I first made this recipe, Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants or Chicken Stuffed Crescent Rolls years and years ago when my now 25 year old son was little. Now this recipe has reached more than 2 million viewers and growing daily.
He devoured them and still will regularly ask to have them for dinner secretly hoping there will be leftovers so he can eat one for lunch the next day. I keep these ingredients on hand as my "go to" recipe when ever I'm in a pinch. To say we LOVE them, is putting it mildly, they are truly a family favorite!
Cream Cheese Chicken stuffed in a flakey Pillsbury Croissant has become a stable recipe in our home. It's tried tested and true. There are many Pillsbury crescent roll recipes with chicken but trust me, this one is the BEST.
This recipe has been updated as of October 2019
This recipe has become a tried and true favorite over the years and we will continue to share this recipe of Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants to all those to come into our home. That’s all I need as a mom to know it’s a good recipe.
I make this Chicken Salad with Cream Cheese recipe using Shredded Chicken, which I make in my Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker. The recipe is super simple, and I can throw together and walk away. However, in a pinch I you can also used canned chicken too. It's a lifesaver when you need a quick delicious meal.
Preparing the rest only takes minutes after a long day and Dinner is quickly on the table.
Don't worry if you don't have shredded chicken ready. You can quickly cook some up, or in a pinch used Canned Chicken Breast or cut up Rotisserie Chicken.
Ingredients in Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants?
- 2 Cans Pillsbury Croissant Biscuits ~ Or any store brand works too
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 2 Cups Shredded Chicken ~ Psst, even canned chicken will work in a pinch
- 2 Tbs Milk
- 1 Bunch Diced Green Onions
- ¼ Cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- and Pepper to Taste
Additional Add Ins
What's. recipe without an add in right? So here are some of our FAVORITE Add ins for Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants.
- Peas, frozen of course. Just rinse and throw in to mixture about ¼ cup is perfect
- Bacon Crumbles. Did your mouth just start to salivate? Oh it's good!
- Cheese. Mozzarella, Cheddar, or even Parmesan. Add some extra Cheese.
- Celery. Celery gives texture and a little crunch. It's good. Try it!
- Bell Pepper. I know, the recipe has bell pepper all ready but why not switch it up with a Red or yellow Bell Pepper. Try it!
With simple ingredients the Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants are the type of recipes my boys have taken with them to college.
Nothing like a little bit of home with a recipe they can handle with their busy college lives.
The each have learned to modify this recipe to their tastes too. It’s wonderful to see them growing in the kitchen and learning how to cook.
How to make Stuffed Crescent Roll Recipe with Cream Cheese Chicken?
I buy the refrigerated canned croissants. These have 8 croissants in each can.
However, when you unroll the dough there are cuts to separate the dough and you will need to pinch the seams together with your fingers to create 4 rectangles per can.
This recipe can easily be halved if you only wish to make 4 Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants at a time.
Please note, my cutting board will only hold 3 rectangles at time, but rest assured you can make 4 of these babies at once.
Once you have your seams pinched together you can place a heaping ¼ cup of mixture on the center of each croissant.
It can seem like it’s a lot and might spill out but I’ve never had that problem. So fill them up.
Then just bring the corners together and pinch to top so they stay closed. I only pinch at the top and leave the little pockets on each side open. It’s cute that way and nothing spills out.
To make that wonderful additional flaky crust on the croissant, take a whisked egg and brush it on before you bake. This of course is optional.
It’s amazing what this little additional effort makes to the texture and flavor of this dish. Yum! Who wouldn’t love the Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants? I’m ready for one now.
Forget the croissants and use this filling inside of a tortilla making a quesadilla. It's Delish! I do like to add some parmesan cheese on top.
You sure can! For this recipe use 2 cans of chicken. You can also use a cut up Rotisserie Chicken and believe it or not, leftover Turkey is also great too!
Typically I don't recommend freezing dairy products. For this recipe I would not recommend freezing once you have the filling made. However, cooking chicken to make shredded chicken takes the longest and I do make this ahead all the time and freeze it. Works perfectly!
Of course you can. Slice open your croissants and spread a nice layer of Chicken Cream Cheese inside. I would still recommend heating this up as the filling is definitely better warm.
I like to reheat these one at a time in my Microwave or using an Air Fryer.
Yes you can. You can make the filling ahead of time up to 4 day if properly stored in your refrigerator.
Of course eating Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants are good, but a viewer asked what other recipe ideas could be made with crescent rolls. I was up for the challenge and here are a few of our other favorites too!
- Easy Philly Cheesesteak Croissants
- Crescent Ring Stuffed with Leftover Turkey
- Chicken Parmesan Croissant Sandwiches
More Family Favorite Recipes
- Instant Pot Tomato Soup
- Stove Top Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Fry Bread
- Instant Pot Breakfast
- Turkey Tetrazini
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Chicken Carbonara
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Candied Carrots
- Navajo Tacos
- Instant Pot Pulled Chicken ~ Easy Meal Prep
- Bacon Herbed Green Beans
Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Shredded Chicken - See Recipe Below
- 2 Pop Cans Croissants
- 1 8oz Cream Cheese - softened
- 1 bunch Green Onions
- ¼ cup Bell Pepper - Chopped and diced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Butter - softened
- 2 tablespoon Milk
- 1 Egg - *optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees
- In a bowl mix cream cheese and butter, until blended. Add milk. Mixture will be chunky if cream cheese is not softened. It's okay. Add in shredded chicken, diced green onions, diced green bell pepper, salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
- On a cutting board, unroll one tube of Croissants. They are all precut, so with your fingers pinch together the cut lines. You will be make 4 rectangles out of the 8 croissants. See Photo
- One each rectangle place ¼ cup of mixture in the center of the croissant and bring corners together and pinch to close.
- In a separate bowl, whisk egg and brush egg over each croissant. (Optional)
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and serve.
How to make Shredded Chicken
- Place 1 Cup water or Chicken Broth in Bottom of Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
- Place 2 Chicken Breasts in Instant Pot on Trivet
- Sprinkle Salt and Pepper over Chicken Breasts
- Sprinkle crushed garlic on chicken
- Close Instant Pot Lid and check to make sure pressure valve is closed
- Set on Manual (Presser Cook) High for 18 minutes
- Allow a 20 minute Natural Release
- Remove Chicken Breasts and one at a time shred chicken with forks
- Use in a meal, or package and freeze for later use
Notes
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Marion
We love these. Question. Can these be made ahead and stored in the fridge before baking? Concerned about the filling making the bottom wet.
Devour Dinner
Hi Marion, I would make the filling and store the filling in the fridge until I'm ready to fill the crescent rolls. Then they will be fresh and bake up nicely.
Michelle Woods
Rebecca,
I’ve made these and they are scrumptiously delicious! Hubby and I LOVE them 😋
Devour Dinner
These are a favorite of ours too Michelle! So glad you loved them
Rondigger
Instead of bell pepper, I add chopped brocollie and water chestnuts. It is awesome
Marcus
Frank’s hot sauce, some ranch dressing and shredded cheddar cheese. How much? Whatever suits taste and heat level. Buffalo wing chicken dip crescents.
Nathalie
This recipe had me at the word cheese 😊. It is very easy to make and delicious. My husband suggested having marinara sauce on the side for dipping, I will try that next time.
Pamela Robertson
These are so good and so easy to make! My husband absolutely loved them and so did my grandson! I will definitely be making these again and also taking some to my 91 year old dad who will be able to easily heat them up.
Devour Dinner
Hi Pam, this is a fantastic favorite recipe. We love all the variations that can be made with them too. So glad you enjoyed it.
Colleen Kahn
I make these and serve them with a sauce of half cream of chicken soup and sour cream heated through. Decadent!!
Devour Dinner
I love the sauce idea. Delish!
Sigrid Howe
My whole family loves these!!
Devour Dinner
I love reviews like this! So glad to hear your family loves Chicken Cream Cheese Croissants. They are a favorite in my home too.
Penny Galloway
I have never ever seen canned croissants? Be the same as canned crescents ?
Devour Dinner
Yes, the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Cass
These are called chicken squares in our home. My mom
has been making these for over 40 years and I make them for my family. They are always a hit!
Devour Dinner
Some call them Chicken Squares or Chicken Pillows and I grew up enjoying them which has been at least 40 years. 😉 It's a great recipe.
Sharon Murphy
Made these for my dad because they are perfect for him to pop in the microwave to heat up a little. He doesn't have use of one arm/hand so simple meals that he can reheat are perfect. I added peas and a little more green pepper because we love both. Delicious!
Devour Dinner
I bet your dad will love having these to eat. They are a favorite in my home as well.
Rachel
They came out great! Thanks so much for posting, it's a great nostalgic dish.
Devour Dinner
Hi Rachel, we sure love making Chicken Stuffed Croissants and I'm so glad you enjoyed this family favorite recipe too.
Karens
Tasty & quick dinner idea – what’s not to like!
Devour Dinner
Hi Karens, Thanks for the great review. This recipe is truly a favorite of ours.
Chelsea
Made these last night! SO good!
Devour Dinner
So Glad you loved them Chelsea! One of our favorite recipes over the years!
Karen
Just made this tonight and I’m making it a regular!! Soooo good. Even my picky eater, who likes things as PLAin as POSSible, scarfed down a couple of these!
Devour Dinner
Hi Karen! My Picky Eater loves these as well. It's been a heaven sent recipe in our home for sure.
Susan Jane Maxwell
I have made these and they are delicious. I have made them for family and friends.
Devour Dinner
Hi Susan! Thanks for the raving review! I've been making this recipe for close to 30 years and we love them
Hema
Thanks Guys, Your Recipe Was Too Fantastic. Me and My Family Loved it. I Will Share your Rrecipe with my friends. Hope they will love it too.
KATHIE SUCIDLO
I have a husband who still doesn't eat meat of Fridays...how do you think this would be if I substituted crab for the chicken?
Devour Dinner
Hi Kathie, you could very easily substitute crab in this recipe. You might also enjoy adding diced bell peppers too! Enjoy
Ret Yeager
I’ve been making this for years as well. I like to use the Garden Vegetable cream cheese for added flavor. I like to use a variety of toppings: cheese sauce, crushed Italian bread crumbs, brushed melted butter. I have frozen for a fast weeknight meal. The ones I’m going to freeze I underbake a bit, then microwave for a minute or so to heat up the inside before putting in the oven to finish baking.
Devour Dinner
Hi Ret, I'm going to have to try Garden Veggie Cream Cheese. Sounds so good! Great tip about under baking when preparing to freeze. Thanks so much for the ideas!
Nikki Krakauer “JustTabandMe”
These have been our favorites for about 30 years now, but the different flavors of cream cheese is inspired! Someone asked about freezing leftovers, but everyone I know fights over the leftovers before we even sit down to eat them!!!
Devour Dinner
I definitely need to try the other flavors of cream cheese. I bet they are so good!
Kelli E
I added more chicken (2 1/2 c) and my family liked it better.
Devour Dinner
Hi Kelli! Adding more chicken to fit your family needs is never a bad idea! So glad you enjoyed one of our family favorites
Sandy
It's a great recipe, I've been making it for years. Except I go a step further. Before baking them, dip the tops in melted butter and crushed walnuts, serve with cream of chicken soup as a gravy undiluted. Your welcome
Devour Dinner
Oh I love the idea of adding crushed walnuts on top. I'm going to have to give that a try!
Randy Griffith
Served on rice with the cream of chicken soup and toss on finely chopped green onion
Beryl
My family loves this dish! I omit the pimentos which we don’t like; also I shred the chicken, it seems to make it easier for me to fold up the croissants and not have them split at the perforations.
Devour Dinner
Hi Beryl! Thanks for the glowing review. It's a winning recipe and I love your adaptations too!
Stephanie
Wow. My family has been making these since '89 when one of the moms from my grade school submitted it in our church cookbook! We use diced celery and add parsley and we call them Chicken Bundles. We probably eat them once a month or so! They are hands down our family favorite dinner- my parents and sistersas well as my own family! So crazy that someone else makes almost the same thing!
Devour Dinner
Hi Stephanie, I love the name Chicken Bundles. How cute. I've been making these for decades and we love them too. It's so fun to add additional ingredients too.