work best for this recipe.
Cream cheese — room temperature, softened cream cheese provides the creaminess in this wonderful recipe.
Produce — we used both green onions and chives. The green onions go into the chicken mixture. The chives are used in the gravy and as a garnish.
Pantry — condensed cream of chicken soup and a packet of chicken gravy mix are the base of the gravy.
Seasonings — salt, pepper, granulated garlic, sweet paprika, and Italian seasoning blend are used in the chicken mixture and the gravy.
Water — needed for the gravy.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

A single chicken pillow raised upon the rest in the camp oven.

Variations

The easiest way to keep these chicken pillows fresh and exciting is to play with chicken filling.

Add salsa or diced green chilies, chili powder, and cumin for a south of the border flavor.
Add Parmesan cheese, roasted red pepper, mushroom, or spinach, along with basil for an Italian twist.
Add diced bacon, cheddar cheese, and some ranch seasoning mix for that classic addictive flavor.
Add curry powder, garam masala, peas, and diced potatoes for a take on a samosa.
Add finely diced celery, bleu cheese crumbles, and buffalo sauce for a tangy kick.

Additionally, coat the chicken pillows in a seasoned bread crumbs, Italian bread crumbs, or panko mixture for a crispy crust.

How to Make Chicken Pillows

All the filing mixture added to a large bowl.

Step 1 — Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add all the chicken filling to a large bowl.

Step 2 — Mix all the filling ingredients until completely combined.

Two triangle pieces of crescent roll dough on a wood cutting board.

Step 3 — Take two crescent roll triangles and press the seams together to form a rectangle. Take care it's fully combined or they'll split open while baking.

Two crescent roll triangles pressed together with a scoop of the chicken filling in the center.

Step 4 — Place a hearty scoop of the shredded chicken filling in the center in the newly formed crescent rectangle.

The crescent dough has been folded around the chicken filling in a circle.

Step 5 — Fold the dough over the chicken filling creating a circle or pillow.

Two newly formed pillows added to a cast iron skillet.

Step 6 — Continue making pillows and place then in a cast iron skillet. Once they're all formed, place them in the oven for 15 minutes or until done.

All the gravy ingredients added to a cast iron skillet.

Step 7 — While the chicken pillows are baking, make the gravy. Add all the ingredients to a 10-inch cast iron skillet or similar and whisk to combine.

Step 8 — Once combined, stir constantly and bring the gravy to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer on low until the desired thickness has been reached.

Freshly diced chives added to the gravy.

Step 9 — Add freshly chopped chives to the gravy before serving.

Two chicken pillows on a white plate with gravy poured on top and garnished with fresh chives.

Step 10 — For serving, plate and pour the gravy over the chicken pillows, top with more chives and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these as an appetizer for any party, potluck, or any occasion with other finger foods like bacon wrapped pickles or jalapeño poppers.

For dinner, a green salad is always a good idea as a side dish. Chicken pillows are wonderful over a bed of mashed potatoes and covered in the gravy. Asparagus and peas or our honey glazed carrots make for tasty side dishes.

Chicken gravy for chicken pillows in a cast iron skillet.

Expert Tips

Cream cheese really must be at room temperature. Use a stand or hand mixer to mix or even a food processor. If mixing by hand, add the cream cheese to a microwave safe bowl and soften it even further.
An ice cream scoop is a great way to get a uniform amount of filling in each pocket.
Check the seams all around the pockets to ensure they are sealed. Press or pinch the dough together if there are any holes or gaps.
For extra buttery goodness, brush with melted butter while still hot or even before they go in the oven.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use canned chicken?

Yes, canned chicken will work, however allow it to thoroughly drain before using.

Will leftover chicken work for this recipe?

Absolutely, shred or dice up any leftover chicken.

Can I use leftover turkey for this recipe?

Perfectly. Any leftover bird will work. In fact ground meats will work too like ground beef or ground turkey.

Can I use flavored cream cheese?

The chive or green onion cream cheese would be excellent with this recipe.

How long will leftovers stay good?

Keep any leftovers in a sealed airtight container for up to 3 days.

What's the best way to reheat chicken pillows?

For quick reheating, the microwave is your best bet. Cut them in half or into quarters in order to allow the filling to get warm without the crescent getting too soggy for 30-60 seconds. You could also reheat using the oven or air fryer for 15 minutes at 350°F.