Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Calzone Recipe for Italian Night

Crispy golden edges and melted cheese define this incredible chicken parmesan calzone that promises restaurant-quality flavors right in your kitchen.

Layers of savory ingredients nestle inside a perfectly folded dough pocket waiting to surprise you.

Authentic Italian techniques meet modern comfort food in this delightful recipe.

You can easily master this crowd-pleasing dish with just a few simple steps.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of marinara, tender chicken, and gooey mozzarella.

Warm, satisfying, and packed with bold seasonings, this calzone will quickly become a weeknight dinner favorite.

Dive into this mouthwatering creation and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Chicken Parmesan Calzone Standout Qualities

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up this delicious chicken parmesan calzone with minimal prep and simple ingredients, perfect for busy families seeking a satisfying meal.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily swap chicken tenders for leftover grilled chicken, add extra veggies, or experiment with different cheese blends to suit your taste preferences.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Packed with cheesy goodness and familiar flavors, this calzone appeals to both children and adults, making mealtime a stress-free experience.
• Minimal Kitchen Skills Required: No advanced cooking techniques needed – just basic assembly and baking skills make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all levels.

Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Calzone

• Chicken Tenders: Juicy protein that serves as the star of the calzone.
• Pizza Dough: Soft and stretchy base that holds all the delicious fillings.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy and melty cheese that adds rich texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and sharp cheese that brings extra flavor.
• Pizza Sauce: Tangy tomato sauce that provides moisture and taste.

• Butter: Rich ingredient for brushing the top of the calzone.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall flavor.

Directions for Making Chicken Parmesan Calzone

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400 °F, getting ready for calzone deliciousness.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

If using frozen chicken tenders, cook them according to package instructions.

Slice the cooked tenders into bite-sized strips and set aside.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Spread out your pizza dough into a generous 12-inch circle, creating a perfect canvas for your calzone adventure.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Foundation

On one half of the dough, spread a generous layer of pizza sauce, leaving a border around the edges.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Sliced chicken tenders

Step 5: Shape and Seal

Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling, creating a beautiful half-moon shape.

Firmly pinch the edges to seal in all the wonderful ingredients.

Step 6: Prep for Baking

Place the calzone on a greased baking sheet.

Brush the top with melted butter and create three small slits on the surface to allow steam to escape.

Step 7: First Bake

Slide the calzone into the oven and bake for 20 minutes until it starts to turn golden brown.

Step 8: Final Cheese Flourish

• Pizza sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Let the calzone cool for 5-7 minutes, then slice into strips and serve hot.

Watch as everyone dives into this cheesy, chicken-filled masterpiece!

Chicken Calzone Pro Tips

• Replace frozen chicken tenders with grilled, rotisserie, or leftover roasted chicken for varied flavor profiles and textures.
• Preheat a baking sheet or pizza stone before placing the calzone to ensure a crispy, golden-brown crust that doesn't become wet or doughy.
• Use a fork to crimp and press the dough edges tightly, preventing cheese and sauce from leaking during baking and creating a clean, professional-looking seal.
• Brush the calzone top with egg wash or olive oil instead of melted butter for a more golden, glossy, and crunchy exterior that adds extra visual appeal.
• Prepare marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli on the side to enhance flavor and provide a fun, interactive eating experience for guests.

How to Store and Heat Chicken Parmesan Calzone

• Store leftover calzone in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual calzone portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, which preserves quality for up to 2 months.
• Warm refrigerated calzone at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety and crispy texture.
• Heat refrigerated calzone on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, rotating halfway through to distribute heat evenly, though this method might soften the crust.

Great Pairings for Chicken Parmesan Calzone

• Perfectly Paired Wine Selection: Opt for a crisp, medium-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese that cuts through the richness of the cheese and complements the savory chicken.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Serve with a cold, light Italian-style lager or pilsner that balances the calzone's heavy texture and provides a clean, crisp contrast.
• Zesty Side Salad Companion: Create a bright arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add freshness and cut through the calzone's rich, cheesy profile, offering a palate-cleansing element.
• Herb-Infused Dipping Sauce: Prepare a quick basil-garlic aioli or marinara for extra flavor that enhances the calzone's Italian-inspired taste and provides a tangy, aromatic accompaniment.

Ways to Customize Chicken Parmesan Calzone

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Crust Calzone: Replace traditional pizza dough with a cauliflower crust for a gluten-free, lower-carb option that keeps the classic chicken parmesan flavors intact.
• Vegetarian Eggplant Replacement: Swap chicken tenders with grilled eggplant slices and use plant-based mozzarella for a meat-free version that maintains the cheesy, Italian-inspired profile.
• Keto-Friendly Almond Flour Wrap: Create a low-carb version using an almond flour wrap, reducing carbohydrates while preserving the rich, savory chicken parmesan taste.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives and olive oil instead of butter to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals without sacrificing the calzone's core flavors.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the calzone from getting soggy?

Avoid overloading the filling and ensure the pizza sauce isn’t too watery. Blot chicken tenders with paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding them to the calzone.

• Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Absolutely! Homemade dough works great and can add more flavor to your calzone. Just make sure it’s rolled out to the same 12-inch circle size specified in the recipe.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Cooked chicken tenders or leftover grilled chicken are perfect. You can also use rotisserie chicken or cook fresh chicken breast strips for a more personalized touch.

• How can I make sure the calzone is sealed properly?

Press the edges firmly with a fork or pinch them together by hand. Make sure there are no gaps to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

Chicken Parmesan Calzone Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delectable chicken parmesan calzone wraps classic Italian flavors into a crispy, golden-crusted pocket of pure comfort. Melted mozzarella, tender chicken, and marinara sauce create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1620 ounces (45.94 kilograms) pizza dough
• 67 fully cooked crispy chicken tenders, sliced
• 8 ounces (226.8 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) grated parmesan cheese

Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) pizza sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter, melted

Coating Ingredient:

• flour for dough

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 400 °F, preparing for a golden culinary adventure.
2. If working with frozen chicken tenders, follow package instructions to cook them thoroughly until perfectly tender.
3. Carefully slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized strips, setting them aside for the upcoming flavor-packed assembly.
4. Gently stretch and roll the dough into a generous 12-inch circular canvas, mimicking a traditional pizza base.
5. Strategically spread pizza sauce across one half of the dough, maintaining a clean one-inch border around the perimeter.
6. Layer the prepared section with a generous blanket of mozzarella cheese, sprinkle the parmesan generously, and arrange the chicken strips in an even, appetizing pattern.
7. Gracefully fold the bare half of the dough over the lavish filling, creating a crescent moon shape, and meticulously crimp the edges to create a secure seal.
8. Transfer the calzone onto a lightly greased baking sheet, then lovingly brush the surface with melted butter for a golden sheen.
9. Create three strategic half-inch vents using a sharp knife to allow steam escape during baking.
10. Bake for 20 minutes until the exterior turns a beautiful golden brown.
11. Carefully remove from the oven, then artfully distribute additional pizza sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella, again respecting the one-inch border.
12. Return to the oven for a final 10-minute crisping session.
13. Once removed, allow the calzone to rest and cool for 5-7 minutes, then slice into inviting strips ready for serving.

Notes

• Use high-quality mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan for maximum flavor complexity.
• Chicken tenders can be swapped with rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast for variety.
• Ensure dough is rolled thin and evenly to prevent thick, doughy sections in the calzone.
• Seal edges tightly with a fork to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Allow calzone to rest after baking so cheese sets and becomes less runny.
• Create gluten-free version by using cauliflower pizza crust or gluten-free dough alternatives.
• Add extra herbs like basil or oregano inside filling for more aromatic profile.
• Brush egg wash instead of butter for shinier, golden-brown exterior crust.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1075 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg