Chicken Calzones
Juicy chicken calzones stuffed with tender chicken, mushrooms, ham, and melted provolone, baked to perfection with flaky puff pastry—ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/2 medium onion ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons margarine ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups milk ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 package (17 1/4 oz.) frozen puff pastry ⓘ
- 8 slices ham ⓘ
- 4 slices provolone cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a greased 1-quart baking dish and cover with water.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until juices run clear, or cook on a Foreman Grill.
- Saute mushrooms and onion in butter until tender.
- Combine cornstarch and milk until smooth; stir into skillet with mushrooms and onion.
- Add basil, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil and cook until thickened.
- Drain chicken if necessary and cut into pieces.
- Cut puff pastry sheets in half widthwise.
- On one side of each pastry half, place a chicken breast, 1/4 cup mushroom mixture, two ham slices, and one cheese slice.
- Fold pastry over filling and seal edges.
- Place calzones on a greased baking sheet.
- Brush tops with milk if desired.
- Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker version, use rotisserie chicken instead of baking your own. You can replace provolone with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred. If you want to add more veggies, consider incorporating spinach or bell peppers into the mushroom mixture. For a golden finish, brush the tops with an egg wash instead of milk before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these calzones with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, which enhances their flavor. A fresh salad or steamed vegetables pairs nicely alongside for a balanced meal. You can also serve them with Zucchini Sauce for a tasty twist. These calzones are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in an oven preheated to 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through. This helps maintain the puff pastry's crispiness. You can also microwave them, but the texture may not be as good.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Calzones contains roughly 797 calories, with 44g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), calcium (113% of the Daily Value), and protein (87% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2413mg per serving (105% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze these calzones?
Yes, you can freeze unbaked calzones. Assemble them, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of puff pastry?
If you don't have puff pastry, you can use pizza dough or crescent roll dough as an alternative. Both will create a deliciously different texture but are great for calzones.
How can I make these calzones vegetarian?
To make vegetarian calzones, substitute the chicken and ham with a variety of vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach. You can also add ricotta cheese or a mix of your favorite cheeses for added flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).