Introduction
Transforming simple ingredients into a comforting, cheesy masterpiece is easier than you think! These Baked Chicken Alfredo Calzones are the ultimate weeknight dinner – satisfying, delicious, and perfect for families. Forget takeout; let’s make some magic in your kitchen!
Why This Works
This recipe is a winner because it combines everyone’s favorite things: creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and the warm, cheesy goodness of a calzone. It’s easy to customize, cooks up quickly, and is guaranteed to impress even picky eaters! Plus, it’s much healthier than ordering out.
Key Ingredients
- 🐔 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 🧀 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 🍝 1 cup Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 🍕 1 package (14.1 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
- 🌿 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 🥛 1/4 cup milk
- 🥚 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2️⃣ Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, parsley, and minced garlic. Stir until everything is well mixed.
3️⃣ Assemble the Calzones: Unroll the pizza dough. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. For each portion, roll it out slightly into a circle or oval. Place about 1/2 cup of the chicken Alfredo mixture in the center of each dough circle.
4️⃣ Fold and Seal: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork to make a decorative seal and prevent any filling from leaking out.
5️⃣ Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the calzones with the beaten egg.
6️⃣ Bake: Place the calzones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7️⃣ Rest & Serve: Let the calzones rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Handy Tips
- For even cooking, make sure your calzones are evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, dried parsley works too (use about 1 tablespoon).
- You can use different types of cheese if you like – a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan is delicious!
Heat Control
Baking at 400°F (200°C) ensures the crust gets golden brown and crispy while the filling cooks through perfectly. Don’t overbake, or the crust will become too hard.
Crunch Factor
The golden-brown, slightly crispy crust provides a delightful contrast to the creamy, cheesy filling. The perfect balance of textures makes these calzones irresistible!
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- To save time, use pre-shredded cheese.
- Leftover cooked chicken rotisserie chicken works perfectly!
Storage Tips
Store leftover calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Gift Packaging Ideas
These calzones make a great gift for potlucks or game days! Pack them in a decorative box or basket. Include a small card with reheating instructions.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Spicy Chicken Alfredo Calzones: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the filling.
🌟 Veggie Alfredo Calzones: Add sauteed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the filling.
🌟 Supreme Chicken Alfredo Calzones: Add diced pepperoni, ham, or bacon to the filling for a more savory twist.
🌟 Pesto Chicken Alfredo Calzones: Substitute pesto for some of the Alfredo sauce for a herby twist.
Troubleshooting
- Soggy Crust: If your crust is soggy, you might have overfilled the calzones or not baked them long enough. Try using less filling next time or increasing the baking time slightly.
- Burnt Crust: If your crust is burning too quickly, reduce the oven temperature by 25°F (12°C) and keep a closer eye on them.
- Undercooked Filling: If the filling is still cold in the center, increase the baking time by 2-3 minutes.
FAQ
- Can I freeze these calzones? Yes! Freeze them unbaked on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
- Can I use homemade pizza dough? Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the store bought pizza dough for your favorite homemade recipe.
- What kind of Alfredo sauce should I use? You can use store-bought or homemade Alfredo sauce; both work great!
- Can I make these ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the calzones ahead of time and bake them just before serving. Store the assembled, unbaked calzones in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Conclusion
These Baked Chicken Alfredo Calzones are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! They’re easy to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for any occasion. Share your creations with us on Ratemyrecipes.com – we can’t wait to see your cheesy masterpieces! Enjoy!
Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Calzones: Family Dinner Winner
Delicious calzones filled with creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chicken, and gooey cheese, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 package pizza dough
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220u00b0C (425u00b0F).
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut the dough into circles (about 6 inches in diameter).
- Place a generous scoop of the chicken and cheese mixture on one half of each dough circle.
- Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the tops of the calzones with the beaten egg and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips
- For extra flavor, add sautu00e9ed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the filling.
- Serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.