Healthy Chicken Pillows
Warm, crispy, and oh-so-comforting, you’ll fall in love with Healthy Chicken Pillows Recipe | 7 Ingredients, 30 Minutes the moment they come out of the oven. Picture golden-brown crescent rolls, fluffy and soft, gently hugging a creamy chicken filling that beckons with every bite. And when you feast your eyes on that glorious scene – it’s hard to resist! Whether it’s a chilly evening or you’re simply in need of some cozy comfort food, these delightful pillows offer a bite of nostalgia, taking me back to family dinners where laughter and warmth filled the air.
Table of Contents
As the scents of garlic and warm chicken waft through the kitchen, you’ll be reminded of blissful gatherings around the dining table. This recipe brings people together, creating those cherished moments that linger long past the last bite. With only seven ingredients and a mere thirty minutes of your time, your kitchen adventure will leave you with a satisfying meal that’ll make everyone smile. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s create something memorable together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes in the oven, dinner is ready in no time!
- Irresistible Flavor: Creamy chicken perfectly blends with garlicky goodness, enveloped in warm, flaky dough.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: These golden pillows are as delightful to the eyes as they are to the palate.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a snack, or even a casual gathering with friends.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Feel free to substitute canned chicken or adjust the ingredients for dietary needs without compromising flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Refrigerated Crescent Rolls: Two 8-ounce tubes give the pillows their soft and flaky exterior, making them a buttery delight. If you have a favorite dough, feel free to use that instead.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: 3.3 cups creates a hearty filling. Canned chicken works well in a pinch; just make sure to drain it well.
- Softened Cream Cheese: One 8-ounce package adds a lovely creamy texture that elevates the filling. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Diced Green Onion: Using ¼ cup of this optional ingredient brings a fresh crunch and vibrant color – plus, it enhances the flavor profile beautifully.
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon adds a punch of flavor. If you love garlic, don’t hesitate to use fresh minced garlic instead!
- Unsalted Butter: ⅓ cup melted to coat the pillows and enhance their golden finish. Using unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning.
- Italian Bread Crumbs: ½ cup gives that crispy, golden exterior we all adore. To make them gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Pillows Recipe | 7 Ingredients, 30 Minutes
Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. While it’s warming up, prepare two sheet pans by spraying them generously with non-stick spray. This ensures your chicken pillows won’t stick and will slide off easily once baked. It’s a small but vital step in your culinary adventure!
Mix the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, diced green onions, and garlic powder. Stir until everything is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and velvety. The flavor combination will start to make your mouth water, and you can feel the comfort in this filling already!
Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent rolls and separate each triangle carefully. At the wider end of each triangle, spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture. This amount ensures that you’re getting a lovely bite packed with flavor in every pillow. Just don’t overfill, or they might burst open while baking!
Fold and Roll: Tuck in the sides of the dough over the chicken mixture, sealing them well, and then roll it tightly from the wide end to the narrow end. Make sure to pinch the seams to keep the filling secure. This technique keeps the essence of each pillow intact as they bake.
Coat with Butter and Breadcrumbs: Melt the butter in a microwaveable bowl until it’s fully liquid, about 40 seconds should do. Spread the breadcrumbs on a plate. Now, dip each chicken pillow into the melted butter, allowing the excess to drip off, then carefully roll it in the breadcrumbs for a deliciously crunchy exterior.
Place and Bake: Arrange your chicken pillows on the prepared sheet pans, making sure to leave some space between each one. Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until they’re golden brown and the edges are crisp. You’ll know they’re done when they start smelling irresistible!
Prepare the Gravy: While your chicken pillows bake, grab a saucepan and combine the cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream over medium heat. Stir until warmed through and creamy; if you prefer a thinner gravy, add more milk until it reaches your desired consistency. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t boil – we want that smooth texture!
Serve and Enjoy: Once the chicken pillows are out of the oven and have cooled for a minute, it’s time to serve! You can drench them in that warm gravy or serve it on the side for dipping. Either way, you’re in for a comforting, delicious treat!
Storing & Reheating
To keep your chicken pillows fresh, store them at room temperature for 1-2 hours if serving immediately. For longer storage, move them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you want to savor them later, freeze the cooked pillows for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Just a tip: know that the texture may change slightly in freezing, but a quick trip in the oven will help restore some of that delightful crispness!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Always catch the dough before it gets too warm; working with cold dough can give you flaky pillows.
- Make sure your cream cheese is really soft to avoid clumps in the filling.
- If your filling is too thick, add a splash more of milk to get it just right.
- For an added kick, consider mixing in some shredded cheese or diced peppers!
- You can assemble the pillows ahead of time and bake them right before serving for ultimate convenience.
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting dish that brings family together. Enjoy every delightful bite of these fluffy pillows, and feel free to add your own twist to the filling! There’s ample space for creativity in Healthy Chicken Pillows Recipe | 7 Ingredients, 30 Minutes, so go ahead and personalize it!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. Just shred the meat, and you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken ready to mix with the cream cheese and spices. It’s a great shortcut when you’re short on time!
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken pillows! Just allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. They can be stored frozen for up to 3 months, making them ideal for quick meals later on.
Can I substitute the crescent rolls?
Certainly! If you prefer a different type of dough or want to make this gluten-free, feel free to use a gluten-free pastry or even puff pastry rolled out thin. Adjust the baking time as necessary based on what dough you choose.
How do I enhance the flavor of the gravy?
For a flavor boost in the gravy, try adding a pinch of black pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or even some fresh herbs like thyme or parsley. It elevates that creamy base into something really special!
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📖 Recipe Card
Healthy Chicken Pillows
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Description
Experience the deliciousness of Healthy Chicken Pillows! This dish combines a creamy chicken filling with flaky crescent dough, perfect for a quick and healthy meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated Crescent Rolls: 2 tubes (8 ounces each)
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: 3.3 cups
- Softened Cream Cheese: 1 package (8 ounces)
- Diced Green Onion: ¼ cup
- Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: ⅓ cup (melted)
- Italian Bread Crumbs: ½ cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare two sheet pans with non-stick spray.
- Combine chicken, cream cheese, green onions, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Unroll crescent rolls and spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each triangle.
- Fold sides over the filling and roll tightly from wide to narrow end, pinching seams.
- Dip each pillow in melted butter, then roll in breadcrumbs.
- Place on sheet pans and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare gravy by stirring together soup, milk, and sour cream in a saucepan until creamy over medium heat.
- Serve warm with gravy drizzled on top or on the side.
Notes
Best when served fresh out of the oven.
Can use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pillow
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
