Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe
If you’re craving a delightful dish that combines creamy textures, tender chicken, and savory herbs wrapped in golden, flaky dough, then you are going to absolutely love this Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe. It’s an irresistible fusion of rich ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, and juicy chicken all enclosed in a beautifully baked calzone that melts in your mouth and satisfies every comfort food craving. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or impressing friends at a weekend gathering, this recipe has a wonderful balance of flavors and textures that make it a standout meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in this Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe is carefully chosen to create the perfect harmony of taste and texture. From fresh greens to creamy cheese, each ingredient plays a crucial role in bringing out that luscious and hearty flavor.
- Cooked chicken, diced (1 cup): Adds protein and juicy, savory flavor—leftover or rotisserie works great.
- Fresh spinach, chopped (½ cup): Brightens the filling with color and earthy freshness.
- Eggs, large (2, divided): One yolk enriches the ricotta mixture while one white is for a beautiful egg wash.
- Ricotta cheese, full fat (½ cup): The creamy base that makes the filling decadently smooth.
- Garlic powder (¼ teaspoon): Adds a touch of gentle pungency to brighten the flavor.
- Dried oregano (½ teaspoon): Brings a classic Italian herbaceous note.
- Dried basil (½ teaspoon): Complements oregano with a sweet, slightly minty aroma.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the other ingredients perfectly.
- Pizza dough (12 ounces): Provides the sturdy yet tender shell to hold the filling—store-bought or homemade.
- Flour (2 tablespoons): For dusting the surface and rolling dough without sticking.
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded (½ cup): Melts into gooey pockets that’ll make every bite irresistible.
- Marinara sauce (optional): Perfect for serving as a tangy, flavorful dip on the side.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Begin by heating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or foil, then lightly spray with cooking spray to ensure your calzones don’t stick and bake evenly.
Step 2: Prep Filling Ingredients
Dice your cooked chicken into neat ½-inch pieces—they’ll distribute beautifully within the calzone. Roughly chop the fresh spinach to keep some texture and vivid green color in every bite.
Step 3: Make Ricotta Mixture
Separate one egg into yolk and white. Put the yolk in a medium bowl and the white aside for later. To the yolk, add ricotta cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth, then fold in the chopped spinach, creating a luscious, creamy filling that’s bursting with flavor and freshness.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Divide your pizza dough into four equal portions. Lightly dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking. Roll each piece into a 7-inch circle—this size is just right to fold and seal comfortably around the filling.
Step 5: Assemble the Calzones
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over half of each dough circle, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Layer the diced chicken over the ricotta and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, evenly distributing the filling to ensure every calzone is packed perfectly.
Step 6: Seal the Calzones
Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal, then fold and roll the edges to create a decorative ridge that also keeps all the delicious filling inside while baking.
Step 7: Egg Wash and Bake
Transfer calzones gently to your prepared baking sheets. Whisk the reserved egg white with the remaining whole egg and brush this glaze over the tops of the calzones. This step is what gives them a gorgeous golden, shiny finish. Bake them for 15 to 18 minutes until beautifully golden brown and invitingly crispy.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, feel free to top your calzones with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you like. Serve them piping hot with a side of warmed marinara sauce for dipping to add a tangy counterpart to the creamy filling.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese or freshly cracked black pepper brings out even more savory notes in the Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley for a touch of herbal brightness and vibrant color.
Side Dishes
Pair your calzones with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables to add balance and a fresh crunch alongside the richness of the calzones. Garlic bread or a bowl of soup complements this meal beautifully if you’re after something extra cozy.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice calzones into smaller wedges to make them perfect for party platters or finger food at casual get-togethers. Or arrange them alongside mini bowls of different dipping sauces like spicy arrabbiata or creamy ranch to cater to varying tastes and add a fun interactive element to your meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover calzones, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the filling fresh and the dough tender, making for a quick, satisfying meal the next day.
Freezing
This Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe freezes wonderfully. Wrap each calzone tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For the best texture when reheating, bake your calzones in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp on the outside. Microwaving can work in a pinch but may soften the crust.
FAQs
Can I use different greens instead of spinach?
Absolutely! Kale, arugula, or Swiss chard are great alternatives that add unique flavors and textures while keeping that fresh, verdant element in the calzone.
Is it necessary to use full-fat ricotta cheese?
Full-fat ricotta creates that rich, creamy consistency essential to the filling, but you can use part-skim ricotta if you want a lighter dish, just expect a slightly different texture.
Can I prepare these calzones ahead of time and bake later?
Yes! You can assemble the calzones and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
What if I don’t have pizza dough available?
Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly, but you can also use puff pastry for a flakier twist or even flatbread wraps for a quicker, albeit different, version.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Certainly! Simply omit the chicken and add extra spinach or substitute with sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts to keep it hearty and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about folding rich, creamy filling inside homemade dough and watching it turn golden in the oven. This Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser that offers comfort and sophisticated flavors all at once. Give it a try, and I promise it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals for family dinners or casual entertaining.
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Creamy Chicken Spinach Ricotta Calzone Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy chicken calzone recipe features a delicious blend of ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, tender diced chicken, and mozzarella cheese encased in a golden, flaky pizza dough pocket. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these calzones make a satisfying meal served with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced (leftover, breast, or rotisserie)
- ½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 large eggs, divided
- ½ cup ricotta cheese (full fat)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Dough
- 12 ounces pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons flour, for rolling dough
Optional
- Marinara sauce, for serving
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil and spray them lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prep Filling: Dice the cooked chicken into ½-inch pieces and roughly chop the fresh spinach to prepare for the filling mixture.
- Make Ricotta Mixture: Separate one egg yolk from its white. In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolk with ricotta cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and salt. Mix thoroughly, then fold in the chopped spinach.
- Roll Dough: Divide the pizza dough into four equal portions. Lightly flour your work surface and roll each piece into a 7-inch circle to form the base of the calzones.
- Assemble Calzones: Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture evenly over one half of each dough circle, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Top the ricotta mixture with the diced chicken and shredded mozzarella cheese, dividing them evenly among the four pieces.
- Seal Calzones: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal, then fold and roll the edges to form a decorative ridge and ensure the filling stays inside during baking.
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved egg white and the remaining whole egg. Brush this egg wash evenly over the surfaces of the calzones to promote a beautiful golden-brown color while baking.
- Bake: Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Optionally sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve the calzones warm alongside marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked breast chicken for the filling to save time.
- If you prefer, substitute fresh herbs for the dried oregano and basil for a fresher taste.
- The egg wash helps achieve a shiny, appetizing crust but can be omitted for a dairy-free or vegan alternative.
- Calzones can be wrapped tightly and frozen before baking; bake from frozen adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Serve with warmed marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
