4-Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Crescent Braid

Golden, flaky crescent dough wrapped around juicy chicken, savory deli meat, and gooey melted cheese. This easy cheesy chicken braid is perfect for a quick lunch, family dinner, or party appetizer!

Prep: 10 min

Bake: 20–25 min

Serves: 3–4

Ingredients

• 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded or sliced (rotisserie chicken works well)
• 6–8 slices deli ham or turkey
• 1–1½ cups shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Swiss, or a blend)

Optional: 1 egg, beaten, for brushing the dough to create a golden finish.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the dough. Unroll the crescent roll dough onto the prepared tray. Press the seams together firmly to form one large rectangle.

3. Add the filling. Arrange the deli ham or turkey down the center of the dough. Add the cooked chicken evenly over the meat, then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.

4. Cut the strips. Using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, cut diagonal strips about 1 inch wide along both long sides of the dough. Leave the center filling section intact.

5. Braid the dough. Fold the dough strips alternately over the filling, crossing them from side to side to create a braided appearance. Tuck the ends underneath to seal the filling inside.

6. Brush with egg (optional). Lightly brush the top with beaten egg for a shiny, golden crust.

7. Bake. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.

8. Cool and slice. Let the braid rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices. Serve warm while the cheese is melted and gooey.

Serving suggestions

• Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed broccoli.
• Pair with tomato soup for a comforting lunch.
• Add a little garlic butter on top after baking for extra flavor.

Nutrition estimate

Per serving, assuming 4 servings and using ham with mozzarella:

• Calories: 350–450
• Protein: 25–32 g
• Carbohydrates: 25–35 g
• Fat: 16–24 g

Values vary by dough brand, cheese, and deli meat.

Low-carb note: This original recipe is not keto-friendly because refrigerated crescent dough is high in carbohydrates. For a keto version, use a low-carb dough made with mozzarella, cream cheese, and almond flour, and check the deli meat and cheese labels.