Cheesy Chicken Packets.

[Originally posted here on January 24, 2014.]

This is one of my all-time favorite go-to recipes.  We typically eat it at least once a week.  It's quick and easy, and I always have all the ingredients stocked except for the crescent rolls.

Cheesy Chicken Packets.

You've probably seen similar versions on Pinterest and elsewhere.  This one is my own combination of primarily this version and a friend's cheesy chicken casserole recipe.  I haven't tried any other versions, but this idea is very customizable, so play around with it!

Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients.

• 1 package crescent rolls
• 5-6 oz cooked chicken (you can buy a 5 oz can, or split a 12.5 oz can into two servings like I do)
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 1 Tbsp butter, melted
• Italian bread crumbs, to taste

Preheat your oven to 350.

Drain the can of cooked chicken (and divide into two portions, if using a large can).  Dump the chicken into a medium-sized bowl.

I usually shred the chicken with my fingers, but you can leave it in larger chunks if you prefer.  I don't really like the taste of meat, so my goal is to help that chicken hide in all the cheese.

Add the cheddar and the milk to the bowl of chicken.  (That's a 1/2 tablespoon pictured, because all my tablespoons seem to have disappeared from my kitchen.  Drat.  But use a whole tablespoon.)

Mix well.

Open the package of crescent rolls and unroll them into four rectangles; lay them flat on a greased cookie sheet.  Press diagonal seams together to prevent gaps.

(If you are doubling the recipe or using a smaller cookie sheet, you could alternatively form each packet one by one on a plate and arrange them on the cookie sheet once they're filled and sealed.)

Spoon gobs of cheesy chicken goodness onto one half of each rectangle.

Leave room around the edges of each pile.

Fold each rectangle over the filling and press the edges together to seal it.  Use your fingers to flatten each packet a little bit as you go.

All sealed shut!  I like to rearrange mine to line up all pretty, but that's just me.

Microwave the butter in a small bowl to melt it.

Like so.

Brush each packet thoroughly with the melted butter.

Sprinkle each packet liberally with bread crumbs.  I recommend using lots.

Ready to bake!

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, or until the packets are golden-brown.

Like so.

Mmmm!  Ready to eat!

Enjoy!  I'd love to hear your variations on the packet idea!

Here's the recipe, for your cut-and-paste convenience:

Cheesy Chicken Packets

• 1 package crescent rolls
• 1 can (5 oz) cooked chicken (or half of a 12.5 oz can)
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 Tbsp milk
• 1 Tbsp butter, melted
• Italian bread crumbs, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Unroll crescent rolls and divide into four rectangles on cookie sheet.  Press diagonal seams together.
3. In bowl, mix chicken (pulled into smaller pieces, if desired), cheddar, and milk.
4. Spoon chicken mixture onto one half of each rectangle.  Fold rectangle in half to cover chicken mixture and press edges to seal shut.
5. Brush packets with butter and coat liberally with bread crumbs.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes (or until golden brown).