Description
Chicken Calzone brings a slice of Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with crispy, golden-brown edges and a molten cheesy center packed with juicy chicken and zesty herbs. Grab some marinara sauce for dipping and get ready to savor this quick and satisfying meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 cup cooked chicken
- 4 ounces fresh Mozzarella, grated
- 2 ounces Parmesan, grated (½ cup)
- 1 egg (beaten)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup fresh ricotta
- 1 cup Parmesan
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup mushroom sliced
- ½–1 cup sliced green bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- ⅔–1 cup pizza sauce
- 1, click the link for homemade or store-bought
- all-purpose flour (as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a blazing 425°F, ensuring the rack sits in the center position for perfect heat distribution.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta, 4 ounces grated mozzarella, 2 ounces grated Parmesan, 3 tablespoons fresh basil, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend these ingredients until your cheese mixture looks creamy and well-incorporated.
- Dust your clean countertop with a light layer of all-purpose flour, then gently roll out your pizza dough into individual circles approximately 8 inches in diameter.
- Spread exactly ⅔ cup pizza sauce across half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges for sealing.
- Arrange 1 cup cooked chicken, ¾ cup sliced mushrooms, and ½ cup green bell peppers evenly over the sauce, creating a colorful and delicious filling.
- Dollop your prepared cheese mixture generously over the vegetable and chicken layer.
- Carefully fold the bare half of the dough over the filling, pressing and crimping the edges with your fingertips to create a tight seal that prevents leakage.
- Brush the entire surface of each calzone with 1 beaten egg, which will help create a golden, glossy exterior.
- Transfer the calzones onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to allow even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated 425°F oven for exactly 18-20 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and crispy edges.
- Remove from the oven and let the calzones rest for 5 minutes, allowing the filling to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Opt for pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor to your calzone.
- Ensure edges are firmly pressed with a fork to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap pizza dough with cauliflower crust or gluten-free pizza dough.
- Fresh herbs make a significant difference, so use basil leaves right from your garden or windowsill if possible.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg