Cheesy Chicken Crescents

These soft, buttery roll-ups hold a wonderfully seasoned chicken mixture that turns a regular dinner into something special. The mix of tender, cheesy dough with the bold chicken creates an amazing taste you'll want time and again. What seems like a fancy bakery treat actually comes together super easily right in your kitchen.

I first whipped up these roll-ups for a family get-together when I needed something filling but easy to carry around. Everyone's reaction when they bit through the flaky outside and found the spicy chicken inside was absolutely amazing.

Basic Dough Items

• Unbleached all-purpose flour: Gives the right structure while staying soft when handled properly.
• Instant yeast: Works quickly without needing to be activated separately.
• Plain yogurt: Adds a slight tang and helps make that special croissant-like texture.
• Light honey: Evens out the taste while feeding the yeast.
• Sunflower oil: Spreads fat throughout the dough evenly.
• Filtered lukewarm water: Wakes up the yeast at just the right temperature.

Tasty Filling Elements

• Butter: Makes those perfect layers between the dough.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Brings rich, savory notes that go great with chicken.
• Eggs: Give a nice golden look and help stick the edges together.
• Boneless chicken thighs: Stay juicier and tastier than breast meat.
• Spice blend: Adds richness without taking over the pastry's flavor.
• Sweet and tangy sauce: Ties everything together nicely.

Making Your Dough

Mixing:

Put flour and salt in a big bowl. Make a hole for adding the yeast, yogurt, honey, oil, and water mix. Stir bit by bit until you get a rough-looking dough.

Kneading:

Move to a floured counter and knead for 10-12 minutes until it feels smooth, stretchy, and a bit sticky.

First Rising Period:

Form into a ball, put in an oiled bowl, and cover it up. Let it sit in a warm spot with no drafts until it doubles, about an hour.

Rolling and Layering:

Push the air out and split into two pieces. Roll each into a 32 cm circle. Spread butter and grated cheese on one, then put the second dough circle on top.

Shaping:

Push the edges together to seal. Cut into 12 triangles and roll each from bottom to tip to make the crescent shape.

Baking Preparation:

Put them on baking sheets lined with parchment, brush with beaten egg, and bake until they turn golden.

Getting Chicken Ready

Cooking the Chicken:

Heat oil in a pan. Brown chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden. Cook until they reach 165°F inside.

Resting and Chopping:

Let them cool a bit before cutting into small chunks.

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Putting It All Together

Slicing Crescents:

Cut the baked crescents sideways to make a pocket.

Filling:

Mix the chopped chicken with sauce and stuff each crescent generously.

Serving:

Enjoy right away while the filling's still warm.

My mom always said nothing beats the taste of homemade bread, and these crescents prove her right every single time. The smell while they're baking takes me straight back to her kitchen.

Great Food Combos

These chicken-stuffed crescents go really well with a fresh green salad with lemon dressing for a nice contrast. Roasted veggies like asparagus balance out the richness, and a simple tomato soup makes everything feel cozy and complete.

Fun Twists

Switch up your fillings for something different. Try Greek-style with spiced beef and feta cheese. For an Italian take, mix shredded chicken with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella. If you don't eat meat, try roasted veggies with goat cheese instead.

Keeping Them Fresh

You can keep unbaked crescents in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Once baked, they'll stay good at room temperature for a day. Keep them in the fridge up to three days and warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

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What makes these chicken-filled crescents so wonderful is how they turn basic ingredients into something truly amazing. With their perfect mix of soft, flaky dough and bold, spicy chicken, they always make people smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can the dough be prepped in advance?

Sure, make the dough the day before and store it in the fridge covered. Bring it to room temperature before using.

→ What’s a good alternative to Algerienne sauce?

Blend mayo with a touch of harissa or sriracha, and add a squeeze of lemon for a similar kick.

→ Can chicken breast replace thighs?

Yep! Just be careful to avoid overcooking as it might dry out more than thighs.

→ How do I save leftovers?

Keep cooled ones in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to crisp them up again.

→ Can these be frozen?

Yes! Freeze unbaked crescents and simply bake with an extra 5-7 minutes. Baked ones can also be frozen, thawed, and reheated in the oven.