Name: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Calzones
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 calzones
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 to 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey (shredded); 2 cups broccoli (steamed and roughly chopped); 2 cup shredded cheese (such as sharp cheddar); 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 batch homemade pizza dough or 2 pounds store-bought pizza dough

Cheesy chicken and broccoli calzonesare gooey bites of pizza-like goodness that are easy to make and enjoy!

Were you ever a fan of Hot Pockets? They’re like these fun little handheld pizza rolls filled with the most incredible toppings.These cheesy chicken and broccoli calzones are basically like Hot Pockets’ grown-up big sister. Pair them with something fresh and delicious likeCucumber and Tomato SaladorApple Saladand you’ll have everything you could want and more in an easy meal.

If you’re a pizza lover, you’ve got to give them a try. They’re made with pizza dough and filled generously with broccoli, cheddar cheese, shredded chicken, and some savory seasonings. The result? A melty, gooey, crusty bite of delicious ingredients that brings the fun back into dinner time. Score!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort Food:There’s just something so comforting about things wrapped up in bread, especially if it’s homemade.
Customizable:These are so easy to customize – just change up the fillings and the cheese to suit your tastes or please a picky eater.
Freezer Friendly:These freezeso well. You can make a double batch and have some for another dinner in the future.

Ingredients

Cooked, Shredded Chicken or Turkey
Broccoli
Shredded Cheese:such as sharp cheddar
Onion
Salt & Pepper
Garlic Powder
Homemade Pizza DoughOR2 pounds Store-Bought Pizza Dough

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Popular Substitutions and Variations

What kinds of things do you like on pizza? – that’s a great place to start for variations:

Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch
Sausage, Artichoke Hearts
Ricotta & Spinach
Buffalo Chicken, Ranch or Bleu Cheese Dressing, & Mozzarella
etc!

How to Make Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Calzones

Step #1.Mix the chicken, cheese, broccoli, onion, and spices together in a bowl.

Step #3.Place about a half cup of the filling mixture just to one side of center of each circle. Using your finger, wet half the circle’s edge, then fold it over and press it closed with a fork.

Step #2.Divide the dough into six parts and roll each part into an thin circle about 8-9 inches wide.

Step #4.Place the closed calzones on a prepared baking sheet or baking stone then bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Are calzone and pizza dough the same?

Pretty much! For this recipe, it is. In fact, most pizza dough is just bread dough that’s flattened and topped with other goodies. You can either make a batch of homemade pizza dough or get two pounds of prepped dough from the store to use.

What comes in a calzone?

You can put whatever you like on pizza inside a calzone. Fill these guys with all the sauce, cheese, meats, and veggies that you love! You can also have fun with “dessert” calzones and pack in some brown sugar, marshmallow fluff, nuts, and chocolate.

How thick should calzone dough be?

I like to get the dough nice and thin, but still thick enough that it doesn’t break when you fill it up. Generally, 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick is perfect.

Do you eat a calzone with your hands?

This is totally up to personal preference! These guys can be big and sloppy, depending on how stuffed you make them, but the crust should hold them together fairly well. However you eat it, you’ll love it either way!

Why are calzones called calzones?

Calzone actually comes from the Italian term “calza,” which means stocking. It’s sort of like a stuffed Christmas stocking filled with food! Yum!

Expert Tips

Don’t overfill your dough.It’s super tempting to do but then they are harder to close and keep closed while moving and baking.
Cut a couple little slits in the top to allow steam to escape.It helps them bake evenly and the crust to be baked instead of steamed from the inside.
An egg wash(an egg beat with a little water )brushed over the top will make the top of the calzone shiny and extra brown.

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This post was originally published in 2010 and has been updated and rephotographed in July 2019.