Easy Artichoke and Spinach Chicken Roll Ups

Here’s my go-to recipe for artichoke and spinach chicken roll ups, with tender chicken breasts, a creamy cheese filling, and a mix of fresh spinach and marinated artichokes all rolled into one dish.

These chicken roll ups have become my weeknight dinner hero when I want something that looks fancy but doesn’t take forever to make. They’re always a hit with the whole family, and the leftovers are just as good the next day for lunch. Who doesn’t love a make-ahead meal that actually tastes better the next day?

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

For chicken roll ups, you’ve got several convenient options that’ll work great in this recipe. You can use leftover roasted chicken from last night’s dinner, grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store (which is my go-to when I’m short on time), or quickly cook up some chicken breasts yourself. If you’re cooking the chicken specifically for this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work well – just make sure to season them with a bit of salt and pepper before cooking. For the easiest prep, you can even use canned chicken in a pinch, though the texture won’t be quite as nice as fresh-cooked chicken.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with this recipe? Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:

• Cream cheese: If you’re out of cream cheese, try using ricotta mixed with a bit of Greek yogurt, or mascarpone cheese. Just make sure whatever you use is at room temperature for easy spreading.
• Mozzarella cheese: You can swap mozzarella with other mild, melting cheeses like provolone, Monterey Jack, or even Swiss cheese. Just avoid hard cheeses as they won’t give you that nice, melty texture.
• Cooked chicken: This is super flexible – try using turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken if you’re in a hurry. For a vegetarian version, you could use chopped mushrooms sautéed until their moisture is gone.
• Crescent rolls: While crescent rolls work best here, you can use pizza dough cut into triangles, or puff pastry as alternatives. Just keep in mind that the baking time might need to be adjusted slightly depending on what you use.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making chicken roll ups is overfilling them, which can lead to messy spillage and uneven cooking – stick to about 2-3 tablespoons of filling per roll to keep everything neat and contained.

Temperature control is crucial here: working with cold cream cheese will make it difficult to mix and spread, so make sure it’s properly softened at room temperature for at least an hour before starting.

When rolling up the crescents, a common mistake is stretching the dough too thin, which can cause tears and filling leaks – instead, gently press the perforated seams together and roll with a light touch.

For perfectly golden-brown rolls, avoid the temptation to crank up the heat – stick to the recommended temperature and check them a few minutes before the suggested baking time since oven temperatures can vary.

What to Serve With Chicken Roll Ups?

These cheesy chicken roll ups are pretty filling on their own, but they pair really well with some simple sides to round out your meal. A light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the cream cheese and mozzarella. If you’re looking for something warm, roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus make great companions – just pop them in the oven while the roll ups are baking. For busy weeknights, I like to serve these with a quick marinara sauce on the side for dipping, which adds a nice touch of tangy flavor to complement the creamy filling.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These chicken roll ups are perfect for quick meals throughout the week! Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. They make great leftovers for lunch or a quick dinner when you’re short on time.

Freeze: Want to prep these ahead? You can freeze the assembled, unbaked roll ups for up to 2 months. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to cook, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Reheat: To warm up leftover roll ups, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use the microwave for 30-45 seconds, though the crescent roll might not be as crispy. A toaster oven works great too!

Preparation Time	30-120 minutes
Cooking Time	12-15 minutes
Total Time	42-135 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 100-110 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup chopped cooked chicken
• 2 packages crescent rolls (8 oz each)

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling

Start by combining the first four ingredients in a bowl.

Mix them together until well combined to create a flavorful chicken mixture.

Step 2: Chill the Mixture

Cover the bowl containing the chicken mixture and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.

This will allow the flavors to meld and make the mixture easier to handle.

Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Dough

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Roll out the crescent dough and carefully separate it into triangle sections as per the package instructions.

Step 4: Fill and Roll the Crescent Rolls

Take about 1 tablespoon of the chilled chicken mixture and place it on the wide part of each crescent dough triangle.

Roll up the dough, starting from the wide end and rolling towards the point.

Step 5: Bake the Crescent Rolls

Place the rolled-up crescent dough on a greased baking sheet.

Ensure they are spaced evenly to allow for expansion.

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.

Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your warm, savory crescent rolls!