Chicken (Or Turkey) Crescent Rolls: Leftover’s Perfect Solution
Chicken crescent rolls make the ultimate quick and easy meal. Transform leftover chicken or Thanksgiving turkey into delicious, crowd-pleasing pastry bites everyone will love!
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details.
By the end of Thanksgiving weekend, the stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes are usually long gone, leaving just a few remnants of cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, and maybe a lonely slice of pumpkin pie. But one thing I can almost always count on is leftover turkey.
Enter Chicken (or Turkey) Crescent Rolls—a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipe that turns those turkey leftovers into something new and irresistible! These tasty handheld bundles of goodness have been a lifesaver in my kitchen. Over the weekend, I made several batches for waves of hungry family members, and they couldn’t get enough!
The best part? This recipe is so versatile. When the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, you can swap turkey for chicken and enjoy these delicious roll-ups any time of year.
Why You Will Love These Roll Ups
Ingredients For Chicken (Or Turkey) Crescent Roll Ups
These delicious, warming crescent roll-ups have ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator!
Refrigerated crescent roll dough – Creates a buttery, flaky outer layer for the roll-ups.
Cooked chicken (or turkey), shredded – Provides a hearty, savory filling and makes great use of leftovers.
Shredded cheddar cheese – Adds a rich, cheesy flavor and gooey texture.
Cream cheese, softened – Brings creaminess and helps bind the filling together.
Milk – Adds a touch of moisture to keep the filling perfectly smooth and creamy.
Green onions- Adds great flavor and depth. (optional)
Garlic powder – Enhances the filling with a subtle garlicky depth of flavor.
Onion powder – Balances the flavors with a hint of savory sweetness.
Bacon- Adds a smokey flavor. (optional)
Egg– Brushed over crescent rolls to give them a delicious color and shine.
Making A Roll Up
It’s so easy to make a little roll-up bundle of goodness you and your family will love! Work with one tube of crescent rolls at a time, leaving the excess in the refrigerator until you need it. After opening the crescent roll tube, separate the dough into triangles.
Place them on a work surface with the wid ends closest to you and the point facing away. Add a generous dollop of the chicken or turkey mixture in the middle of the widest part of the dough triangle.
Then, stretch the corners of the dough slightly and wrap them into the center, just covering the filling. I was not too particular about how they looked. When they are baked, they will puff up and look pretty.
Roll up the crescent roll and space them evenly apart on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
The Dipping Sauce
Make an easy dipping sauce with a few simple ingredients.
Mayonnaise – Provides a rich, creamy base with a slightly tangy flavor that makes the sauce smooth and luscious.
Sour Cream – Adds a tangy, refreshing note that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and enhances the overall flavor.
Milk – Thins the sauce to the perfect dipping consistency, adding subtle sweetness.
Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning – Infuses the sauce with classic ranch flavors of herbs, garlic, and onion, giving it a bold and savory taste.
These ingredients create a well-balanced and flavorful dipping sauce that perfectly complements the Chicken (or Turkey) Crescent Roll-Ups!
Things To Know To Make The Best Turkey Or Chicken Roll Ups
Keep the tubes of crescent rolls in the refrigerator until they are needed. They are easier to work with when they are cold.
For best results, you should shred your turkey or chicken with two forks to separate the chicken pieces and then shred it. You can also put it in the largest bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, and turn it on low for 15 seconds. Both of these methods make perfectly shredded chicken.
Softened cream cheese works best. Take it out of the refrigerator an hour before using it and cut it into small pieces.
Wrap the top corners of the crescent triangles around the filling so it does not spill out during baking.
After the roll-ups have been egg-washed, add a sprinkle of kosher salt or a little extra shredded cheese to the tops.
Bake the roll ups on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Variations And Add-In’s
- Change the flavor using diced cooked ham instead of turkey or chicken.
- Saute your favorite veggies, such as onions, peppers, and spinach. Cool and chop finely to add to the roll-ups.
- Experiment with different cheeses like Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or Swiss.
- Add in your favorite herbs and spices.
- Instead of using cheddar cheese, use Borsin cheese.
- Sprinkle Everything Bagel season or sea salt on top of the roll ups just before baking.
- Try different dipping sauces like Honey Mustard or Barbecue.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Delicious Chicken (or Turkey) Crescent Roll Ups
Ingredients
The Roll Ups
- 2 cans Crescent Rolls from the refrigerator section
- 2 cups shredded, cooked turkey or chicken
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese sharp or extra sharp
- 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon optional
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions optional
- 1/4 cup softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 TBS milk
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 large egg
- sea salt
Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2-3 TBS milk
- 1 1/2 TBS Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning
Instructions
The Roll Ups
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Mix the chicken, cheese, bacon, onion, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
- Open a can of crescent rolls and gently pull them apart into 8 triangles.
- Face the large end of the triangle towards you on a work surface with the point facing away.
- Add a generous dollop of filling to the wide end of the triangle. Stretch the top corners slightly and fold towards the center of the filling, covering it. Roll the crescent roll up.
- Place the bundles on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Scramble an egg in a small bowl, brush the roll-ups with the egg wash, and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until the roll-ups are puffed and golden brown.
- Transfer to a platter.
Dipping Sauce
- Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and transfer to a decorative bowl. It's best if it can be made at least one hour ahead of time so the flavors marry.
- Put the bowl of dipping sauce on the platter with the roll-ups and enjoy.
Shop the Post
Click on the items to see more…
More Christmas Recipes
Happy cooking, Friends!
Looks delicious. Do you have a recipe for the salad you show with it?
I used a bag salad, It had honey mustard dressing that went to well with the roll-ups.
Can I make these ahead of time? Either put them together and refrigerate until I bake, or even bake ahead and reheat? I am having a New Year’s Eve party with 16-20 people. I can’t be assembling them in the kitchen during the party. Thank you.
Lyndel in Scottsdale
You can probably assemble them ahead, refrigerate them and then bake them just before serving. Have fun!