This Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Bake is a tasty twist on pizza! Flaky crescent rolls wrap around spicy chicken and cheese, making it a perfect party dish.
If you’re like me, you might end up eating more than one piece—it’s just that good! Serve it with ranch for a fun kick. Your friends will love it too! 🐔🥳
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: This is the star of the dish, providing a flaky and buttery base. You could swap it out for puff pastry if you prefer, but keep in mind it may bake differently.
Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe super easy! If you don’t have any, poached chicken works great too. Tofu or chickpeas can be used for a vegetarian version.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: This brings the heat! Feel free to adjust the amount based on your heat tolerance. For a milder flavor, try a BBQ sauce mixed with a little hot sauce.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds creaminess, but you can use a vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free option, or even sour cream for a lighter texture.
Cheddar Cheese: This is my go-to for flavor, but a blend of cheeses like mozzarella, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack can add a nice twist. Just be careful with the moisture content in softer cheeses.
How Do I Ensure My Crescent Rolls Bake Perfectly?
Making perfect crescent rolls requires a bit of attention during preparation. Here are a few tips:
- Temperature: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing. This helps it blend smoothly, which is key for that creamy filling.
- Rolling the Dough: When rolling the crescent dough, seal the edges well. This prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on the rolls towards the end. Ovens can vary, so aim for that lovely golden brown. They should puff up and become flaky.
- Cooling: Let them sit for a few minutes after baking to firm up a bit. This makes them easier to handle when serving.
Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Bake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bake:
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached chicken works well)
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Bake takes about 15 minutes to prepare. After that, you’ll bake it for 18-22 minutes. So, set aside around 40 minutes total from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, lightly grease a round baking dish (about 9-inch diameter) or another similar pan so the rolls don’t stick.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken and buffalo wing sauce. Mix it well with a spoon or spatula until the chicken is fully coated in the saucy goodness.
3. Mix the Cheesy Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to blend everything until it’s smooth and well combined.
4. Combine Chicken and Cheese:
Add the buffalo chicken into the cheese mixture and stir gently until it’s all evenly mixed together. This creates a creamy, spicy filling.
5. Unroll the Crescents:
Carefully unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles. If your triangles are large, you might want to cut each in half to make smaller pieces that are easier to handle.
6. Fill and Roll the Crescents:
Take a spoonful of the buffalo chicken mixture and place it on the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Roll it up tightly from the wide end to the narrow end, making sure to seal the edges well to keep the filling from leaking out.
7. Arrange in Baking Dish:
Place the rolled crescent pieces seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, arranging them close together in a circular pattern. This way, they’ll bake up nice and golden together!
8. Bake:
Pop the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
9. Cool and Garnish:
Once done, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. You can garnish with additional chopped green onions and fresh parsley for a touch of color and flavor.
10. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the hot Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Bake warm. It’s great on its own, or you can offer ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping!
Enjoy this cheesy, spicy Buffalo Chicken pull-apart bake as a delicious appetizer or snack!
Can I Use Lower-Fat Cream Cheese?
Absolutely! Lower-fat cream cheese can be used for this recipe. Just keep in mind that it might be a bit softer, so ensure it’s well-blended with other ingredients to maintain that creamy texture.
How Can I Make This Recipe Spicy?
If you want to up the heat, consider adding more buffalo wing sauce to the filling or incorporating diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes into the mixture. You can also serve it with a spicy dipping sauce!
What If I Don’t Have Crescent Roll Dough?
No problem! You can substitute it with puff pastry or even biscuit dough if preferred. Just roll it out and follow the same filling and baking instructions. Adjust the baking time as needed based on the dough type.
Can I Freeze Leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers! Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap or foil, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the oven or microwave until heated through.
