Looking for a comforting, family-friendly meal that’s quick and easy to prepare? This Chicken Crescent Bake recipe is the perfect option! It features tender chicken wrapped in buttery crescent rolls, smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce, and baked until golden and bubbly. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a satisfying dinner that everyone at the table will love. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or for a cozy weekend meal, this dish is guaranteed to please!
What is Chicken Crescent Bake?
Chicken Crescent Bake is a comforting casserole-style dish made with cooked chicken wrapped in crescent roll dough, then baked in a rich, creamy sauce. The crescent rolls turn golden and flaky, while the chicken inside stays tender and juicy. It’s topped with a creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and melted cheese, making each bite deliciously rich and savory. This dish is easy to customize with different cheeses, seasonings, or even added vegetables, making it a versatile dinner option that can be adapted to your family’s tastes.
Ingredients List for Chicken Crescent Bake
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Chicken Crescent Bake:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (use rotisserie chicken for convenience)
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom, cream of celery, etc.)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese you prefer)
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for added flavor)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted (optional, for brushing the tops of the crescent rolls)
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
This Chicken Crescent Bake is super flexible and can be adjusted to fit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few substitution and variation ideas:
- Chicken: You can use leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even turkey. If you prefer, substitute with cooked ground chicken, ground turkey, or ham.
- Crescent Rolls: If you can’t find crescent rolls, puff pastry or biscuit dough can be used as alternatives.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Swap with cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or even homemade white sauce for a more customized taste.
- Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for added flavor variety.
- Add Vegetables: Add some finely chopped broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms inside the crescent rolls for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Seasonings: Customize the seasoning with Italian seasoning, paprika, or even some cayenne pepper for a little heat.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make this creamy, cheesy Chicken Crescent Bake:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the crescent rolls: Open the can of refrigerated crescent rolls and separate the dough into individual triangles.
- Stuff the crescent rolls: Place a spoonful of shredded or cubed chicken in the center of each crescent roll triangle. Roll up each triangle, starting at the wide end, and place them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the sauce over the crescent rolls: Pour the creamy mixture evenly over the crescent rolls in the baking dish, ensuring they’re fully covered.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the sauce for extra cheesy goodness.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Optional finishing touch: For an extra buttery finish, brush the tops of the crescent rolls with melted butter in the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Garnish and serve: Once done, remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to Cook Chicken Crescent Bake: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Start with cooked chicken: Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for this recipe to save time. Make sure it’s shredded or cubed evenly so it fits nicely inside the crescent rolls.
- Roll the chicken into crescent dough: Wrap each crescent roll around a portion of the chicken, ensuring the dough is sealed tightly to keep the filling inside while baking.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: Mix the cream of chicken soup with sour cream, milk, and cheese to create a rich sauce that will cover the crescent rolls and add extra moisture.
- Bake until golden and bubbly: Bake at 375°F until the crescent rolls are golden brown on the outside and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the crescent rolls: Be careful not to overfill the crescent rolls with chicken, as they may burst open while baking. A couple of tablespoons of chicken per crescent roll should be enough.
- Undercooking the crescent rolls: Make sure the crescent rolls are fully cooked and golden brown on top before removing them from the oven. If the tops are browning too quickly, cover the dish with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Not sealing the crescent rolls properly: Ensure the crescent rolls are sealed tightly before baking. Otherwise, the filling may leak out during baking.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Chicken Crescent Bake is rich and comforting on its own, but pairing it with the right sides will elevate the meal. Here are some serving and presentation ideas:
How to Serve Chicken Crescent Bake
- With a side salad: Serve this casserole with a fresh green salad to balance out the richness of the dish.
- Over mashed potatoes: For an ultra-comforting meal, serve the Chicken Crescent Bake over creamy mashed potatoes or alongside roasted potatoes.
- With steamed vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, or roasted carrots make for healthy and colorful side dishes that complement the rich, creamy flavors of the chicken bake.
- With crusty bread: Serve with warm, crusty bread to help soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
Presentation Ideas for Chicken Crescent Bake
- Family-style serving: Present the dish straight from the oven in the baking dish, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives.
- Portion out individual servings: Plate each crescent roll with a spoonful of the creamy sauce, and garnish with a bit of grated cheese or herbs.
- Add color: Add a side of roasted vegetables or a salad with bright, vibrant ingredients to add color contrast and visual appeal to your plate.
Chicken Crescent Bake Recipe Tips
- Use pre-cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works best and saves time. Just shred or cube it before stuffing into the crescent rolls.
- Make it ahead: You can assemble the dish ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and bake as directed.
- Reheat leftovers: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use homemade crescent roll dough?
A: Absolutely! If you prefer to make your own dough, it will work just as well. Just roll the dough out into triangles, fill with chicken, and follow the rest of the recipe.
Q: Can I use cream cheese in the sauce?
A: Yes! You can add a few tablespoons of cream cheese to the sauce mixture for an even richer, creamier texture.
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the entire casserole up to a day in advance. Assemble the dish, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Q: Can I freeze Chicken Crescent Bake?
A: Yes, you can freeze the unbaked casserole. Assemble the dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Conclusion
This Chicken Crescent Bake recipe is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken with flaky crescent rolls and a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a simple yet indulgent dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a family meal or a cozy night in. Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a dish to share at a potluck, this Chicken Crescent Bake is sure to be a hit. Serve it with a salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal, and enjoy the rich, satisfying flavors!
PrintChicken Crescent Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 rolls
Description
Chicken Crescent Bake is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that combines tender shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cheddar, all wrapped in flaky crescent rolls. Baked to golden perfection, this recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy filling encased in buttery pastry. It's perfect for a cozy family dinner or a potluck, offering delicious flavors in every bite. Serve with a side salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- Crescent roll dough
- Cooked, shredded chicken
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Milk
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Butter (optional for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Unroll the crescent dough and spoon the chicken mixture onto each triangle.
- Roll up the crescent rolls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush with melted butter (optional) and serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or sautéed onions to the filling. You can also use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crescent roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
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