It’s nice to be able to create a meal for family and friends that makes them feel special. When you can do that with not much effort, it’s a win all around.
I’ve been making this recipe for the last 25 years, and it’s a perennial favorite. It presents well, is savory and creamy, and pleases everyone, from children to dinner guests.
These Savory Chicken Crescent Squares are the brainchild of Doris Castle from River Forest, Illinois, who submitted this winning recipe for Pillsbury’s Bake-Off® Contest on October 25, 1974.
Savory Crescent Chicken Squares
Ingredients
1 3-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or 2 5-ounce cans of boned chicken
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon chopped chive, onion, or shallots
1 8-ounce can of refrigerated crescent rolls or crescent dough sheet
¾ cup crushed seasoned croutons
Directions
Heat oven to 350° F. In medium bowl, blend cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of butter until smooth. Add chicken, salt, pepper, milk, and shallots, and mix well.
Separate crescent dough into 4 rectangles and firmly press perforations around edges together to seal. Spoon ½ cup meat mixture onto the center of each rectangle.
Pull the four corners of dough to the top center of the chicken mixture, twist slightly and seal the edges.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush crumbs with reserved tablespoon margarine and sprinkle with crouton crumbs.
Bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serves four.
Notes
I prefer to use cubed chicken breast rather than canned. You can cook boneless breasts however you choose, or simply pick up a rotisserie chicken and use the breast meat from that.
Also, I tend to favor shallots over onions in this recipe. They provide a milder, sweeter flavor that blends well with the cream cheese.
If you need to cook for vegetarians, substitute broccoli, green beans, or a combination of vegetables for the chicken.
While this recipe serves four it easily doubles and is just as easy to prepare for a larger gathering.
Serve with light sides such as buttered noodles, rice pilaf, or quinoa, and a fresh vegetable or salad.
Try this out and let me know what you think.
See if you think it’s Classy AF.