Today I am sharing an amazing recipe for Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheese Calzones. This recipe is from, Jessica McCoy, is a recipe developer, writer and food photographer blogging over at AllSheCooks.com. If you got intimidated when you thought of making homemade calzones, don’t be. Her cheese calzone recipe is actually pretty easy to make.
More often than not, you’ll find me in the kitchen preparing meals from scratch for my family. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t even have to be difficult. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming. It just has to be good. All of my recipes focus on being homemade, easy, and delicious
Lately, I’ve been playing around with pizza dough. I’ve been cooking up delicious calzones, pizzas, and bread sticks. All with a super simple pizza dough that is no fail. You really can’t go wrong with this dough. I kid you not.
Like with these healthy chicken vegetable calzones. Now… I’m sure you saw the broccoli in the picture. Yes, these are chicken, broccoli and cheese calzones. The beauty of this recipe is that if you make it as is, you get all the protein, veggies and dairy in one tidy meal. If, however, your family is not down with broccoli… omit it for a plain chicken calzone recipe. If you’d like a vegetarian calzone recipe, just leave out the chicken. Simple as that!
But… don’t forget the sauce for dipping! Served on the side, a pizza sauce or marinara sauce is a key part of the presentation.
How To Make Chicken And Broccoli Calzone:
First: Make your pizza dough. Whatever pizza dough you want. I’m partial to the homemade yeast dough our family uses (link to dough recipe above) but use what you like. Or even store bought fresh pizza dough from your bakery department will work just fine.
There are two different methods I like to use for making calzones. The first is making a braid out of the dough (learn how to braid dough here). Super easy!
The second option, a simple half moon. Make a circle out of your dough (rolling, pressing or stretching), load half of it with fillings, and fold it over. Press the dough together and seal. This is probably the most traditional calzone method.
For both of these methods you can use a pastry brush to paint on some egg wash or butter to give the outside a golden brown appearance. Egg wash results in a deeper golden tone than butter.
Now, with my chicken, broccoli and cheese calzones, I chose the braid method. I think it offers a gorgeous presentation. But that’s just me. You choose whichever method works for you.
Chicken Broccoli and Cheese Calzone Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- 1 cup frozen broccoli florets (thawed, patted dry)
- 1/2 pound cooked chicken breast (chopped or shredded)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon pizza/pasta seasoning (I use Dean Jacob’s)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How To Make Broccoli Calzones
Preheat oven to 425.
Mix together calzone filling- broccoli, chicken, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and seasonings.
On a lightly floured surface, roll, or press out dough. Either into a large rectangle if braiding, or divide dough with a sharp knife into 4 and press into circles if making enclosed calzones. If using the fold over pocket shape, be sure to cut a few small slits into the top of each calzone for the steam to escape.
Fill with chicken and broccoli mixture and braid or fold dough and press together to close. Brush top with egg wash or melted butter for a golden brown when baked. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake at 425 for 12-18 minutes. If you are baking on a pizza stone, you will likely need to bake for a few minutes longer. If you are baking 4 half moon calzones they will take less time, check after 6-8 minutes.
Serve with marinara or pizza sauce. We love homemade calzones and we think you will too!
Printable Chicken Calzone Recipe Card
Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheese Calzone Recipe
Ingredients
- pizza dough
- 1 cup frozen broccoli (thawed, patted dry)
- 1/2 pound cooked chicken breast (chopped or shredded)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon pizza/pasta seasoning (I use Dean Jacob’s)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Mix together calzone filling- broccoli, chicken, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and seasonings.
- Roll, or press out dough into either a rectangle if braiding or a circle if making enclosed calzones.
- Fill with chicken and broccoli mix and braid or press dough together to close.
- Brush top with egg wash or melted butter for a golden brown when baked.
- Bake at 425 for 12-18 minutes.
- Serve with marinara or pizza sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheese Calzone Recipe
Serves: 4
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 381.52 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 23.78 g | 35.4% | |
| Saturated Fat 13.99 g | 65% | |
| Trans Fat 0.19 g | ||
| Cholesterol 125.56 mg | 41.7% | |
| Sodium 444.56 mg | 18.5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 4.89 g | 1.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0.73 g | 0% | |
| Sugars 0.94 g | ||
| Protein 36.27 g | ||
| Vitamin A 21.43 % | Vitamin C 22.6 % | |
| Calcium 45.1 % | Iron 6.95 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Conclusion
While you can serve this broccoli calzone recipe just as it is, I like to add a few sides. I can’t help but want to dip my calzones into marina sauce and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese!
Calzones are a popular Italian dish that offers several appealing qualities. Calzones are essentially folded pizzas, making them easy to eat on the go. They are self-contained, so they can be a convenient meal option for picnics, lunchboxes, or quick dinners. The combination of a crispy, golden crust with warm, melted cheese and flavorful fillings is universally appealing. The enclosed nature of a calzone helps to keep the fillings moist and flavorful.
I hope you enjoy this chicken, broccoli, cheese calzone recipe and don’t forget to just leave out the chicken if you need a vegetarian calzone recipe that is still full of great flavor. Do you make this broccoli calzone recipe? Share your photos with us on social media @familyfocusblog!
Related Posts:
Basil Tomato Soup Recipe With Grilled Cheese
Tammy S says
Wow these traditional calzones were delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Miranda Imperi says
I love this recipe! It is so easy and delicious. I’m always looking for new recipes that will satisfy the whole family, so thanks! I like to sprinkle garlic powder over the chicken mixture before I bake.