1. Prepare the Chicken Filling

To begin, shred the cooked chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook and shred your own chicken breasts. Place the shredded chicken in a mixing bowl.

Next, add the marinara sauce to the chicken and stir to combine. The marinara sauce will give the chicken a rich, tangy flavor, making it the perfect base for your pinwheels.

In a separate small bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and basil. These seasonings will give the pinwheels that classic Chicken Parmesan flavor. Stir the cheese and seasonings into the chicken and marinara sauce mixture until everything is well combined. Set the filling aside while you prepare the dough.

2. Prepare the Dough

If you’re using crescent roll dough, unroll the dough onto a clean surface. Lay the dough out flat, pressing the seams together to create one large rectangle. If you’re using pizza dough, roll it out into a similar-sized rectangle.

Be sure that the dough is even and smooth, which will help ensure that the pinwheels bake evenly. If you’re using crescent roll dough, don’t separate the individual triangles—just treat it as one large sheet of dough.

3. Assemble the Pinwheels

Now it’s time to assemble the pinwheels! Evenly spread the chicken and cheese mixture over the dough, leaving about ½ inch of space on the edges. This ensures that the filling stays inside as you roll the dough. Spread the mixture to cover the entire surface of the dough.

Once the filling is evenly distributed, carefully roll the dough up into a log, starting from one edge. Try to keep the roll as tight as possible without squeezing out the filling. The tighter the roll, the more evenly the pinwheels will bake.

After rolling, slice the dough log into 12-15 equal-sized pinwheels. You can use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into neat, even slices. Each slice should be about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide.

4. Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This helps prevent the pinwheels from sticking and ensures even baking.

Place the pinwheels onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one to allow them to expand slightly during baking.

To give the pinwheels a beautiful golden-brown finish, brush the tops with olive oil. This will also help enhance the flavor and create a crispy, buttery crust.

5. Bake the Pinwheels

Bake the Chicken Parm Pinwheels in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and melted. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of the dough and the size of your pinwheels, so keep an eye on them as they bake.

If you’re using crescent roll dough, you should see the pinwheels puff up and become golden and flaky. If you’re using pizza dough, the pinwheels will become a bit more rustic, with a thicker, chewier texture.

6. Cool and Serve

Once the pinwheels are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. This gives the cheese time to set and prevents burns from the hot cheese.

You can serve these pinwheels as-is or garnish them with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.