Crescent Chicken Braid

Look no further for a yummy lunch or dinner entree that tastes great, is easy to prepare and budget-friendly. Fancy looking for company yet easy enough for a weeknight family meal, crescent chicken braid is baked golden brown with a creamy filling of cheddar cheese, chicken chunks and topped with sliced almonds.

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Just add a salad and you have a lovely meal! Keep this recipe in mind when you have leftovers from roasting a chicken or turkey. One of those tasty rotisserie chickens from the grocery store is another great option.

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article originally posted September 2012 with better photos and additional information.

Preparing Crescent Chicken Braid filling

Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized chunks. If you do not have leftovers, you can bake a large chicken breast or gently poach boneless chicken breasts.

How to poach chicken for crescent chicken braid

Poaching chicken is a cooking method involving covering the chicken pieces with water and cooking at a low simmer on the stovetop until the chicken is cooked through. The thing to be sure of to keep the chicken tender and not tough and dry is to cook at a very low simmer and completely avoid boiling.

• To do this, place the skinless chicken into a pan and add cold water to cover.
• Turn the heat to medium and allow the water to heat just to a slow simmer. 
• Reduce the heat if necessary, cover and allow to cook just until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over cooking.
• Immediately remove chicken from the pan to a cutting board.
• To hasten cooking time, sometimes I will slice the raw chicken breast into 3/4 to 1-inch slices turning with a fork as they cook. 
• If you want to boost the flavor of the chicken, add a bay leaf, garlic or herbs with salt and pepper.

Add the cooked chicken chunks, cheddar cheese, sour cream, 1/3-cup almonds, Dijon mustard, pepper and garlic to a large bowl.

Stir until all of the ingredients are combined.

Preparing the crescent dough

Remove the dough from tube and separate into 2 long rectangles.

With the long sides overlapping 1/2”, firmly press perforations and edges to seal. Press to form 14×9 rectangle.

Spoon chicken mixture in 3” strip lengthwise down center of dough.

Using a pastry scraper or knife, cut 1” strips of dough from chicken to edge.

Fold the strips of dough at an angle alternating sides.

Pinch the ends to seal. Carefully place the braid onto a silicone mat covered baking sheet or onto an ungreased sheet. If you build the braid right on the silicone mat just be sure you do not cut through when slicing the strips. 

In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg.

Brush the dough with the egg.

Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of almonds.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown.

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Crescent Chicken Braid

Yield: 8 servings

PRINT RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
Heat oven to 350

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1/3 cup slivered or sliced almonds
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 egg, beaten 
• 2 Tablespoons slivered almonds
•  

DIRECTIONS
In large bowl, combine filling ingredients.

Separate crescent dough into 2 long rectangles.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet or one lined with a silicone mat, with long sides overlapping 1/2”.

Firmly press perforations and edges to seal.

Press to form 14×9 rectangle.

Spoon chicken mixture in 3” strip lengthwise down center of dough.

Cut 1” strips of dough from chicken to edge.

Fold strips of dough at an angle alternating sides.

Brush with egg, sprinkle with almonds.

Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown
8 servings

You might like to serve a dressed salad with Crescent Chicken Braid…

Dress up simple greens and veggies of choice with a very flavorful vinaigrette.

Cherry Balsamic Vinaigrette 

And for dessert a very easy and delicious…

A smallish-size dessert that is large on flavor and the best part is that it is so quick and easy to put together!

Swedish Visiting Cake