BBQ Chicken Calzones Recipe

Chicken breast: Cooked and shredded, this is the main protein for the calzones.

Bbq sauce: Adds a smoky and sweet flavor to the chicken.

Mozzarella cheese: Provides a gooey, melty texture that complements the BBQ chicken.

Red onion: Adds a tangy crunch to the filling.

Cilantro: Fresh and aromatic, it adds a burst of flavor.

Pizza dough: The base that holds all the delicious fillings together.

When sealing the edges of your calzones, ensure you press firmly and crimp the edges with a fork to prevent any filling from leaking out during baking. This will help maintain the integrity of the calzone and keep the flavors locked inside. Additionally, brushing the dough with olive oil before baking not only gives a beautiful golden color but also adds a subtle richness to the crust.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breast, making it a suitable alternative.

• bbq sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor that can complement the other ingredients in a similar way to BBQ sauce.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese melts well and offers a slightly sharper flavor that can add a different but enjoyable taste to the calzones.

• red onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a milder flavor compared to red onions but can still provide the necessary crunch and sweetness.

• fresh cilantro - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley offers a similar fresh and slightly peppery flavor, making it a good alternative to cilantro.

• pizza dough - Substitute with puff pastry: Puff pastry can be used to create a flaky and buttery crust, offering a different but delicious texture for the calzones.

• Allow the BBQ chicken calzones to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dough soggy.

• Wrap each calzone individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.

• Place the wrapped calzones in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This extra layer of protection helps maintain their flavor and texture.

• Store the container or bag in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the calzones within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.

• If freezing, label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long they’ve been stored.

• When ready to eat, you can reheat refrigerated calzones in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. For frozen calzones, you can either thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or bake them directly from frozen. If baking from frozen, increase the baking time to 20-25 minutes.

• For a quicker reheating option, you can use a microwave. Place the calzone on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure it’s heated through. Note that microwaving may result in a softer crust compared to oven reheating.

• To maintain the crispiness of the dough, consider reheating in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the calzone is heated through and the crust is crispy.

• Avoid reheating multiple times, as this can dry out the chicken and make the dough tough. Only reheat the amount you plan to eat immediately.

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover BBQ Chicken Calzones on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through and the cheese is melted again.

• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the calzone on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking to ensure it is heated evenly.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the calzones in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.

• For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the calzone in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the filling is hot and the dough is crispy.

• If you prefer a toaster oven, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the calzones on the rack or a baking tray and heat for 10-12 minutes, or until warmed through and the crust is golden.

• Oven: Used to bake the calzones at the specified temperature until they are golden brown.

• Mixing bowl: Used to mix the shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce.

• Rolling pin: Helps in rolling out the pizza dough evenly.

• Knife: Used to cut the pizza dough into four equal pieces.

• Baking sheet: Where the calzones are placed for baking.

• Pastry brush: Used to brush olive oil on the calzones before baking.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to slice the red onion and chop the cilantro.

• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of ingredients like BBQ sauce, cheese, and red onion.

• Spatula: Helps in transferring the calzones to the baking sheet.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the cooked and shredded chicken.

Prepare the filling in advance: Cook and shred the chicken breast ahead of time. Mix it with bbq sauce and store in the fridge.

Use pre-made dough: Save time by using store-bought pizza dough instead of making it from scratch.

Pre-slice ingredients: Thinly slice the red onion and chop the cilantro beforehand.

Assemble in batches: Lay out all pieces of dough and add fillings to each one simultaneously.

Quick bake: Use a preheated oven and bake all calzones together to save time.