Chicken Pillows

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Craving comfort food? These Chicken Pillows are a family favorite! Crescent roll, chicken and plenty of warm gravy make this a meal that kids and adults can agree on!

Easy comfort food is what my own family loves. From Chicken and Dumplings made in the Instant Pot to a pan of Turkey Tetrazzini. You’re sure to enjoy a plate of dinner tonight!

8 chicken pillows wrapped in crescent rolls and lined up in a 13x9 baking dish. Topped with gravy and parsley.

What are Chicken Pillows?

We call these “Chicken Kisses” in our family which I think is pretty adorable. Others call these Chicken Pillows or Chicken Pockets.

Whatever you call them, they are one of my all time favorite chicken dinners!

It’s so perfect on a chilly fall evening. Very filling, warming and downright comforting.

If you like pork chops, chicken pot pie, or any food you eat smothered in gravy you’re going to love Chicken Pillows.

I have to give credit to my Aunt Sandy for sharing this recipe with me many many years ago! I don’t think I have changed it much but I’ve made it so many times over the years that I stopped even looking at the original recipe she gave me.

  • Using refrigerated crescent roll dough and ready made gravy, there’s hardly any fuss and it comes out wonderfully every time.
  • It’s so satisfying to take a bite of a piping hot chicken pocket and taste the buttery crescent roll crust mixed with savory gravy and creamy chicken stuffing. 
  • These Chicken Kisses are a great use for that leftover roasted chicken you have in the fridge but to make it even easier you could use store bought rotisserie chicken! Then just dice it up and add it to the recipe. Huge time saver!

How to Make Chicken Pillows

Step by step photos showing how to make chicken pockets with crescent rolls.

Here’s what you need: 

  • Cooked diced chicken – From a rotisserie chicken or cooked yourself. Use leftover turkey works great too!
  • Pillsbury crescent roll dough
  • Chicken gravy – I used Heinz brand. Feel free to use homemade gravy if you like instead! 
  • Cream cheese – Full fat or reduced fat both taste great. 
  • Butter
  • Salt 
  • Pepper
  • Milk

STEP 1. Mix chicken, cream cheese, butter, spices, milk and onion in bowl. This is your stuffing. (photos 1&2)

STEP 2. Unroll crescents and fill two crescent rolls at a time with the chicken stuffing. Pinch up the corners to create a pocket. (photo 3)

STEP 3. Bake in a casserole dish or baking pan at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. Serve with warmed gravy! Enjoy! (photo 4)

Chicken pockets with a spoonful of gravy being drizzled over the top.

Tips and Tricks

  • If you have leftover chicken, that’ll do wonderfully here. You can also whip up shredded chicken breast on the stove or instant pot to use for this recipe. Often, I’ll grab a whole cooked chicken from the grocery store if I forgot to cook chicken in advance!
  • Not a fan of creaminess? My husband doesn’t love a ton of creamy texture in his food so sometimes I’ll make this meal without as much cream cheese. For those looking for a lighter version or just not into so much cheese, feel free to reduce the cream cheese by as much as half.
  • Chicken pillows are best served right away! Don’t forget to heat up the gravy on the stove top. You can either pour the gravy right on top of the chicken pockets before serving or put a boat of gravy on the table so everyone can add as much or as little as they like.
  • Delicious with leftover turkey too! And top them with some turkey gravy.

Serving Suggestions

I love that these Chicken Pockets made with crescent rolls and cream cheese are easy to make but impressive enough to serve to company! Make this for dinner this week–I know you’ll thank me.

Chicken pillow on a white plate topped with gravy. Pan of chicken kisses in background.

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Chicken Pillows Recipe

5 from 4 votes
By: Aimee
Craving comfort food? These Chicken Pillows are a family favorite! Crescent roll, chicken and plenty of warm gravy make this a meal that kids and adults can agree on!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups cooked diced chicken
  • 8 ounce cream cheese softened
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 Tablespoon minced onion
  • 2 packages Pillsbury crescent rolls
  • 1 jar Heinz chicken gravy warmed
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Instructions 

  • Mix chicken, cream cheese, butter, spices, milk and onion in bowl.
  • Unroll crescents and using two crescent rolls at a time (to form a rectangle) fill with stuffing. Pinch up the corners (makes 8 packets). Place on a baking sheet, seam side down.
  • Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. Serve with warmed gravy! Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you have leftover chicken, that'll do wonderfully here. You can also whip up shredded chicken breast on the stove or instant pot to use for this recipe. Often, I'll grab a whole cooked chicken from the grocery store if I forgot to cook chicken in advance!
  • Not a fan of creaminess? My husband doesn't love a ton of creamy texture in his food so sometimes I'll make this meal without as much cream cheese. For those looking for a lighter version or just not into so much cheese, feel free to reduce the cream cheese by as much as half.
  • Chicken pillows are best served right away! Don't forget to heat up the gravy on the stove top. You can either pour the gravy right on top of the chicken pockets before serving or put a boat of gravy on the table so everyone can add as much or as little as they like.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 114mg, Sodium: 607mg, Sugar: 2g
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

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Posted on May 1, 2020

Comments & Reviews

  1. I have some leftover turkey and gravy in the fridge. This just might be tonight’s dinner! Thanks!

  2. Hmmmmmm!! This looks so fantabulous. I would love it if you would link this up to the Sweet Swap party that I’m co-hosting. Jump over to thestokerkitchen.blogspot.com and you’ll see the button on the sidebar. It’s a 3 month long link party so share all that you want!!!
    Thanks!

  3. Oh heaven help me this recipe looks so delicious! Come over and visit. We have a really terrific ravioli recipe to share.

  4. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite meals. I haven’t ever added the gravy on top, which is a great idea, but I do add 1/2 can of cream of chicken soup to the filling. Can’t beat cream cheese/crescent rolls combo. Love the name too!

  5. These sound absolutely divine! Thank you so much for sharing on Hunk of Meat Monday. I am going to make them the next time the dh is gone since he grumbles every time I make chicken.

  6. Hi! Your recipe was one of the most popular links on It’s a Keeper Thursday! I’ll be featuring your recipe this week on It’s a Keeper! I’d love if you stopped by and grabbed a button.

    And, feel free to link up another great recipe this week too!

    Cheers!
    Christina @ It’s a Keeper
    Follow me on Facebook and Twitter

  7. How cool is this??!! Sounds marv’!

    I pinned it in fact 🙂

    (Didn’t even know Chickens COULD kiss!)

    Visiting from Ladybird Ln Linky Party,

    ~Suzanne in NW Illinois

  8. I make these, in fact their on my blog….Only their called ReeRee pockets, My cousins daughters nickname, because they are her fav also, I made them with ground beef and ranch seasoning, they were delicious…and then I also made them into dessert pockts as well, you’ll have to check my blog out for that recipe!

  9. Wow, these looks so hearty and delicious! Please link them to Sunday Supper stumble! http://notyourordinaryrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/09/sunday-supper-stumble-3.html
    Hope you’re doing well! I haven’t been here in ages!!

  10. These look so delicious! Almost like little chicken dumplings. And I’d definitely be a fan of a warm, comforting meal (filled with butter and cream cheese) as the nights get cooler. 🙂

  11. Oh, my goodness! Am I going to try this one! I have been a follower of yours for awhile now. You have such a sweet tooth (and that’s a good thing!)

    At least I do my laps at the local Y each morning. What’s one…or two more to burn the calories off?

5 from 4 votes

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