This fun Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring is a crowd-pleaser! It features cheesy chicken wrapped in flaky crescent dough, topped with zesty buffalo sauce.
It’s perfect for game nights or cozy gatherings. I love serving it with some ranch dressing on the side—because who can resist that combo? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cooked Chicken: Shredded cooked chicken is essential. You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience or even leftover chicken from another meal. For a vegetarian twist, try using shredded jackfruit or cooked lentils as a replacement.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: This gives the ring its signature flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, go for BBQ sauce or hot sauce with a lower heat level. For a homemade option, mix hot sauce with a little melted butter.
Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess and helps bind the filling. If you need a lighter option, low-fat cream cheese works well too. For a vegan choice, look for cashew cream or a plant-based cream cheese alternative.
Crescent Roll Dough: This is what creates the ring shape and flaky texture. You can use homemade dough if you’re up for it, but store-bought makes it super simple. Avoid biscuit dough, as it won’t hold the same shape.
How Do You Get the Best Puff from Crescent Dough?
The key to getting that nice, puffy crescent dough is in the assembly and baking process. Properly arranging the dough and ensuring even heat during baking will give you a golden, flaky result.
- When laying out the crescent triangles, make sure the wide ends overlap slightly and build a solid base.
- After adding the filling, don’t overstuff the triangles; a nice scoop is perfect!
- Baking at 375°F allows the dough to rise properly. Keep an eye on it, as oven times can vary.
- Brush melted butter on top just before baking for that beautiful golden color and extra flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Filling:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For the Dough:
- 1 tube refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped green onions or celery for garnish
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring takes about 10 minutes of prep time and 25-30 minutes of baking time. So in about 40 minutes, you’ll have a hot, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer ready to serve!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, you want to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your crescent ring bakes evenly and gets that lovely golden brown color. While the oven heats up, grab your baking sheet.
2. Prepare the Chicken Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with buffalo wing sauce. Mix it well so that all the chicken is coated with the spicy sauce. This will add that delicious flavor throughout your filling.
3. Mix the Cheeses:
In a separate bowl, beat your softened cream cheese until it’s nice and smooth. Then, stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until everything is combined and creamy. This cheesy mixture will balance out the heat from the buffalo sauce.
4. Combine the Mixtures:
Now, add the buffalo chicken mixture to the cheese mixture. Gently fold them together until everything is well incorporated. You want to make sure every bite has that great combination of flavors!
5. Arrange the Crescent Dough:
Open your tube of crescent roll dough and unroll it. You’ll find that it comes in triangles. On your lined baking sheet, arrange the triangles in a circle with the points facing outward. This will create a perfect ring shape. Be sure to press the bases of the triangles together so it forms a continuous ring.
6. Fill the Dough:
Spoon the buffalo chicken filling evenly onto the wide ends of each crescent triangle. This is the fun part! Just be careful not to overfill, as you’ll want to be able to fold the dough over it.
7. Fold and Tuck:
Take the pointed ends of the crescent dough and fold them over the filling. Tuck the pointed ends underneath the wide ends to secure the filling inside. This will keep all that ooey-gooey goodness locked in as it bakes!
8. Brush with Butter:
Using a brush, coat the top of the dough with melted butter. This will add flavor and help your crescent ring achieve that gorgeous golden color.
9. Bake the Ring:
Now, pop your baking sheet into the oven and let it bake for about 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it and remove it once the dough is golden brown and fully cooked.
10. Cool and Serve:
After baking, let the ring cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a serving platter. This allows it to firm up just a bit for easier slicing.
11. Garnish and Enjoy:
If you like, garnish the ring with chopped green onions or celery for a fresh touch. Serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. Enjoy every bite of your spicy, cheesy, and perfect Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring!
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. Just shred it and mix it with the buffalo sauce, and you’re good to go!
What If I Don’t Have Buffalo Sauce?
No worries! You can substitute with BBQ sauce for a milder flavor, or make your own buffalo sauce by mixing hot sauce with melted butter to achieve that signature taste.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the filling and assemble the crescent ring a few hours in advance. Just cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through for the best texture.
