This Chicken Broccoli Braid is made by stuffing light, flaky crescent rolls with a cheesy chicken, broccoli, and bacon filling. This gorgeous braid is a showstopper that's perfect for any occasion!

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There are few things as enticing as a beautiful braid of golden brown crescent rolls coming out of the oven. When that braid is stuffed with a cheesy chicken bacon broccoli filling, well, that's just simply irresistible.  Not to mention the fact that broccoli and chicken recipes are the best!

Crescent roll dough is one of my favorite shortcut ingredients to use in easy recipes, and this recipe is no exception. They make a fast dinner seem like it required more effort than it actually did. You may recognize this recipe as being similar to one of the old Pampered Chef recipes, but this one is just a little bit different than the original.

You can save some time in the preparation of this beauty by using some leftovers for some of your ingredients. Got some leftover chicken? A small bit of broccoli leftover from last night's dinner? This recipe will make great use of those little leftover bits in the fridge. Once you try this chicken crescent braid, you'll be brainstorming all of the meals you're going to make stuffing crescent rolls. I know you're going to love it!

How To Make a Chicken Broccoli Braid

Making a crescent roll braid couldn't be easier! First, arrange refrigerated crescent rolls on a baking sheet. Then, spoon the cooked chicken, cheese, bacon, and vegetables down the center of the crescent rolls. Fold the crescent rolls over the filling in a criss-cross pattern. Bake the crescent braid in the oven for 20-25 minutes. See below for a detailed ingredients list and instructions.

Chicken Broccoli Braid Ingredients

A handful of common, easy to find ingredients are all you need to make this crescent braid at home:

• Cooked chicken: This is a great opportunity to use leftover chicken! If you are cooking the chicken fresh, you will need 2-3 chicken breasts to make 2 cups of chicken.
• Cooked broccoli: If you don't have broccoli already cooked, a quick way to steam broccoli is in the microwave. Put fresh broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water. Place a microwave-safe plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 minutes. If you prefer not to microwave, here are more options for how to cook broccoli.
• Red bell pepper: The sweetness of red bell pepper works perfectly for this recipe, but any color bell pepper will work if that's all you have on hand.
• Onion: Red onion, sweet onion, or really any other variety of onion will work for this recipe.
• Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic in your cooking! A quick mince and you're good to go.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: I like to shred my own cheese with a cheese grater. I have this cheese grater and I LOVE it. You can use extra sharp or medium cheddar for this recipe if that's what you've got.
• Bacon: Crisp, cooked, crumbled bacon is what you're going for. About 3 slices of bacon will be the right amount.
• Mayonnaise: Choose whatever kind you like. Everyone always has a favorite mayo brand, right? I like Duke's!
• Lemon zest: The lemon zest is optional, but it adds a bright undertone to the rich ingredients.
• Refrigerated crescent rolls: Refrigerated crescent rolls come in a tube. Pillsbury is my favorite! You'll need two cans for this recipe.

Is a Chicken Braid an Appetizer or Main Dish?

This Chicken Broccoli Braid can be an appetizer or a chicken dinner! To serve as an appetizer, simply cut the braid into thinner slices.

Can I Use a Crescent Roll Sheet For This Crescent Roll Braid?

Sure! You can use a crescent roll sheet for this recipe. To use a sheet, unroll the dough onto your baking sheet and spoon the filling down the center of the dough. Cut the dough on each side of the filling into thin strips and fold them over the filling to form a braid.

What to Serve with a Chicken Broccoli Braid

A broccoli chicken braid is almost like a complete package all on its own, but can easily be served with a side salad or a cup of soup for a more robust meal. It would be great with this Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Soup!

Chicken Broccoli Braid Variations

A crescent roll braid is very forgiving. Don't be afraid to mix things up a little and make it your own:

• Make it Mediterranian: Sub the cheddar for feta cheese and add some sun-dried tomatoes for a delicious twist.
• Swap the light meat chicken breast for dark thigh or drumstick meat: This braid will work with any kind of chicken you've got on hand. It would even work with ground chicken!
• Go pot pie style with your braid: Skip the broccoli and add peas, carrots, and celery for a chicken pot pie-inspired crescent braid.

Can You Freeze a Chicken Braid?

Yes! A broccoli chicken braid can be frozen. Wrap in foil and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How To Reheat a Broccoli Chicken Braid

Reheat a broccoli chicken braid in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave.

More Crescent Roll Ideas

Looking for more awesome recipes that use crescent roll dough? Check out these popular recipes from the archives:

• Italian Sausage Crescent Braid
• Easy Crescent Roll Pizza
• Italian Sub Crescent Roll Ring
• Ultimate Cheesy Chicken Club Crescent Roll Ring

If you try this recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!

Chicken Broccoli Braid

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 25 MINUTES
Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
Total Time: 50 MINUTES

This Chicken Broccoli Braid is made by stuffing light, flaky crescent rolls with a cheesy chicken, broccoli, and bacon filling. This gorgeous braid is a showstopper perfect for any occasion!

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INGREDIENTS

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 cup cooked broccoli, roughly chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
2 (8-ounce) packages of refrigerated crescent rolls
ranch dressing for dipping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a small non-stick skillet, saute the bell pepper and onion in the olive oil until soft. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 additional minute.
3. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, broccoli, bell pepper, onion, garlic, cheese, bacon, mayo, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.
4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into 16 pre-cut triangles. Arrange the crescent rolls on the cookie sheet with the shorter edges of each triangle overlapping in the middle, 8 crescent rolls on each side of the pan. Pinch the seam together in the middle.
5. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of the crescent rolls. Fold the crescent rolls over the filling, alternating from side to side to form the braid.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Cut into slices and serve with ranch, if desired.

NOTES

Keep the crescent rolls refrigerated until ready to use. As they come to room temperature, they are harder to work with.

Author: Becky Tarala - Inspired by Pampered Chef Broccoli Chicken Braid

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure.