Last fall, during a cozy Sunday craft morning, my college roommate showed up unexpectedly with her two boys in tow—paint-stained and hungry. I rummaged through the fridge for something quick and satisfying, and spotted a can of crescent roll dough. Inspired, I pulled out leftover shredded chicken, marinara, cheese, and Italian spices.
I told the boys they were going to help me roll up “mini calzones,” and their eyes lit up. As they tucked in the dough and I arranged them on a baking sheet, the kitchen filled with bubbling cheese and that irresistible garlic-herb aroma. We barely waited before diving in straight from the oven.
The soft, golden dough encased warm, cheesy chicken filling, and even my picky nephew asked for seconds. That morning, chatting with my roommate about convenience cooking, I realized how food can feel both comfortingly homemade and delightfully fun without hours in the kitchen.
Now, these Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls are a go-to for snack-ready weekends, after-church brunches, and when cooking energy is low but everyone expects a warm, family-favorite bite.
Short Description
Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls are simple, cheesy pockets filled with seasoned chicken and marinara—baked until golden. Ideal for casual family meals, quick snacks, or kid-friendly gatherings.
Key Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tools Needed
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Cooling rack or plate
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare Crescent Rolls
Unroll dough gently and separate into 8 triangles. Be careful not to tear the soft dough.
Step 3: Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Place 1 Tbsp of chicken mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Roll toward the point, tucking in sides as needed to seal.
Step 5: Bake
Arrange rolls on sheet with points down. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and cheese melts.
Step 6: Cool & Serve
Let cool 2–3 minutes on a rack. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Italian-style chicken and melted cheese wrapped in flaky dough.
Fast & Easy: Pre-made crescent dough + simple filling = minimal effort.
Kid-Friendly: Fun handheld size and gooey cheesy texture that kids adore.
Versatile: Great for snacks, casual dinner, or served at parties.
Minimal Cleanup: One baking sheet, no sauce mess.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Tears in Dough: Handle gently and let dough sit 5 minutes after opening to relax.
Overfilling: Use about 1 Tbsp filling per roll—too much can burst the dough.
Underbaked Dough: Check rolls at 12 minutes; they should be golden.
Leaky Filling: Tuck in intact sides and bake with the point down to seal.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve alongside a small bowl of warm marinara for dipping.
Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies.
Arrange on a platter for buffet or snack times.
Great for lunchboxes or casual get-togethers.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store cooled rolls in fridge up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Reheat in oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to restore crispness.
To freeze, bake then cool completely, freeze on tray, then store in freezer bag. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 15 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken is perfect and saves prep time.
2. Can I use pizza sauce instead of marinara?
Yes, pizza sauce adds richer tomato flavor.
3. Is this freezer-friendly?
Definitely, freeze baked, then reheat from frozen to serve.
4. Can I make these with gluten-free dough?
Use a GF crescent dough or puff pastry alternative.
5. Can I add veggies?
Yes, finely diced bell peppers or spinach work well mixed into filling.
Tips & Tricks
Let cheese warm before using—it melts faster.
Sprinkle tops with grated Parmesan before baking for extra flavor.
Serve with fresh parsley or basil for color and freshness.
Use gingham paper liners to serve at gatherings—easy and cute.
Customize with garlic butter brushed on top before baking for an extra-garlicky crust.
Recipe Variations
BBQ Chicken Rolls:
Use BBQ sauce instead of marinara, add cooked bacon, top with cheddar.
Buffalo Ranch Rolls:
Mix chicken with buffalo sauce and Ranch seasoning. Use Pepper Jack cheese and serve with blue cheese dip.
Spinach Artichoke Rolls:
Combine cooked spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, and Parmesan for a veggie-packed twist.
Final Thoughts
These Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls blend ease and warmth in every bite. They rescue rushed mornings, elevate snack time, and lighten my weeknight load without feeling like takeout.
The family loves dunking them in sauce, and I love how quickly they come together. It’s one of those feel-good, kid-approved bites that makes me smile every time I unroll that crescent can.
Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
- Combine chicken, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add 1 Tbsp filling to each triangle’s wide end, roll up, and seal edges.
- Place rolls on sheet, point-side down. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Cool slightly. Serve warm with extra Parmesan or parsley.
