Four Ingredient BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

Thank you Sweet Baby Ray’s for sponsoring this post!

BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups are a simple appetizer that’s ready to serve in under 30 minutes. Perfect for holiday parties, birthday parties and sports gatherings!

You guys. Have you tried Sweet Baby Ray’s Vidalia Onion BBQ Sauce? Cause if you haven’t you need to get some NOW. And then make these BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups.

I’ve teamed up with Sweet Baby Ray’s to create an easy to make appetizer that’s perfect for football season, which means I was compensated for the product and creating this recipe, however, all opinions and recipes are my own.  These BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups are great for football parties or even for an afternoon spent plopped on the couch, watching the big game.

Fact: I’m one of those gals who can make a meal out of appetizers. Sometimes I make them just because – no special event needed. But other times I go all out and make a ton of appetizers for Saturday evening college football, Sunday night football or for the big one, the Superbowl. No burgers. No pizza. Just loads of fun little bite sized appetizers.

So back to my question. Have you ever tried any of the Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces? They are our go-to brand for BBQ sauces. We love the Original and Sweet & Spicy and now we love the Vidalia Onion, too! I made these BBQ Nachos and these Hot BBQ Pork Ranch Wraps with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces. I made the BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups that I’m sharing with you today with the Vidalia Onion BBQ Sauce.

Today’s recipe is SO easy to make. I spent less than 30 minutes total on this recipe. Roll out the crescent roll dough. Top with chicken, BBQ sauce and cheese. Roll up. Bake. BOOM. Ready to devour!

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Why This Chicken Crescent Roll Ups Recipe Works

There are a lot of reasons this recipe has a permanent spot in my rotation, and it starts with the balance of flavors and textures. The buttery crescent dough crisps up beautifully in the oven, creating a soft yet flaky bite. Inside, the combination of tender shredded chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese melts together into something that tastes like it came from a cozy diner rather than a home kitchen.

The use of rotisserie chicken makes this recipe almost foolproof. You skip the step of cooking raw chicken, which means dinner is on the table faster, and the meat stays juicy even after baking. It is also one of those recipes that works with whatever you have on hand. Sweet Baby Ray’s is my go-to barbecue sauce, but you can use any sauce you love. A smoky sauce adds depth, while a sweeter sauce makes these taste like backyard summer cookouts.

These roll ups also shine because they are versatile. You can serve them as a main dish with a salad or roasted vegetables, or you can pile them onto a platter for game day. Kids love them because they are bite-sized and easy to dip, and adults love them because they taste indulgent without taking hours to prepare. They are just as welcome on a weeknight table as they are at a weekend gathering.

Another reason this recipe works so well is that it feels approachable for cooks of all skill levels. If you have ever rolled up crescent dough straight from the can, you can make these. There is no fancy equipment, no long list of ingredients, and no complicated steps. Just simple, satisfying food that gets devoured every time I make it.

Ingredients for Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

The ingredient list is short, but every item plays an important role in building flavor and texture. Using quality ingredients where it counts makes a noticeable difference in the final dish.

• Crescent roll dough: Two 8-ounce tubes give you sixteen triangles, which is the perfect amount for this recipe. The dough bakes into a buttery, flaky shell that holds everything together.
• Shredded cooked chicken: One cup of cooked chicken, like rotisserie, adds tenderness and flavor. Rotisserie chicken is ideal because it is well-seasoned and ready to use.
• BBQ sauce: One third cup of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce adds sweet and smoky flavor. A drizzle of extra sauce after baking takes the flavor up another notch.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Two sandwich slices cut into eight small rectangles each, so every roll gets a perfect pocket of melted cheese.

Before you begin, make sure your chicken is shredded and your cheese is cut into pieces. Having everything prepped makes assembly quick and keeps the dough from warming up too much, which can make it harder to roll.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

1. Preheat your oven and prepare the pan: Set your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
2. Separate the dough: Open the crescent roll tubes and separate them into triangles along the seams. You will end up with sixteen pieces.
3. Prepare the cheese: Cut each sandwich slice of sharp cheddar into eight small rectangles. This ensures every roll has the right amount of cheese without overwhelming the other flavors.
4. Fill the triangles: Place about one tablespoon of shredded chicken on the wide end of each triangle. Add about one teaspoon of barbecue sauce and top with one piece of cheddar cheese.
5. Roll them up: Starting at the wide end, fold in the sides and roll gently toward the point. Keep the rolls tight but do not press too hard, or the filling will ooze out.
6. Arrange and bake: Place the rolled crescents on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
7. Add finishing touch: Drizzle with extra barbecue sauce before serving, if desired.

If your rolls tend to leak, make sure you are not overfilling them and that your chicken is not overly wet. A quick pat with a paper towel can help prevent soggy spots in the dough.

How to Serve Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

These chicken crescent roll ups are best served warm right out of the oven when the cheese is still gooey and the dough is crisp. They make a great appetizer for parties, but they can also hold their own as a main dish if you pair them with simple sides.

For a casual dinner, I like to serve them with a fresh green salad or a batch of roasted vegetables. The tangy barbecue flavor pairs especially well with coleslaw or a simple cucumber and tomato salad. When I am feeding kids or a crowd, I set out extra dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard. People love having options, and it turns a simple dish into something interactive and fun.

For parties or game days, arrange the roll ups on a large platter and keep extra barbecue sauce in a small bowl for dipping. Add celery sticks or carrot sticks to the platter for color and crunch. These hold their shape well, so you can even stack them on tiered stands if you want a pretty presentation for a buffet table.

No matter how you serve them, these roll ups tend to disappear fast. I recommend making a double batch if you are feeding more than four people or want leftovers for the next day.

How to Store & Reheat Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, these roll ups store well and can easily be reheated for quick snacks or lunches.

Store any leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The crescent dough will soften slightly in the fridge but will crisp back up when reheated in the oven.

To reheat, preheat your oven to 325°F and place the roll ups on a baking sheet. Heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until warmed through. The oven method keeps the dough flaky and prevents the cheese from becoming rubbery. If you are in a hurry, you can microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds, but expect the dough to be softer.

For longer storage, these roll ups can be frozen. Place cooled roll ups on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep for up to two months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until hot.

Substitutions & Variations for Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. A few small swaps can give you an entirely different flavor profile without adding extra work.

• Sauce variations: Swap the barbecue sauce for buffalo sauce to create buffalo chicken roll ups, or try honey mustard for a milder, sweeter option.
• Cheese options: Sharp cheddar is classic, but pepper jack adds a little heat, and mozzarella creates a milder, stringy melt.
• Protein changes: Use shredded turkey or ham for a different flavor. Pulled pork is another delicious option if you want something heartier.
• Vegetarian twist: Replace the chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. A sprinkle of feta or goat cheese pairs beautifully with this version.

These variations are especially helpful when you are cooking for a crowd with different tastes. I like to make half of the batch one way and half another, so there is something for everyone at the table.

FAQs About Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

Here are some straightforward answers to the most common questions I receive about this chicken crescent roll ups recipe.

1. Can I make chicken crescent roll ups ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the roll ups earlier in the day, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. Add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time since they will be cold going into the oven.

2. Do I have to use rotisserie chicken or can I cook my own?

Rotisserie chicken is convenient, but you can absolutely use home-cooked chicken. Poached, baked, or grilled chicken works well, as long as it is shredded and lightly seasoned. Just be sure it is fully cooled before mixing with the barbecue sauce so the dough stays easy to work with.

3. Can I freeze chicken crescent roll ups?

Yes. Bake them first, let them cool, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be reheated straight from frozen in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.

4. What’s the best way to keep the rolls from bursting open?

Overfilling is usually the culprit. Stick to about one tablespoon of chicken per roll, and make sure you tuck in the sides before rolling. Keeping the dough cold until you are ready to bake also helps it hold its shape.

5. Can I double this recipe for a party?

Absolutely. This recipe doubles beautifully. Just use two baking sheets and rotate them halfway through baking so everything cooks evenly. You will want extra barbecue sauce for dipping too, since they tend to go quickly when served to a crowd.

Four Ingredient BBQ Chicken Crescent Roll Ups

Yield: 16 crescent roll ups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 8oz package of crescent roll dough
• 1 C shredded cooked chicken (a rotisserie chicken works well)
• 1/3 C Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, plus more for drizzling
• 2 sandwich slices of sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the crescent roll dough and cut at seams. You will have 16 triangles once you complete this. Cut each slice of cheese into 8 small rectangles. Top the large side of each triangle with 1 tbsp of shredded chicken, 1 tsp of BBQ sauce and 1 rectangle of cheese. From the large end (the end with the filling) fold in the sides and roll up. Be gentle so your filling does not ooze out.
3. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 11-15 minutes or until golden.
4. Drizzle each roll with more of the BBQ sauce, if desired.

Notes

For drizzling: I always use a plastic sandwich bag. I fill the bag with the BBQ sauce, cut off a small piece of the corner and squeeze the sauce over the crescent roll ups.

Please note: The green onions were only used for garnishment for the photos. They weren't a part of the recipe. However, you can garnish your crescent rolls with green onions, if you choose to. If you do, the recipe will turn into a 5 ingredient recipe!

For easy prep, use a rotisserie chicken. If you have any leftover chicken, try using it in these Buffalo Chicken Salad Cups or this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.

Try These Recipes Next

If you enjoyed these chicken crescent roll ups, here are a few more recipes from the blog that are perfect for easy dinners and party appetizers:

• Cajun Shrimp Quinoa Casserole – Quick to make and packed with smoky, spicy flavor, this shrimp casserole will be your new favorite.
• Tequila Old Fashioned – A fun twist on a classic cocktail that pairs beautifully with savory appetizers like these roll ups.
• Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake – A cheesy baked pasta dish that comes together quickly for busy weeknights.

These three recipes are some of my favorites to pair with casual get-togethers or quick weeknight meals.