Decadent Chicken Pillows with Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Introduction

These decadent chicken pillows feature tender, juicy chicken breasts wrapped in flaky crescent dough and topped with a rich garlic Parmesan sauce. This comforting dish comes together quickly and is perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner in just 35 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (4 triangles used)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2 inch thickness. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Step 3: Cut each chicken breast into 2 equal portions for a total of 4 pieces.
4. Step 4: Unroll crescent roll dough and separate out 4 triangles. Place one piece of seasoned chicken on the wide end of each triangle.
5. Step 5: Roll dough from wide end to point, wrapping around the chicken. Pinch all seams firmly to seal. Place seam-side down on prepared baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Brush tops generously with melted butter.
7. Step 7: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until dough is deep golden brown and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
8. Step 8: While chicken bakes, melt 1/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
9. Step 9: Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. Step 10: Add Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and silky.
11. Step 11: Remove from heat, stir in fresh parsley, and pour the garlic Parmesan sauce over the chicken pillows just before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Only use 4 of the 8 crescent triangles for this recipe; bake the remaining triangles separately or save for another use.
• Pound chicken evenly to 1/2 inch thickness so it cooks uniformly and the dough browns perfectly.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother melt and better flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
• Seal crescent dough seams firmly and place seam-side down to prevent the dough from opening during baking.
• This dish is not recommended for freezing, as crescent dough loses its flaky texture after thawing.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in an oven or toaster oven to help maintain the crispness of the crescent dough. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the dough soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

While you can use pre-cooked chicken, fresh raw chicken breasts pounded to an even thickness ensure the best texture and flavor when baked inside the crescent dough. Precooked chicken might result in a drier filling.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in the garlic Parmesan sauce?

You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a little butter to maintain richness, though the sauce may be slightly less thick and creamy.

Decadent Chicken Pillows with Garlic Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 64 reviews

Tender, juicy chicken breasts wrapped in flaky crescent dough, baked to golden perfection and topped with a rich, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. This comforting and flavorful dinner is quick to prepare, taking just 35 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a busy weeknight or a special occasion.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Pillows

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (4 triangles used)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Garlic Parmesan Sauce

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly grease a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
2. Pound and Season Chicken: Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound them to an even 1/2 inch thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper for a flavorful base.
3. Cut Chicken Portions: Cut each chicken breast into 2 equal portions to yield 4 pieces total, perfect for wrapping.
4. Wrap Chicken in Crescent Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into 4 triangles. Place one piece of seasoned chicken on the wide end of each triangle, then roll the dough from the wide end to the point, wrapping the chicken securely. Pinch all seams firmly to seal, and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
5. Brush with Butter: Generously brush the tops of the dough-wrapped chicken with melted butter to encourage browning and add richness.
6. Bake Chicken Pillows: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crescent dough is deep golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, ensuring it is fully cooked.
7. Prepare Garlic Parmesan Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt 1/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
8. Simmer Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, stirring continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and silky.
9. Finish Sauce and Serve: Remove the sauce from heat, stir in chopped fresh parsley, and pour the garlic Parmesan sauce over the baked chicken pillows just before serving for a delicious finish.

Notes

• Only 4 of the 8 crescent triangles in the can are used; bake or save the remaining for another use.
• Pound chicken to an even 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking and to ensure the dough browns perfectly without undercooked chicken.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother melting and better flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
• Seal crescent dough seams firmly and place seam-side down on the baking sheet to prevent openings during baking.
• This recipe is not recommended for freezing as crescent dough loses its flaky texture after thawing.

Keywords: chicken pillows, crescent roll chicken, garlic parmesan sauce, baked chicken recipe, easy dinner, flaky dough chicken, comfort food