Description
This Creamy Chicken Calzone recipe offers a delicious and comforting Italian-inspired meal featuring tender diced chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich ricotta cheese filling, all wrapped in a golden, homemade or store-bought pizza dough crust. Perfectly baked until golden and served with optional marinara sauce, these calzones make a satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 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
Dough and Assembly
- 12 ounces pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons flour, for rolling dough
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Optional
- Marinara sauce, for serving
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: 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.
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the cooked chicken into ½-inch pieces and roughly chop the fresh spinach to prepare for the filling.
- Mix Filling: Separate one egg, placing the yolk in a medium bowl and the white in a separate bowl. To the yolk, add ricotta cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and salt, mixing well. Stir in the chopped spinach until evenly combined.
- Roll Dough: Divide the pizza dough into four equal pieces. Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Roll each piece into a 7-inch diameter circle for the calzone base.
- Assemble Calzones: Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture over half of each dough circle, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Evenly distribute the diced chicken and shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the filling.
- Seal Calzones: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal and then fold and roll the edge to form a decorative ridge to ensure they stay closed during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Combine the reserved egg white with the remaining whole egg and whisk. Brush this egg wash generously over the tops of the calzones for a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake: Place the calzones on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Optionally, sprinkle the baked calzones with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping to enjoy a full flavorful experience.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly cooked chicken or quality leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Be sure to seal the edges of the calzones well to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- The egg wash not only adds color but helps create a slightly crispy crust.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding other vegetables or herbs of your choice.
- If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute the pizza dough with a gluten-free dough.
- Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
