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Delicious Chicken Parmesan Cupcakes photo

Chicken Parmesan Cupcakes

Easy, handheld chicken Parmesan bites baked in crescent roll cups for a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (8-oz) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 12 pieces frozen popcorn chicken
  • 1 1/4 cups spaghetti sauce
  • 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • 12-cup muffin pan
  • Cooking spray
  • rolling/cutting surface
  • Knife or pizza cutter
  • Measuring Spoons
  • tongs or fork
  • Rotary Cheese Grater
  • tart tamper

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
  2. Unroll the crescent dough and press seams together to form an 8×18-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 equal squares.
  3. Press each dough square into a muffin cup to form a little cup, using a tart tamper or your fingers to shape.
  4. Place about 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella into the bottom of each dough-lined cup.
  5. Top the mozzarella with one piece of frozen popcorn chicken (use two smaller pieces if needed to fill the cup).
  6. Spoon about 2 tablespoons spaghetti sauce over each piece of chicken.
  7. Sprinkle roughly 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan over each cup to cover the sauce and chicken.
  8. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the crescent cups are golden brown and the chicken is heated through.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack or serving plate.

Notes

  • Use larger pieces of frozen popcorn chicken so each cupcake has plenty of chicken.
  • No need to thaw or precook the frozen chicken; it cooks in the oven.
  • A can of refrigerated pizza dough can be substituted for crescent rolls.
  • Any jarred marinara works well—favorites include Rao’s and Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic.
  • You may use shredded or grated Parmesan; both are fine.
  • Leftover cupcakes can be frozen for later.