Chicken Parmesan Calzone 🍕
Ingredients:
Flour for dusting
8-ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese
16-20 ounces pizza dough
6-7 fully cooked crispy chicken tenders, sliced
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup pizza sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using frozen chicken tenders, cook them according to the package instructions. Once cooked, slice them into smaller pieces and set aside.
Prepare the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, stretch and roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle, similar to a pizza base. Ensure the dough is evenly spread and not too thick.
Add the Sauce:
Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce on one half of the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. This will prevent the sauce from spilling out while baking.
Layer the Fillings:
On the same sauced half, layer 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and the sliced chicken tenders. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed.
Fold and Seal the Calzone:
Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together, then use your fingers or a fork to crimp the edges tightly and seal the calzone.
Prepare for Baking:
Place the calzone on a greased baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter for a golden, flavorful crust. Using a sharp knife, cut three 1/2-inch slits on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
First Bake:
Bake the calzone in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove it from the oven and spread the remaining 1/4 cup of pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
Second Bake:
Return the calzone to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.
Cool and Serve:
Let the calzone cool for 5-7 minutes before slicing. This allows the filling to settle and makes slicing easier. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins | Servings: 4-6
20 tips for perfecting your Chicken Parmesan Calzone 🍕:
- Use Fresh Dough: Fresh pizza dough yields the best results. If using frozen dough, let it thaw and rise completely before rolling.
- Roll Dough Evenly: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking. An even thickness helps avoid undercooked or overcooked spots.
- Avoid Overfilling: Don’t overstuff the calzone. Too much filling can cause the dough to tear or make it difficult to bake evenly.
- Seal Edges Properly: Press and crimp the edges well to prevent filling from leaking out during baking.
- Preheat Baking Sheet: Place the baking sheet in the oven while it preheats for a crisper bottom crust.
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken tenders with Italian seasoning or garlic powder before cooking to enhance the flavor.
- Add Herbs: Sprinkle dried oregano or basil on the filling for added flavor.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure cheese and other ingredients are at room temperature for better melting and mixing.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Mix minced garlic into melted butter before brushing on the calzone for extra flavor.
- Cut Steam Holes: Make sure to cut slits on top to allow steam to escape, which prevents sogginess.
- Try Different Cheeses: Experiment with cheeses like provolone or fontina for varied flavors.
- Pre-Cook the Chicken: Ensure the chicken tenders are crispy and cooked thoroughly before adding to the calzone.
- Add Vegetables: Include cooked vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms in the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use a Pizza Stone: If available, bake on a preheated pizza stone for an even, crispy crust.
- Add Parmesan Topping: Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top of the calzone before the final bake for a golden, cheesy finish.
- Check Doneness: Use a thermometer to ensure the calzone is heated to at least 165°F (74°C) in the center.
- Avoid Soggy Dough: If the calzone seems soggy, sprinkle a light layer of breadcrumbs on the sauce before adding cheese.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the calzone cool for 5-7 minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set and make cutting easier.
- Serve with Extras: Serve with extra pizza sauce or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Freeze for Later: You can freeze unbaked calzones for a quick meal later. Just wrap them tightly and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Chicken Parmesan Calzone 🍕
Ingredients
- Flour for dusting
- 8- ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16-20 ounces pizza dough
- 6-7 fully cooked crispy chicken tenders sliced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using frozen chicken tenders, cook them according to the package instructions. Once cooked, slice them into smaller pieces and set aside.
- Prepare the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, stretch and roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle, similar to a pizza base. Ensure the dough is evenly spread and not too thick.
- Add the Sauce:
- Spread 1/2 cup of pizza sauce on one half of the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. This will prevent the sauce from spilling out while baking.
- Layer the Fillings:
- On the same sauced half, layer 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and the sliced chicken tenders. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed.
- Fold and Seal the Calzone:
- Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together, then use your fingers or a fork to crimp the edges tightly and seal the calzone.
- Prepare for Baking:
- Place the calzone on a greased baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter for a golden, flavorful crust. Using a sharp knife, cut three 1/2-inch slits on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
- First Bake:
- Bake the calzone in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove it from the oven and spread the remaining 1/4 cup of pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Second Bake:
- Return the calzone to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the calzone cool for 5-7 minutes before slicing. This allows the filling to settle and makes slicing easier. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins | Servings: 4-6