IRRESISTIBLE CREAMY CHICKEN PILLOWS

Imagine biting into a warm, flaky pastry, and instead of jam or fruit, you’re greeted by a creamy, savory filling bursting with tender chicken and rich parmesan flavor. These Chicken Pillows are the perfect comfort food, easy enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve at your next gathering, and I promise, you’ll be making them again and again!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Filling:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the “Pillows”:

• 2 sheets (14.1 oz each) puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Optional: Sesame seeds or Everything Bagel seasoning for topping

Let’s Get Cooking: Preparing Your Chicken Pillows

Alright, friend, let’s dive into making these incredibly delicious Chicken Pillows. Don’t worry if it seems like a lot of steps – I’ll walk you through everything. We’re aiming for a Delicious Dinner that feels like a warm hug, okay?

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Chicken

1. First, let’s cook that chicken. You can bake it, boil it, or even use a rotisserie chicken to save time. I personally like to bake mine for about 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until it’s cooked through.
2. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it using two forks or your stand mixer with the paddle attachment (my favorite shortcut!). Set aside.

Making the Creamy Filling

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it! Burnt garlic can ruin the whole dish.
3. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and milk to the skillet. Stir until everything is smooth and well combined.
4. Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. This is your chance to make it perfect for your taste!
5. Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir until it’s evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
6. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. This will make it easier to work with when filling the puff pastry.

Assembling the Chicken Pillows

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
2. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the pastry into 9 equal squares. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry.
3. Place a spoonful (about 2-3 tablespoons) of the chicken filling in the center of each square. Don’t overfill, or the pillows will be hard to seal!
4. To seal the pillows, fold one corner of each square over to the opposite corner, forming a triangle. Press the edges firmly together with a fork to seal. You can also get creative with your shapes!
5. Place the Chicken Pillows on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
6. Brush the top of each pillow with the beaten egg. This will give them a beautiful golden-brown color.
7. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds or Everything Bagel seasoning for extra flavor and texture.

Baking to Golden Perfection

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the Chicken Pillows are golden brown and puffed up.
2. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.

Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Okay, let’s be real. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned in the kitchen. Here are a few things you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Puff Pastry Cracking: Puff pastry can be finicky. If it cracks when you’re unfolding it, don’t panic! Just gently press the cracks back together with your fingers. Working quickly and keeping the pastry cold helps prevent this.
• Filling Too Runny: If your filling seems too runny, try adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken it up. Just make sure to stir it in well so there are no lumps.
• Pillows Not Sealing: A common issue! Make sure you’re pressing the edges of the pastry together firmly. You can also lightly moisten the edges with water before sealing to help them stick.

Serving Suggestions

These Chicken Pillows are incredibly versatile! They can be served as a satisfying appetizer, a light lunch, or even a complete dinner with a side salad. They also make great party snacks! You could even serve them with a dipping sauce, like ranch dressing, honey mustard, or a creamy parmesan sauce to really take them to the next level. For a complete Delicious Dinner, serve with a side of roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. Think of them as elevated Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls in pastry form!

Variations and Substitutions

Want to put your own spin on these Chicken Pillows? Here are a few ideas:

• Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses! Try using mozzarella, provolone, or even a little bit of pepper jack for a kick.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: Add some finely chopped vegetables to the filling, such as spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
• Different Protein: Use cooked ground turkey or ham instead of chicken.
• Crust Alternatives: While puff pastry provides the best flaky texture, you could also try using crescent roll dough in a pinch.

Make-Ahead Tips

These Chicken Pillows can be prepared ahead of time, which is a lifesaver when you’re entertaining or just short on time. You can assemble the pillows and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to cover them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent the pastry from drying out. You can also freeze the unbaked pillows for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

The Secret to Perfect Shredded Chicken Appetizer Recipes

The key to amazing Shredded Chicken Appetizer Recipes, like these Chicken Pillows, really comes down to the quality of the chicken and the flavor of the sauce. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own signature flavor. Make sure your chicken is cooked through but not dry. You want it to be tender and juicy, so it blends perfectly with the creamy parmesan sauce. Thinking about this, I am reminded of Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken. And the same care and attention to detail that goes into that can be applied here.

The Magic of Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Oh, that Chicken Pillows With Creamy Parmesan Sauce! The creamy parmesan sauce is what really makes these Chicken Pillows irresistible. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfectly complements the tender chicken and flaky pastry. The combination of cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning creates a symphony of flavors that will have everyone coming back for more. If you love creamy chicken dishes, be sure to check out my recipe for Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice – another family favorite!

And if you love garlic, consider trying my Garlic Parmesan Chicken or even the Parmesan Garlic Chicken Pasta!

Or maybe you want a bake, then try Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake! These are all great options!

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftover Chicken Pillows (which is unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they won’t be as crispy.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – my ultimate recipe for irresistible Chicken Pillows. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these with your loved ones. They’re sure to be a hit! Don’t be afraid to experiment and make them your own. After all, cooking should be fun! Happy cooking, my friend, and enjoy every delicious bite!

Irresistible Creamy Chicken Pillows

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Creamy Chicken Pillows are the perfect comfort food, featuring a flaky pastry filled with a savory mixture of tender chicken and creamy parmesan. They’re easy to make for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for a gathering, promising a warm and satisfying experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 9

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large skillet
• Mixing spoon
• Fork
• Pizza cutter or sharp knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven
• Two forks or stand mixer with paddle attachment
• Cutting board
• Small bowl

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 egg, beaten
• Sesame seeds or Everything Bagel seasoning for topping optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Bake chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Alternatively, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or boil the chicken.
• Once cooled, shred the chicken using two forks or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Reduce heat to low and add softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and milk to the skillet.
• Stir until smooth and well combined.
• Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir until evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
• Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Unfold one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
• Cut the pastry into 9 equal squares using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry.
• Place a spoonful (about 2-3 tablespoons) of the chicken filling in the center of each square.
• Fold one corner of each square over to the opposite corner, forming a triangle.
• Press the edges firmly together with a fork to seal.
• Place the Chicken Pillows on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
• Brush the top of each pillow with the beaten egg.
• If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds or Everything Bagel seasoning for extra flavor and texture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the Chicken Pillows are golden brown and puffed up.
• Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.

Notes

Puff pastry can crack; gently press cracks back together. If filling is too runny, add a tablespoon of cornstarch. Ensure pillows are sealed well by pressing edges firmly, moistening with water if needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 2 months before baking. Experiment with different cheeses and vegetables for variations.