Chicken Crescent Roll Ups offer a delightful blend of creamy chicken filling wrapped in a golden, flaky crescent roll. This recipe is an excellent choice for a cozy family dinner or as a comforting meal on a busy weekday. Not only is it delicious and satisfying, but it’s also incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for both experienced cooks and beginners alike.
Choosing the Ingredients
- Chicken: Opt for cooked and shredded chicken for ease and convenience. You can use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken. Each option brings its own unique flavor to the dish.
- Crescent Rolls: Store-bought crescent roll dough is a time-saver. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, homemade dough can be used for a more personalized touch.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This is the base for the creamy mixture. You can also experiment with cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different taste.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is recommended for its sharp flavor, but feel free to try other varieties like mozzarella or a mixed cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
- Milk: Whole milk gives a rich taste, but you can substitute it with a lower-fat version or even a plant-based milk if you prefer.
Preparation Tips and Variations
- Vegetable Add-ins: For a more nutritious twist, consider adding finely chopped vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the chicken mixture.
- Spices and Herbs: Enhance the flavor by adding herbs like parsley, chives, or dill, and spices like garlic powder or paprika to the chicken or the soup mixture.
- Sauce Variations: Experiment with adding a little bit of mustard, hot sauce, or even a spoonful of pesto to the soup mixture for an extra flavor kick.
- Healthy Substitutions: For a lighter version, use low-fat cream of chicken soup and reduced-fat cheese. You can also try a gluten-free crescent roll dough if you’re catering to dietary restrictions.
Chicken Crescent Roll Ups Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups of cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 can (8 oz) of crescent roll dough
- 1 can (10.75 oz) of condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and grease it lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- Soup Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, combine your milk, cream of chicken soup, and grated cheddar cheese. Stir these ingredients until they are well mixed. Then, spread about ⅓ cup of this mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
- Assembling Crescent Rolls: Open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll it, separating the dough into individual triangles. On the wider end of each triangle, place a small amount of the shredded chicken and about 1 teaspoon of your previously prepared soup mixture.
- Rolling the Dough: Gently roll the dough starting from the chicken-loaded end towards the pointed end of the triangle, creating a crescent shape. Arrange these rolled crescents in your greased baking dish.
- Final Touch: Once all the crescents are neatly placed in the dish, take the remaining soup and milk mixture and pour it over and around the rolls.
- Baking: Place your baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until you see the crescents turn a golden brown color and the sauce bubbling.
- Serving: Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving. This dish is best enjoyed warm, offering a creamy and savory experience with each bite.
