Golden Chicken Parmesan Calzone Recipe: A Tasty Italian Twist

Melted cheese and crispy golden edges make this chicken parmesan calzone a weeknight dinner sensation that sparks instant hunger.

The classic Italian-American flavor combination bursts through a perfectly sealed pocket of deliciousness.

Tender chicken pieces blend seamlessly with rich marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella inside a pillowy dough embrace.

Every bite promises a delightful crunch and a burst of savory goodness that keeps you coming back for more.

The recipe strikes a perfect balance between comfort food and gourmet appeal.

Home cooks can whip up this restaurant-worthy dish with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Dive into this mouthwatering creation and savor a meal that transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Parmesan Calzone Ingredient Rundown

• Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy canvas for creating a delicious enclosed meal, choose fresh or pre-made dough with good elasticity.
• Chicken Tenders: Tender protein that adds hearty texture, select fresh or frozen strips with minimal additives.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty delight that provides rich smoothness, pick full-fat variety for best stretchy consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty accent that elevates overall flavor, opt for freshly grated for maximum taste intensity.
• Pizza Sauce: Zesty tomato base that brings moisture and tanginess, look for robust, well-seasoned sauce without excessive sweetness.

• Butter: Golden enrichment that creates beautiful golden-brown exterior, select unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Flour: Essential for preventing sticky dough during preparation, use all-purpose for smooth rolling surface.

Tools for Prepping Chicken Parmesan Calzones

• Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet: Essential for evenly baking the calzone and creating a crispy crust.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for stretching the pizza dough into a thin, even circle.
• Knife: Needed for cutting slits in the calzone and slicing it after baking.
• Pastry Brush: Great for spreading melted butter on top of the calzone.
• Cutting Board: Useful for slicing chicken tenders and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure sauce and cheese quantities.

How to Fold and Bake Chicken Parmesan Calzones

• Dough Preparation

Grab your favorite pizza dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a beautiful circular shape. The goal is to create a canvas for your delicious calzone.

• Flavor Foundation

Spread a generous layer of zesty pizza sauce on one half of the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. This will be the flavor base of your mouthwatering creation.

• Chicken and Cheese Layer

Scatter sliced chicken tenders across the sauced area. Blanket the chicken with a hearty sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich and creamy landscape.

• Folding and Sealing

Carefully fold the bare half of the dough over the cheesy chicken filling. Press and crimp the edges together, creating a perfect pocket that locks in all the delicious goodness.

• Oven Magic

Place your calzone on a greased baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter and make a few small slits to allow steam to escape. Slide it into a preheated oven and let the transformation begin.

• Final Touches

After the initial baking, add a final layer of sauce and cheese on top. Return to the oven for a few more minutes until the cheese becomes golden and bubbly.

• Serving

Let the calzone rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Slice into strips and serve hot, watching everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation.

Flavor Tips for Calzones That Don’t Dry Out

• Replace chicken tenders with grilled shrimp, pulled pork, or sliced Italian sausage for a flavor-packed adventure that keeps the meal exciting and versatile.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like provolone, fontina, or ricotta to add depth and complexity to the calzone's cheesy interior, creating a more gourmet experience.
• Kick the heat by adding red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a drizzle of hot sauce inside the calzone for those who crave an extra zesty bite that tingles the taste buds.
• Serve with homemade marinara, garlic aioli, or ranch dressing on the side to elevate the calzone's flavor profile and provide a fun, interactive eating experience for family and friends.

Serving Chicken Parmesan Calzones with Sauce

• Dinner Party Delight: Slice the calzone into bite-sized pieces and serve as an appetizer during gatherings, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair the calzone with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy flavors and add some freshness to the meal.
• Dipping Sensation: Prepare extra pizza sauce or marinara on the side for guests to dip their calzone slices, creating an interactive and enjoyable eating experience.
• Wine Companion: Complement the hearty calzone with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the robust tomato and cheese flavors.

Storage for Leftover Chicken Parmesan Calzones

• Refrigerator Hero Storage: Keep leftover calzone in an airtight container for maximum freshness, staying delicious up to 3-4 days. Wrap individual pieces in aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Quick Reheat Magic: Warm refrigerated slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, restoring crispy edges and melty cheese. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy crust texture.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Wrap completely cooled calzone in plastic wrap, then heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months for future quick meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Portion Control Strategy: Cut calzone into smaller sections before storing, making grab-and-go lunches easier. Use meal prep containers to separate slices, ensuring convenient single-serving options for busy weekdays.

Golden Chicken Parmesan Calzone Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade chicken parmesan calzone combines classic Italian flavors in a crispy, golden-brown pocket of deliciousness. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and marinara sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6–7 fully cooked crispy chicken tenders (such as Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips), sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup (40 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 16–20 oz (454–567 g) pizza dough
• ¾ cup (180 ml) pizza sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, melted
• Flour (for dusting the dough)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and position rack in center for even baking.
2. Chicken Preparation: Cook chicken tenders until fully cooked, then slice into bite-sized pieces ensuring uniform distribution throughout the calzone.
3. Dough Handling: Flour a work surface and stretch pizza dough into a 12-inch circular shape, creating a spacious canvas for filling.
4. Sauce and Base Layer: Spread pizza sauce across half the dough, leaving a small perimeter for sealing, then evenly distribute chicken strips over the sauced section.
5. Cheese Layer: Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over chicken, covering completely to guarantee a rich, melted interior.
6. Folding and Sealing: Fold bare dough half over filled side, forming a classic half-moon shape, then meticulously crimp edges to prevent filling escape.
7. Pre-Baking Preparation: Transfer calzone to a greased baking sheet, brush surface with melted butter, and cut three strategic steam vents on top.
8. Initial Baking: Bake for 20 minutes until dough achieves a golden-brown complexion, signaling crisp exterior development.
9. Final Touches: Remove from oven, delicately spread additional pizza sauce across top, sprinkle remaining mozzarella, and return to oven for a final 10-minute melting session.
10. Serving: Allow calzone to rest 5-7 minutes, then slice and serve immediately, revealing a tempting interior of cheese, chicken, and sauce.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use a preheated baking stone or pizza pan to ensure crisp, golden dough without moisture buildup.
• Seal Like a Pro: Crimp edges firmly and create steam vents to prevent filling leakage and maintain perfect calzone structure.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Layer cheeses strategically to guarantee even melting and maximum flavor in every bite.
• Resting is Key: Allow calzone to cool briefly after baking to let filling set and prevent burning your mouth with hot ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg