Chicken Crescent Casserole Recipe

The Coziest Chicken Crescent Casserole Recipe for Family Dinners

Comfort meets creativity in this mouthwatering chicken crescent casserole that promises to become your new dinner favorite.

Layers of flaky pastry nestle perfectly with tender chicken and creamy sauce.

Crispy edges and a golden-brown top make this dish irresistibly appealing.

Weeknight meals just got a whole lot more exciting with this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Minimal ingredients combine for maximum flavor, ensuring you’ll impress everyone around the table.

Each bite delivers a delightful blend of textures and rich, savory goodness.

Jump in and make this crowd-pleasing casserole that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Crescent Casserole With Chicken That’s Cozy and Cheesy

  • Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this delicious casserole in under an hour with minimal prep, making it perfect for busy families craving a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Family-Friendly Favorite: Kids and adults alike will love the cheesy, creamy chicken wrapped in soft crescent rolls, creating a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies everyone at the dinner table.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Easily adapt the recipe by using leftover chicken, swapping cheeses, or adding vegetables to create a customized dinner that works for any night of the week.
  • Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Beginners can confidently prepare this recipe with simple steps, basic ingredients, and no advanced culinary techniques needed to create a delicious homemade meal.

Chicken Crescent Casserole Ingredient Overview

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: Tender, cooked protein that serves as the star of the casserole, best when shredded or diced from leftover or freshly prepared chicken.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and helps bind the chicken filling together, softened for easy mixing.
Dairy Components:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp flavor enhancer and golden topping, shredded for even melting and coverage.
  • Milk: Helps create smooth, creamy sauce with consistent texture.
Dough and Binding Ingredients:
  • Crescent Rolls: Provides light, flaky base and wrapping for chicken mixture, easy to unroll and separate.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth chicken filling, best when melted.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Garlic Powder: Provides subtle, aromatic flavor without raw garlic chunks.
  • Onion: Adds depth and subtle sweetness to the casserole filling.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.
Sauce Base:
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates creamy, cohesive sauce that adds moisture and flavor to the entire dish.

Chicken Crescent Casserole Steps

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab a 9×9-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, whip up a dreamy sauce by combining:
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Milk

Stir until the cheese melts into a silky smooth mixture.

Set aside for later.

Step 3: Mix Chicken Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine all the delicious ingredients:
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Melted butter
  • Garlic powder
  • Chopped onion
  • Cooked chicken
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Blend everything until it’s perfectly mixed and fragrant.

Step 4: Layer the Sauce Base

Spread a thin layer of the cheese sauce across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Craft Chicken Rolls

Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles.

Spoon a generous dollop of chicken mixture onto each triangle.

Roll them up carefully and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Step 6: Cover with Cheese Sauce

Pour the remaining cheese sauce evenly over the rolled-up crescents.

Step 7: Add Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating a golden blanket of deliciousness.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Look for a bubbly, golden-brown top that promises incredible flavor.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.

This helps the sauce set and makes cutting easier.

Crescent Casserole Tips for a Cozy Chicken Bake

  • Use rotisserie chicken for extra flavor and convenience, saving time on cooking and shredding chicken.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles and add personal flair.
  • Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep easier for busy schedules.
  • Substitute crescent rolls with gluten-free alternatives and use cornstarch instead of flour to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Select reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup and limit added salt to create a heart-friendly version of this comforting dish.

Keep Chicken Crescent Casserole Covered

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken crescent casserole will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of milk to prevent dryness.
  • Warm the entire casserole in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Chicken Crescent Casserole Accompaniments

Savor Complementary Flavor Combinations: Chicken Crescent Casserole Pairings

  • Crisp Green Salad Companion: Toss a light mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy casserole and add fresh texture.
  • Roasted Vegetable Sidekick: Prepare simple roasted asparagus or broccoli with garlic and lemon zest to provide a bright, earthy counterpoint to the cheesy dish.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to cut through the casserole's richness and enhance its creamy flavors.
  • Refreshing Beverage Match: Serve with a crisp apple cider or sparkling water with lemon to cleanse the palate between bites and offer a light, refreshing contrast.

Chicken Crescent Casserole Filling Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace crescent dough with gluten-free crescent rolls or use almond flour-based dough for a celiac-friendly option.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap crescent rolls with thinly sliced zucchini or cauliflower wraps to reduce carbohydrate content.
  • Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu, chickpeas, or plant-based chicken alternatives for a meat-free meal.
  • Dairy-Free Modification: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives, coconut milk instead of regular milk, and dairy-free cream cheese to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

FAQs

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, the mild flavors of cheese, chicken, and crescent rolls make this casserole appealing to children. The soft texture and creamy sauce are easy for kids to enjoy.

  • Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred or chop the meat before mixing with other ingredients.

  • How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add some frozen mixed vegetables like peas or carrots into the chicken mixture to boost nutritional value. This won’t change the overall flavor but will increase the vegetable content.

  • What type of cheese works best?

Sharp or mild cheddar cheese are ideal. You can also use a blend of cheddar and monterey jack for extra flavor complexity. Always use freshly shredded cheese for best melting results.

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Chicken Crescent Casserole Recipe

Chicken Crescent Casserole Recipe


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4.9 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Comfort meets convenience in this hearty chicken crescent casserole, blending creamy textures with flaky pastry. Cheesy, satisfying layers promise a quick weeknight dinner that delights families with simple, irresistible flavors you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cooked and cubed chicken breasts
  • 1 package (8 oz) crescent roll dough
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×9-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
  2. Create a velvety sauce by gently warming cream of chicken soup with cheddar cheese and milk in a saucepan, stirring until uniformly blended and glossy.
  3. Craft the chicken filling by thoroughly combining cream cheese, melted butter, garlic powder, diced onion, cooked chicken, salt, and pepper into a harmonious mixture.
  4. Establish a foundational layer of the prepared sauce across the bottom of the baking dish.
  5. Carefully unroll crescent dough triangles and distribute a generous dollop of chicken mixture onto each, then delicately roll into compact parcels, positioning them seam-side down within the dish.
  6. Cascade the remaining sauce evenly across the rolled crescents, ensuring complete coverage.
  7. Crown the casserole with a lavish sprinkle of additional cheddar cheese, creating an enticing golden surface.
  8. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, watching for a bubbly, bronzed exterior that signals perfect doneness.
  9. Allow the casserole a brief moment to settle and cool slightly before serving, enhancing its textural integrity.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for a quick time-saving swap that adds extra flavor depth.
  • Replace crescent rolls with gluten-free dough or use thinly sliced zucchini as a low-carb wrapper alternative.
  • Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack, pepper jack, or Swiss to customize the flavor profile and add personal flair.
  • Assemble the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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