If you grew up in Utah, chicken pillows were practically a weeknight tradition. Creamy chicken wrapped in warm crescent dough is the kind of cozy comfort kids love and adults secretly crave.
Nostalgic comfort: Buttery crescent roll dough and creamy chicken filling give you that classic Utah-style coziness in every bite.
Kid-Friendly: Simple flavors and the fun “pillow” shape make this an easy weeknight dinner win picky eaters.
Weeknight Easy: Minimal ingredients, quick prep, and everything bakes in the oven for a simple dinner.
Crescent Rolls: Refrigerated dough makes this recipe easy! I also like to use crescent dough sheets. Simply cut the sheet of dough into 8 even squares before putting them together.
Chicken: Canned or rotisserie chicken is a great alternative!
Bread Crumbs: Plain or panko bread crumbs can be used. Add flavor with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning if you use either of these options!
Milk: Add a splash of milk for a thinner gravy, if preferred.
This chicken pillows recipe is my go to when I haven’t planned dinner. I keep crescent rolls on hand because this is my girls’ favorite recipe. And, there’s almost always some cooked chicken in the fridge or freezer.
Prep and Chicken Filling: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray 2 sheet pans with non stick cooking spray and set aside. In a medium sized bowl, add shredded chicken, cream cheese, green onion, and garlic powder.
Combine & Open: Stir chicken mixture well until well combined. Next, open crescent rolls and separate the triangles.
Fill Pillows: Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the wider end of the crescent roll.
Seal Pillows: Fold the sides of the dough over the chicken mixture, then roll the crescent roll. Pinch the dough around the chicken mixture to fully seal it. Repeat the method until done.
Coat Pillows: Melt butter in a microwaveable bowl for about 40 seconds. Pour Italian bread crumbs on a plate for easy dipping! Dip the top of each chicken pillow in the bowl of melted butter, followed by the Italian bread crumbs.
Bake: Place the coated chicken pillows on the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken pillows are golden brown.
In a small pan, add cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream. Heat and stir over medium heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Add more milk if needed to reach the desired thickness. Serve the gravy on the side or pour it over the warm chicken pillows and enjoy!
Gravy: These pillows are delicious with or without gravy! Make my easy gravy recipe, or use store bought if you’re short on time!
2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls3 cups cooked shredded chicken or canned chicken 1 (8-ounce) package softened cream cheese¼ cup diced green onion optional½ teaspoon garlic powder⅓ cup unsalted butter melted½ cup Italian bread crumbs
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup½ cup milk more if needed¼ cup sour cream
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Reheating: Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until warmed through.
Freezing: Cool cooked chicken pillows completely, then store in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating from Frozen:
Oven: 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 8 minutes.
Air Fryer: 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes (best texture).
Microwave: Heat until warmed through.