Chicken and Spinach Calzone Recipe – Learn with Experts: In addition to being incredibly simple to prepare, these Chicken and Spinach Calzones are a little bit healthier than the typical calzone, and they are bursting with a flavorful and satisfying flavour! It was a complete happenstance when I made calzone for the very first time.
I was in the process of making a pizza, but when I went to lift it onto the pan, it folded over onto itself and turned into a massive calzone. Due to the fact that it was impossible to unfold and fix, I made the decision to just simply accept it. In reality, a calzone is nothing more than pizza in a pocket.
Chicken and Spinach Calzone Recipe – Learn with Experts
You won’t feel guilty at all if you have a pizza night and a calzone night within the same week because there is something about it that is so different from what you would expect. The standard calzone is not quite as healthy as this chicken and spinach calzone, which is a little bit healthier.
It is still loaded with cheese (in fact, it contains three different kinds of cheese), but in addition to that, it is loaded with spinach and chicken breast, it is made with dough made from whole wheat, and it is lightly brushed with egg white rather than olive oil or butter.
Ingredients
For the calzone dough:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the filling:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Also See:
Sausage, Grape, and Gorgonzola Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Instructions
- Mix the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast together in a large bowl until everything is well combined. If you want it to become foamy, let it sit for about five minutes.
- Combine the yeast mixture with the flour, salt, and olive oil, and mix well. After stirring, a dough should form. Place the dough on a surface that has been dusted with flour and knead it for approximately five minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- The dough should be placed in a bowl that has been lightly oiled, covered with a clean kitchen towel, and allowed to rise in a warm place for approximately one hour, or until it has significantly increased in size.
- It is important to get the filling ready while the dough is rising. Mix together the chicken that has been cooked, the chopped spinach, the ricotta cheese, the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, the minced garlic, the dried oregano, the dried basil, the salt, and the pepper in a mixing bowl.
- After thoroughly combining, mix. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and set it aside.
- When the dough has reached a size that is equal to twice its original size, punch it down and create four equal portions. First, roll each portion into a ball, and then proceed to flatten it into a circle with a diameter of approximately 8 inches.
- A portion of the filling should be placed on one half of each dough circle, and a border should be left around the edges of the dough circle.
- By folding the remaining half of the dough over the filling, you can create a shape that resembles a half moon. For a secure seal, press the edges firmly.
- After the baking sheet has been prepared, transfer the calzones to it. The tops should be brushed with olive oil.
- For the purpose of allowing steam to escape while the calzones are being baked, make a few small slits on the top of each one using a knife that is sharp.
- For twenty to twenty-five minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown and cooked through, bake them in an oven that has been preheated. Served hot, the calzones should be accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips and Variations
Feel free to adapt the filling to your preferences by using the ingredients of your choice. There are a variety of cheeses, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and other vegetables that can be added. Instead of making your own pizza dough, you can use pizza dough that you purchase from the store if you are pressed for time.
You can make this dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken and substituting additional vegetables or tofu for the chicken. Calzones that have been made in excess can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days if they are sealed in an airtight container. You should reheat them in the microwave or the oven before serving them.