Chicken Alfredo Calzones Recipe
Introduction
Chicken Alfredo Calzones combine the creamy richness of classic Alfredo sauce with tender chicken and melted cheeses, all wrapped in a crispy golden crust. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting dinner or a fun weekend treat.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded, about 2 small breasts)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Alfredo sauce by melting 5 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and Italian seasoning, then simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. Lower heat and stir in Parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Step 2: Prepare the dough by cutting pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 6-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 3: Assemble the calzones by spreading 1/4 of the Alfredo sauce over half of each dough round, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Top with 1/2 cup shredded chicken and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press edges firmly with a fork to seal.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix softened butter with chopped parsley. Brush the tops of each calzone with this parsley butter using a pastry brush.
- Step 5: Place calzones in a lightly oiled air fryer basket or on parchment paper. Air fry at 375°F for 8 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Brush again with remaining parsley butter.
- Step 6: Let calzones cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken to save prep time and add extra flavor.
- For a crispier crust, brush calzones with an egg wash before cooking instead of parsley butter (apply parsley butter after air frying).
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach inside for extra veggies and texture.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, bake calzones at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Storage
Store leftover calzones in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through to keep the crust crispy. For longer storage, freeze calzones for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made Alfredo sauce instead of making it from scratch?
Yes, store-bought Alfredo sauce works well to save time. Just warm it gently before spreading on the dough.
Can these calzones be baked in a regular oven?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet until the crust is golden brown and cooked through.
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Chicken Alfredo Calzones Recipe
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Calzones are a delicious fusion of creamy Alfredo sauce, tender shredded chicken, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all enclosed in a crispy, golden air-fried pizza dough crust. Perfect as a hearty snack or meal, these calzones combine savory flavors with a satisfying texture, and come together quickly using a simple homemade or store-bought dough and an easy Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Alfredo Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Calzones
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 2 small chicken breasts)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Finishing
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. Turn the heat to low and gradually stir in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Set aside to cool slightly while preparing the dough.
- Prepare the Dough: Cut the 1 pound pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 6-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the rolled dough rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Assemble the Calzones: Spread one-fourth of the Alfredo sauce on one half of each dough round, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges. Top the sauce with 1/2 cup of shredded cooked chicken and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together, crimping securely with a fork to seal.
- Prepare the Parsley Butter: In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter with 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley. Use a pastry brush to brush the top of each assembled calzone with this parsley butter mixture.
- Cook the Calzones: Place the calzones in the basket of an air fryer that has been lightly coated with oil or lined with parchment paper. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8 minutes, flipping the calzones halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and crisp. Brush the tops again with the remaining parsley butter after cooking.
- Cool and Serve: Let the calzones cool for 5 minutes before serving. They pair wonderfully with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use parchment paper or lightly oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
- Ensure the edges are well sealed to prevent filling from leaking during cooking.
- For a crispier crust, you can brush the calzones with additional melted butter before air frying.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the filling for extra flavor.
- Letting the calzones rest for a few minutes after cooking helps the filling set and prevent burns when biting in.
- Reheat leftover calzones in the air fryer for best texture, about 3-4 minutes at 350°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo Calzones, Air Fryer Calzones, Easy Calzone Recipe, Alfredo Sauce, Italian-Calzone
