Southern-Inspired Chicken Popovers

Exploring old southern recipes not only brings delicious food to the table but also offers a beautiful connection to family traditions and memories. My grandmother's cookbook is a treasure trove of culinary delights, and one recipe that has captured my heart is the Chicken Popover. This dish combines the familiar comfort of chicken and cream cheese with the delightful crunch of almonds, all wrapped up in a crescent roll and topped with a rich gravy. It's a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings.

Popover Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken for convenience)

• 1 package cream cheese

• 1/4 stick margarine

• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

• Poultry seasoning (Cowart's Natural Seasoning is ideal, but any poultry seasoning will do)

• 2 cans of crescent rolls

• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Gravy Ingredients

• 1 can of cream of chicken soup

• 1 can of chicken stock (use the soup can for measurement)

• 3 tablespoons plain flour

• 1 tablespoon of the poultry seasoning used above

Preparing the Popovers

1. Mix the Filling: Combine the cream cheese and melted margarine until smooth. Blend in the shredded chicken, slivered almonds, and about 3 dashes of poultry seasoning. Chill the mixture to firm it up.

2. Assemble the Popovers: Unroll the crescent rolls and fill the center of each with the chilled chicken mixture. Fold the rolls over the filling and pinch the edges closed to seal.

3. Coat and Bake: Dip each filled crescent roll in melted margarine, then roll in seasoned bread crumbs. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.

Making the Gravy

1. Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, mix the cream of chicken soup and chicken stock until well combined.

2. Thicken the Gravy: Add the flour and poultry seasoning, stirring continuously. Reduce the mixture until it reaches the desired thickness. For a thinner gravy, add more chicken stock gradually while stirring.

Serving Suggestions

These Chicken Popovers pair beautifully with mashed potatoes and a side of vegetables, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. The combination of creamy filling, flaky crust, and savory gravy is sure to be a hit with family and friends, offering a taste of southern comfort and hospitality. Enjoy this delicious dish as you share stories and create new memories around the table!