The Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Ring is a fun and tasty twist on two classics: spicy buffalo chicken and buttery crescent rolls. It’s a golden, flaky ring filled with tender, flavorful chicken coated in that signature tangy buffalo sauce, plus melty cheese that brings everything together nicely. The combination makes for a dish that’s crispy on the outside and gooey and spicy on the inside.
I love making this when I want a simple, crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer. It’s super easy to pull together, and the spicy buffalo flavor always gets people’s attention. I also like adding a little ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping — it’s the perfect way to balance all the heat. This recipe is one of those go-tos that never fails to get compliments and requests for seconds.
When I serve this, I usually pair it with some crunchy celery sticks or a fresh side salad to keep things light. It’s great for game days, casual dinners, or even a fun lunch. Plus, the ring shape makes it fun to tear into and share with others. It really brings a little party to the table!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Cooked shredded chicken is the star here. I like using rotisserie chicken for quick prep, but leftover grilled or baked chicken works well too. For a vegetarian option, swap with cooked jackfruit or shredded mushrooms for a similar texture.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: This gives the dish its punch. Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but feel free to use a milder or hotter sauce depending on your heat preference. You can also mix a bit of melted butter into the sauce for a richer flavor.
Crescent Roll Dough: This dough creates the flaky ring crust. Refrigerated crescent rolls are the easiest, but if you want something richer, puff pastry sheets work great too. For gluten-free needs, check for alternative doughs or make a crust from scratch.
Cheese: A mix of cheddar and mozzarella balances sharpness and meltiness well. You can swap cheddar for pepper jack for a bit more spice or use just mozzarella if you want a milder bite.
How Can I Fold and Seal the Crescent Dough to Keep the Filling Inside?
Folding the dough right is key to keeping the buffalo chicken and cheese snug inside while it bakes. Here’s how I do it:
- Place the crescent triangles in a circle with wide ends overlapping in the center.
- Spread the filling over the wide ends to create a base to fold over.
- Starting from one triangle, gently fold the pointy tip over the filling toward the center.
- Continue folding each triangle tip over, slightly overlapping the previous one, so the filling gets enclosed in a ring shape.
- Press edges gently where the dough overlaps to help seal it, but don’t stretch it too much or it may tear.
Taking your time here ensures the filling won’t leak out while baking, and the ring holds its shape for a beautiful presentation!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Round baking sheet or pizza pan – I like it because it helps the ring keep its shape while baking.
- Mixing bowls – perfect for stirring the buffalo chicken mixture and cheeses.
- Measuring cups and spoons – helps keep everything precise and easy to follow.
- Knife or pizza cutter – useful for slicing the dough or cutting the finished ring for serving.
- Basting brush (optional) – good if you like to brush the dough with butter or oil before baking for extra shine.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap chicken for cooked sausage or shredded turkey for different proteins; it adds a new twist.
- Try a mix of cheeses such as pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or blue cheese for more flavor.
- Add diced celery, green onions, or chopped cilantro to the buffalo chicken for extra crunch and freshness.
- Mix a little honey or sprinkle of ranch seasoning into the buffalo sauce for a sweeter or herby flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Ring
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough (2 rolls)
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 20-25 minutes to bake. After baking, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. So, in total, set aside around 35 minutes to enjoy this tasty ring.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare the Base:
Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a round baking sheet or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Buffalo Chicken:
In a medium bowl, toss the shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce until the chicken is well coated and flavorful.
3. Arrange the Crescent Triangles:
Open both cans of crescent roll dough and separate the triangles. On the baking sheet, arrange them in a circle with the wide ends overlapping in the center and the pointed ends facing outwards, forming a ring shape.
4. Add Filling and Cheese:
Spread the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the wide ends of the crescent triangles in the center of the circle. Then sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
5. Fold and Seal:
Starting at one triangle, fold the pointy end over the filling towards the center, slightly overlapping the next triangle’s point. Continue folding all the points around to enclose the filling completely within the dough ring.
6. Bake and Serve:
Bake the ring in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through. Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw the chicken completely before shredding and mixing with the buffalo sauce. Thaw overnight in the fridge or use the defrost setting on your microwave for quicker prep.
Can I Make the Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Ring Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Prepare the ring assembly, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover ring in an airtight container or wrap it well with foil and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to keep the crust crisp.
What Can I Serve with the Buffalo Chicken Crescent Roll Ring?
This dish pairs great with crisp celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a fresh green salad. Ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side helps balance the spicy buffalo flavor perfectly!
