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
Scale
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
