Description
Hearty chicken parmesan calzone wraps classic Italian flavors into a crispy, golden-brown pocket of deliciousness. Melted mozzarella, tender chicken, and marinara sauce combine to make each bite a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6–7 fully cooked crispy chicken tenders (such as Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips), sliced
Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Dough and Extras:
- 16–20 ounces (454–567 grams) pizza dough
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) pizza sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter, melted
- Flour (for dusting the dough)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), ensuring a perfectly crisp exterior for the calzone.
- If using frozen chicken tenders, cook them thoroughly according to package instructions, then slice into bite-sized strips for optimal distribution throughout the calzone.
- Dust a clean work surface with flour and carefully stretch the pizza dough into a generous circular shape, approximately 12 inches in diameter.
- Spread pizza sauce generously on one half of the dough, maintaining a small border around the edges to prevent leakage during baking.
- Layer the sliced chicken strips evenly across the sauced dough, creating a consistent protein base for the calzone.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage for a rich, melty texture.
- Gently fold the bare half of the dough over the filled side, creating a classic half-moon shape.
- Carefully seal the edges by pressing and crimping with your fingers, preventing any filling from escaping during baking.
- Transfer the assembled calzone to a lightly greased baking sheet, then brush the surface with melted butter for a golden, glossy finish.
- Create three small strategic slits on the top to allow steam to escape and prevent potential burst-outs.
- Bake the calzone for 20 minutes until the dough turns a beautiful golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and delicately spread additional pizza sauce across the top, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce, creating an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
- Return to the oven for a final 10-minute bake, allowing the cheese to melt completely and become irresistibly bubbly.
- Once removed, let the calzone rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the filling to settle and cool slightly.
- Slice into strips and serve immediately, revealing the delectable layers of chicken, sauce, and melted cheese.
Notes
- Perfectly seal the edges to prevent cheese and sauce from leaking during baking, ensuring a deliciously intact calzone.
- Create slits on top to allow steam to escape, which helps achieve a crispy, golden-brown crust without soggy dough.
- Use pre-cooked chicken tenders for a quick and convenient meal that saves time without compromising on flavor.
- Brush the calzone with melted butter before baking to enhance the golden color and add a rich, buttery taste to the crust.
- Let the calzone rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and make slicing easier without burning your mouth.
- Customize the filling by adding your favorite herbs like basil or oregano, or include additional vegetables for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg