Description
Comfort meets Italian flair in this chicken parmesan calzone, blending crispy golden crust with melted cheese and savory chicken. Hearty flavors nestle inside a perfectly folded pocket, inviting you to savor each delicious bite of homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 cup (240 ml) cooked chicken, shredded
Cheeses
- 1 cup (240 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
Base and Sauce
- 1 pound (454 grams) pizza dough
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) marinara sauce
Seasonings and Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and arrange a parchment-lined baking sheet for preparation.
- Stretch the pizza dough into a circular shape, creating a wide, even surface for filling.
- Distribute marinara sauce across one half of the dough, maintaining a clean border around the edges to ensure proper sealing.
- Arrange shredded chicken evenly over the sauce, creating a uniform layer of protein.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses generously across the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Dust the cheese layer with garlic powder to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Carefully fold the empty dough half over the filled section, creating a half-moon shape.
- Firmly press and crimp the edges with fingertips to create a tight seal, preventing filling from leaking during baking.
- Gently brush the calzone exterior with olive oil, promoting a golden, crispy crust.
- Position the calzone on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns a rich, golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow internal temperature to stabilize.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- Slice and serve immediately while warm and crisp.
Notes
- Customize the filling by adding veggies like spinach or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor variety.
- Prevent soggy bottoms by preheating a pizza stone or using a perforated baking sheet for crispy crust edges.
- Replace traditional chicken with rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken to save time and reduce food waste.
- Create a gluten-free version by using cauliflower or almond flour pizza dough for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg