This is one of my family's favorite dishes, and it has been passed down to me by my husband's family. The idea of mixing chicken and cream cheese may seem odd to some, but the end result is a mild cheesy flavor that is irresistible!

There are two ways to prepare this recipe. One is the traditional individual chicken squares, and the other, which makes prep work a little easier and less messy, uses one pan and layers the mixture and dough. I'll present both of them at the end.

You'll need a medium mixing bowl, mixing spoon, pastry brush, and either a cake pan or a cookie sheet for this recipe.

Ingredients:

3 oz cream cheese softened (for a creamier sauce, use more)
2 cups cooked chicken, or canned chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
8 oz crescent rolls or similar pastry
3 tbsp melted butter, divided
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp milk
¾ cup crushed seasoned croutons (optional)

Optional herbs: sage, chives, green onion.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend softened cream cheese and 2 tbsp butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Add cooked or canned chicken, salt, pepper and milk (and also any optional herbs you may wish to season). Mix well.

Preparation Method #1 - Chicken Squares - Separate dough into 4 rectangles. Spoon ½ cup of meat mixture into center. Fold four corners of dough over top of meat. Twist and seal. Brush top with 1 tbsp of melted butter and dip into crushed croutons. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes.

Preparation Method #2 - One pan dish - This idea is a little easier to prepare than the individual squares. Spread meat mixture into bottom of an ungreased cake pan. Spread dough out into a layer on top of meat mixture. Brush top with 1 tbsp of melted butter and sprinkle crushed croutons on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

For a lighter version of this recipe, try a low fat cream cheese and crescent rolls. To double the recipe in preparation method #2, you don't need to double the crescent rolls, unless you use a layer of dough on the bottom as well as the top.

Nutritional Information:

Total dish:
Calories:1510
Fat: 109
Saturated Fat: 56
Cholesterol: 216
Sodium: 2980
Carbohydrates: 94
Sugars: 20
Protein: 24

Makes 4 servings

One serving:
Calories: 3775
Fat: 27
Saturated Fat: 14
Cholesterol: 54
Sodium: 745
Carbohydrates: 23.5
Sugars: 5
Protein: 24

About the Author

Tonia Jordan is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

Her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/spidergirl so stop by and read for a while.