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Chicken & Pesto Calzones Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 88 reviews

These Chicken & Pesto Calzones combine tender cooked chicken, fresh basil pesto, and gooey mozzarella inside a crispy, golden pizza dough pocket. Perfect for a savory, satisfying meal ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 10 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 20-ounce ball of pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, divided
  • ¼ cup basil pesto
  • 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ounce freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 1 medium egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the ChickenHeat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic, season lightly, and cook 5–6 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Preheat OvenHeat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Prepare the DoughDivide pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ¼-inch thick round.
  4. Mix the FillingIn a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, ¼ cup marinara, pesto, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Assemble CalzonesSpoon filling onto one half of each dough round. Fold dough over filling, press edges firmly, and crimp to seal.
  6. BakeArrange calzones on the baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake 14–16 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Cool & ServeLet rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with the remaining marinara for dipping.

Notes

  • Let calzones rest 10 minutes before serving to allow filling to set and avoid burns.
  • Serve with remaining marinara sauce for dipping.

Keywords: Chicken calzones, Pesto calzones, Easy Italian dinner, Homemade calzones, Chicken pizza pockets

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/chicken-and-pesto-calzones-recipe/