This Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce recipe pairs tender, savory chicken wrapped in a golden, buttery crescent dough with a silky Parmesan sauce. The pillows are warm and soft on the outside, moist and cheesy inside, and the sauce adds a rich, salty finish that smells like comfort. If you enjoy bright, creamy chicken dishes too, check this simple variation of a lemony recipe for contrast: creamy lemon chicken with capers.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 740 kcal
- Protein: 43 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fat: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
Why Make This Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
This dish is quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. The crescent dough bakes into a flaky shell that keeps the chicken juicy. The cream cheese-parmesan filling adds a tangy, savory layer, and the warmed Parmesan cream sauce ties everything together with smooth richness. It’s perfect for weeknights, casual dinners, or an easy party appetizer. You get warm aromas, a crisp exterior, and a creamy, cheesy center in under 40 minutes.
How to Make Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
You’ll assemble small parcels of chicken and cheese, bake them until golden, and finish with a simple Parmesan cream sauce. The process is straightforward and forgiving. Follow the labeled steps below for best results.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Trim any excess fat from the chicken and slice the chicken into 4 equal pieces (or 8 smaller pieces if you prefer more pillows). Lightly dust a board and flatten each piece slightly so it fits on a crescent triangle. Open the crescent roll dough and separate the triangles.
Step 2: Mixing
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust salt or garlic powder if needed. This mixture should be thick enough to spoon without running.
Step 3: Assembling and Baking
Place a piece of chicken breast on the wide end of a crescent roll dough triangle. Add about one tablespoon of the cheese mixture on top of the chicken. Roll the dough up over the chicken, tucking the ends to seal. Repeat for all chicken pieces. Place rolled chicken pillows seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the dough is golden brown and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the center.
Step 4: Sauce and Finishing
While the chicken pillows are baking, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining Parmesan cheese (reserve a little for garnish if you like) and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat once it thickens slightly. When the pillows are done, drizzle the creamy Parmesan sauce over them and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot.
How to Serve Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Serve two pillows per person as a main with a light side salad or roasted vegetables. For a party, cut each pillow in half and plate on a platter with toothpicks. The sauce also works as a dip for extra bread or roasted potatoes. Pair with a crisp white wine or a sparkling nonalcoholic drink to cut the richness.
How to Store Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Refrigerator: Store cooled pillows in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep sauce separate in a jar for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individual pillows in foil then place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat pillows in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes to crisp the dough. Warm the sauce gently on the stove, stirring until smooth. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the pastry crisp.
Expert Tips for Perfect Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Even pieces: Cut chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly.
- Don’t overfill: Use about a tablespoon of the cheese mix per pillow to avoid leaks.
- Seal seams: Pinch seams well and place seam-side down on the sheet to keep filling inside.
- Temperature check: Use a meat thermometer — chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Make-ahead: Assemble pillows and refrigerate for up to 6 hours before baking. Bake just before serving for best texture.
- Lighter sauce: Swap half-and-half for heavy cream for a slightly lighter sauce, but it will be thinner.
- Low-sodium option: Use low-sodium crescent dough and reduce added salt if you’re watching sodium.
Delicious Variations
- Spinach & Artichoke: Add a tablespoon of chopped cooked spinach and chopped artichoke hearts to the cheese filling.
- Pesto Twist: Spread a thin layer of pesto inside each crescent before adding the chicken and cheese.
- Bacon & Cheddar: Replace Parmesan with shredded cheddar and add crumbled cooked bacon for a smoky flavor.
- Italian Herbs: Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the cheese mix and top with marinara for dipping.
- Mini Bites: Cut chicken into smaller pieces and use each crescent triangle to make bite-sized appetizers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
A: Yes. Use shredded or diced cooked chicken and reduce baking time to just warm the dough and heat the filling. Check that the internal temperature is safe and the dough is golden.
Q: What if my crescent dough leaks?
A: Don’t overfill. Press edges firmly and place seam-side down. Chilling the filled pillows for 10 minutes before baking can help the dough hold shape.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes. Make the sauce and refrigerate up to 2 days. Rewarm gently over low heat and add a splash of cream or milk if it’s too thick.
Q: Is there a gluten-free option?
A: Use gluten-free crescent-style dough or puff pastry and confirm all cheeses and ingredients are labeled gluten-free. Baking time may vary.
Q: How can I reduce calories or fat?
A: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Use smaller portions of dough or serve pillows as an appetizer with lots of vegetables.
Q: My pillows browned but the chicken seems undercooked. What to do?
A: Lower oven temperature to 350°F and bake a few extra minutes until the internal chicken temp reaches 165°F. You can also cut pieces thinner to ensure even cooking.
Q: Can I freeze after baking?
A: Yes, but texture is best if frozen before baking. If frozen after baking, reheat in the oven to crisp the dough and watch the sauce texture on reheating.
Conclusion
These Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce are an easy, cozy dish with a golden exterior and a rich, cheesy center. They make weeknight dinners feel special and travel well for potlucks. For another take on creamy chicken dishes to try on a different night, see the Mel’s Kitchen Cafe recipe for Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce. Give this recipe a try—you’ll love the warm, cheesy flavors and the crisp, comforting texture.
Print
Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
Tender chicken wrapped in buttery crescent dough, served with a rich creamy Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Trim excess fat from the chicken and slice into 4 equal pieces. Flatten each piece slightly to fit on a crescent triangle.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Place a piece of chicken on the wide end of a crescents triangle, add cheese mixture, and roll up. Seal ends and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While baking, heat heavy cream in a saucepan, add remaining Parmesan, and stir until melted and smooth. Drizzle over baked pillows and garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
Serve with a light side salad or roasted vegetables. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 52g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
