Chicken Spinach Calzone: 1 Painful Mistake

Okay, so picture this: it’s a chilly evening, you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and totally satisfying, but you don’t want to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. That’s where this Chicken Spinach Calzone recipe swoops in to save the day! Seriously, nothing beats the feeling of pulling a golden-brown, bubbly calzone out of the oven. It’s like a little pocket of pure comfort food joy.

Now, I’ve made my fair share of calzones over the years – some perfect, some… well, let’s just say they were “rustic.” But this Chicken Spinach Calzone? This one’s a winner. It’s got that classic cheesy goodness, but the chicken adds a lovely heartiness, and the spinach sneaks in just enough green to make you feel vaguely healthy (don’t tell anyone!). It’s become one of my absolute go-to dinners when I need something easy, delicious, and guaranteed to make everyone happy.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Spinach Calzone

Alright, so why *this* Chicken Spinach Calzone? Because it’s just plain fantastic, that’s why! It hits all the right notes without being complicated. Seriously, if you’re looking for a new favorite weeknight meal, this might just be it. Here’s the lowdown on why this calzone is going to become a staple in your kitchen:

• It’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking minimal fuss here. If you can handle some pre-made dough and a mixing bowl, you’re golden. Perfect for those nights when you’re tired but still want something homemade and delicious.
• The flavor combo is spot on. Chicken, spinach, and all that glorious cheese? It’s classic comfort food with a little something extra. It’s savory, creamy, and totally satisfying.
• Super versatile! Got some leftover chicken? Perfect! Want to toss in some sautéed mushrooms or onions? Go for it! This recipe is really forgiving and lets you play around with what you have on hand.
• Kid-friendly (mostly!). Okay, maybe the spinach takes a little convincing for some kiddos, but the cheesy, bready goodness is usually a huge hit. Plus, it’s fun to eat!

Basically, it’s a win-win-win situation. Easy to make, tastes amazing, and you can customize it. What’s not to love?

Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Spinach Calzone

Okay, before we dive into getting our hands deliciously messy, let’s make sure we’ve got the right tools for the job. Nothing fancy needed here, just some basic kitchen stuff you probably already own! Having these ready will make whipping up your Chicken Spinach Calzone a breeze.

• A baking sheet: You’ll need this to bake your beautiful calzone on. Line it with parchment paper for super easy cleanup!
• A large mixing bowl: This is where we’ll get our filling all mixed up and happy.
• A rolling pin: To get that pizza dough nice and flat and ready for stuffing.
• A fork: Handy for crimping those edges and making sure everything is sealed tight.
• A pastry brush: For giving your calzone that lovely egg wash and olive oil shine before it hits the oven.

See? Nothing scary! Just the essentials to get that golden, cheesy goodness happening.

Ingredients for the Perfect Chicken Spinach Calzone

Alright, let’s talk about what goes *inside* these little pockets of joy! The beauty of this Chicken Spinach Calzone is that the ingredients are simple, readily available, and they come together to create something seriously delicious. You don’t need a million fancy things, just good quality basics. Here’s everything you’ll need to gather up:

• 1 pound pizza dough: You can totally make your own if you’re feeling ambitious, but honestly? Store-bought is totally fine and makes this recipe SO much faster. Look for a good quality one in the refrigerated section.
• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded: This is where leftover rotisserie chicken shines! Or you can quickly cook and shred some chicken breasts. Gotta have that protein punch!
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped: We’re using fresh here! Give it a rough chop so it mixes in nicely. It wilts down a lot, so it won’t feel like *that* much green, I promise.
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese: This gives us that lovely creamy texture inside. Get the full-fat kind for the best results – trust me on this!
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Because you can’t have a calzone without mozzarella, right? We need that classic melty pull!
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a little salty, nutty depth to the cheese situation.
• 1 large egg, beaten: We’ll use this for the egg wash to give our calzone that gorgeous golden crust. Don’t skip this step!
• 1 tablespoon olive oil: Also for brushing on the outside for extra crispiness and color.
• Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t forget to season your filling! It makes a huge difference.

See? Pretty straightforward stuff! Gather it all up, and we’ll be ready to get cooking.

Crafting Your Delicious Chicken Spinach Calzone: Step-by-Step

Okay, time to get this Chicken Spinach Calzone party started! Don’t be intimidated; this is actually super fun and pretty forgiving. We’re going to walk through it together, step by step, and you’ll have a beautiful, cheesy calzone ready to devour in no time. Just follow along and trust the process!

Preparing the Chicken Spinach Calzone Filling

First things first, let’s get all the good stuff ready to go inside our dough pocket. Grab that big mixing bowl! Toss in your shredded cooked chicken, the chopped fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and that lovely grated Parmesan. Give it all a good stir to combine everything evenly. Now, this is important: taste a little tiny bit of the filling (make sure the chicken is cooked, obviously!) and add salt and pepper until it tastes just right to *you*. Don’t be shy with the seasoning!

Assembling and Sealing Your Chicken Spinach Calzone

Now for the fun part – assembling! Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a nice big circle, maybe about 12-14 inches across. Think of it like a big pizza, but we’re only gonna use half of it for the filling. Spoon that delicious Chicken Spinach Calzone filling onto one half of the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border all the way around. This border is key! Now, carefully fold the other half of the dough over the filling, lining up the edges. Press those edges together firmly. I like to use a fork to crimp them really well – it makes a pretty pattern and, more importantly, seals everything up tight so that cheesy goodness doesn’t leak out everywhere in the oven. Nobody wants a cheese explosion on their baking sheet!

Baking Your Chicken Spinach Calzone to Golden Perfection

Alright, almost there! Carefully transfer your crimped calzone to your prepared baking sheet (the one with parchment paper!). Now, grab that beaten egg and your pastry brush. Brush the top of the calzone all over with the egg wash – this is what gives it that beautiful golden color and a lovely shine. Then, drizzle or brush a little bit of olive oil over the top too for extra crispiness. Use a sharp knife to cut a few vents in the top of the calzone. These little slits let steam escape while it bakes, preventing it from puffing up too much and potentially bursting. Pop it into your preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for about 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be gorgeously golden brown all over and puffed up. It’ll smell amazing, trust me!

Tips for a Flawless Chicken Spinach Calzone

Want to make sure your Chicken Spinach Calzone turns out absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way that make a big difference. These are simple things, but they really help ensure you get that beautiful golden crust and perfectly cooked filling.

• Don’t overfill it! It’s tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, but leaving that border and not overstuffing makes it way easier to seal and prevents leaks. Trust me, a little less filling is better than a cheesy mess.
• Let the dough relax. If your pizza dough is being stubborn and snapping back when you try to roll it, just let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes. It needs a little time to relax!
• Seal those edges! Spend a little extra time making sure the edges are really well crimped. A fork helps, but pressing firmly with your fingers first is key.
• Know your oven. Ovens can be a little quirky! Keep an eye on your calzone during the last few minutes of baking. If one side is browning faster, you can carefully rotate the baking sheet.

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be pulling out a bakery-worthy Chicken Spinach Calzone every time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Spinach Calzones

Okay, you’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the steps, but maybe a few little questions are still bouncing around in your head? Totally normal! Making calzones is fun, but sometimes you just need a quick answer. Here are some things folks often ask about making these Chicken Spinach Calzones:

Q: Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
A: Yep, you totally can! Just make sure you thaw it completely and squeeze out as much water as humanly possible. Seriously, get it really, really dry, or your filling will be watery. About 1/2 cup of squeezed-dry frozen spinach should be good.

Q: What if my dough is too sticky to roll out?
A: Just add a little more flour to your surface and your rolling pin! Don’t add too much though, or it can make the dough tough. A light dusting should do the trick. If it’s still fighting you, let it rest for another 5-10 minutes.

Q: How do I store leftover calzone?
A: Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil, or pop it in an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can pop it back in a 350°F oven until it’s heated through and the crust is crispy again, or even use an air fryer!

Q: Can I add other cheeses?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to swap out some of the mozzarella or add a little provolone or Monterey Jack. Just make sure you keep the total amount of cheese roughly the same so the filling isn’t too wet.

Serving and Storing Your Chicken Spinach Calzone

Alright, your gorgeous, golden Chicken Spinach Calzone is out of the oven and smelling absolutely incredible! Now for the best part: eating it! While it’s tempting to just dive in, let it sit for just a few minutes before slicing. This lets the filling settle a bit so you don’t lose all that cheesy goodness when you cut into it.

My absolute favorite way to serve this is with a warm bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. It’s the perfect tangy contrast to the rich, cheesy filling. A simple side salad is also a great addition to make it a complete meal. As for leftovers (if there are any!), let the calzone cool completely, then wrap it up tight in plastic wrap or foil and keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days. The best way to reheat is in the oven or air fryer to keep that crust nice and crispy!

Nutritional Information

Okay, so while I’m all about the deliciousness and comfort of this Chicken Spinach Calzone, I know some of you like to keep an eye on the nutritional stuff. I’ve included an estimate below based on the ingredients, but please remember that these numbers are just a guideline! The actual nutritional values can totally swing depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use, how big you cut your slices, and any little tweaks you make to the recipe. Think of it as a helpful starting point, not a strict rulebook!

Share Your Chicken Spinach Calzone Experience

So there you have it – my go-to Chicken Spinach Calzone recipe! I really hope you give it a try and love it as much as my family and I do. When you make it, please come back and tell me how it went! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite part. Did you add anything extra? How did your family like it? You can also rate the recipe right here on the page! And if you snap a picture of your beautiful calzone creation, share it on social media and tag me – I absolutely LOVE seeing what you guys make!