One Saturday morning, I was chatting with my neighbor’s grandson, Toby, as he dropped by while collecting leaves in his rake. He asked if I’d baked anything fun lately, his eyes always lit up at the mention of cheese. I had some shredded chicken, leftover marinara, and crescent roll dough in the fridge. Figured, why not turn it into handheld pockets of comfort?
We unrolled the dough together in my sunny kitchen, Toby sprinkling cheese despite my warnings. The rolls smelled like melted mozzarella and garlic as they baked, and Toby hovered, counting down the minutes. When they turned golden, we shared a warm roll at the wooden dining table, the crispy exterior giving way to gooey cheese and tangy tomato inside.
He gave me a high-five and asked for the recipe, I knew honesty and simple treats make the best memories. That morning became one of my favorite snapshots: a young helper, sunlit dough, and the joy of sharing something freshly baked that felt like love wrapped in a crescent.
Short Description
Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls are warm, cheesy pockets filled with tender chicken, marinara, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan—perfect for easy family snacks or cozy gatherings.
Key Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough (8 triangles)
- 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 & black pepper, to taste
Tools Needed
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork for filling
- Oven preheated to 375°F
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare Crescent Rolls
Unroll dough and separate into 8 triangles, keeping them intact.
Step 3: Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix 1 cup chicken, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Place about 1 Tbsp of filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll toward the point, sealing edges gently.
Step 5: Bake
Arrange rolls 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, optionally with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Tangy marinara and melty cheeses wrapped in buttery roll.
Quick and Easy: Minimal prep, oven does the rest—ready in under 20 minutes.
Kid-Friendly: Fun to make and eat—great for little hands.
Versatile: Perfect snack, appetizer, or lunch treat.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble before guests arrive and bake just before serving.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Tearing Dough: Keep triangles unrolled gently. If dough rips, pinch edges with clean fingers.
Soggy Filling: Use just a tablespoon of marinara to avoid wet pockets.
Cheese Spillage: Let rolls rest 1 minute before eating to let cheese set.
Underbaked Dough: Bake until edges are lightly browned, avoid pale tops.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve on a platter for family snack time or casual get-together
Pair with marinara dipping sauce or garlic aioli
Add a side salad or fresh veggies for balance
Great for brunch buffets or as game-night finger food
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Store in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days
Reheating: Warm in oven at 325°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness
Microwave: Not recommended, it softens the crescent texture
FAQs
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, just shred it finely and mix with filling ingredients.
2. Can I substitute marinara?
Use pizza sauce or pesto for different twists.
3. Is garlic powder necessary?
It adds subtle flavor; omit or fresh mince garlic if preferred.
4. Can you freeze these?
Yes, assemble and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two.
5. Are they messy to eat?
Just a little cheese may peek out, use napkins!
Tips & Tricks
Chill filled rolls briefly before baking to tighten seams
Grate cheese fresh from block for better melt
Add finely chopped spinach or cooked bacon into filling for variation
Brush tops with olive oil before baking for extra shine
Recipe Variations
Pizza Roll Variation
Replace chicken with pepperoni and fill with marinara and mozzarella. Add Italian herbs.
Buffalo Chicken Rolls
Mix chicken with buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles. Serve with ranch dip.
Veggie Delight Rolls
Use sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and feta cheese. Keep marinara light.
Final Thoughts
These crescent rolls aren’t just cheese and dough, they’re an invitation to slow down, share something warm, and build connections over simple food. My heart stayed in that sunlit kitchen as I watched him enjoy each bite, sticky fingers and all.
I hope these Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls bring you the same unexpected joy and make your own kitchen bustle with chatter, cheese, and warmth.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough (8 triangles)
- 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 & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 375°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare Crescent Rolls
Unroll dough and separate into 8 triangles, keeping them intact.
Step 3: Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix 1 cup chicken, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
Place about 1 Tbsp of filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll toward the point, sealing edges gently.
Step 5: Bake
Arrange rolls 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, optionally with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley.
