This event is being hosted by Colleen of The Red Headed Baker. Colleen has tons of great recipes on her blog. So when you are done eating your pizza, find your most comfortable chair, put your feet up and head over to relax and peruse her recipe list.
The recipe that I am sharing today is perfect for those Sundays when you have been busy working outside, raking up all those leaves that we are so excited about right now but will be cursing come November.
It is quick and easy to prepare and very satisfying after a hard day's work. I used leftover chicken but you could also buy a rotisserie chicken for this and still have enough for another meal or two, depending on how many you are feeding. I was only feeding two of us. Luckily this recipe can be doubled, tripled or quadrupled.
To make it even easier and to save even more time I used pre-sliced mushrooms, bottled pesto, refrigerated pizza dough and jarred marinara. It was stuffed and ready to go in the oven in less than 10 minutes and on the table, ready to eat, in half an hour.
Chicken Pesto Calzone
1 can refrigerated pizza dough or 1 recipe homemade
2 t. olive oil
1/2 small onion, diced
4 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 handfuls baby spinach leaves
1 c. shredded cooked chicken
2 T. pesto, store bought or homemade
3 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese
2 T. shredded parmesan cheese
1 c. marinara or pizza sauce, store bought or homemade
In a large skillet, heat the oil over med high heat. Add the onions and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring until tender. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat. Add the chicken and pesto to the mushroom mixture and stir to combine.
Roll out dough and cut in half. Place both halves onto a baking sheet. Place half of the chicken mixture in the center of each dough half. Top with the Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Fold the dough over the filling and crimp edges, making a half moon.
Place into a preheated 400* oven for 15-20 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Serve with a side of Marinara or Pizza Sauce. Print Recipe
More great inspiration for National Pizza Day
Appetizers
- Cauliflower Crust Pizza by Monica's Table
- Cool Veggie and Ranch Pizza Appetizer by Positively Stacey
- Pepperoni Cheese Pizza Sliders by Family Around the Table
- Pizza Beef Wontons by Asian in America
- Pizza Potato Skins by Casa de Crews
Breakfast
- Cinnamon Roll Pizza by Recipes Food and Cooking
Condiments
- Home Canned Pizza Sauce by What Smells So Good?
Desserts
- Caramel Apple Dessert Pizza by The Foodie Affair
- Cheesecake Pizza by The Redhead Baker
- Coconut Macaroon Pizza by Pies and Plots
- Fresh Fruit Pizza by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Mains
- Bacon Jam, Pear and Butternut Squash Pizza by Caroline's Cooking
- Bagel Pizzas by And She Cooks
- BBQ Bacon Mango Pizza by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Candy Corn Pizza by Palatable Pastime
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Chicken Pesto Calzone by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Chicken Pot Pie French Bread Pizza by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Chicken Vegetable Pizza (Low-Carb) by My Life Cookbook
- Copycat UNO's Pizza by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Deep Dish Fondue Pizza by Momma's Meals
- Deluxe Imo’s Pizza Lasagna Rolls by Crazed Mom
- Easy French Bread Pizza by Confessions of a Cooking Diva
- Everything Pizza Tartin by Sunday Supper Movement
- Fall Veggie Pizza by The Culinary Compass
- Gluten Free Curried Pumpkin Chicken Pizza by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Grilled Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza Wraps by Food Lust People Love
- Hawaiian Pizza Salad by Cricket's Confections
- Homemade Pan Pizza by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza) by Curious Cuisiniere
- Lunchtime Pizza Muffins by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Meatball Sub Pizza by Life Tastes Good
- Mexican Pizza by Moore or Less Cooking
- Mexican-Style Corn Tortilla Pizzas by Home Sweet Homestead
- Mom's Family Style Cavatini by Powered by BLING
- Onion Tart by Wholistic Woman
- Philly Cheesesteak Flatbread Pizza by Family Foodie
- Pizza Grilled Cheese by Eat, Drink and Be Tracy
- Pizza Pot Pies by Brunch-n-Bites
- Pizza Steak Hoagie by The Freshman Cook
- Pizza Toscana by Cooking with Carlee
- Roasted Garlic and Spinach Pizza with Balsamic Onions by Helpful Homemade
- Rustic Bacon & Citrus Pizza by Gourmet Everyday
- Sausage and Peppers Pizza by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Sausage Arugula Pizza by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Grilled Pizza by Our Good Life
- Spinach and Feta Stuffed Pizza Bread by Mindy's Cooking Obsession
- Supreme Breakfast Pizza by The Crumby Cupcake
- Taco Dip Pizza by Hardly a Goddess
- Tandoori Chicken Pizza with Fresh Basil and Mozzarella by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- The Mac Pizza by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Vegan Margherita Pizza by Simple and Savory
Yummy! I've had calzones on the brain lately... now I REALLY want to make some!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Carlee.
DeleteI don't know what I love more calzones or pizza! I love using pesto too!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling Tammi.
DeleteThis is such an easy dinner that the whole family would love!!! Thanks, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Liz.
DeleteGREAT idea for a calzone!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah.
DeleteYummy! I love calzones.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Paula.
DeleteCalzones are such fun! I'm a fan of anything with pesto!
ReplyDeleteI am too, Monica.
DeleteSounds like a great flavor combo to me!
ReplyDeleteIt was Cindy.
DeleteYou can't go wrong with a good calzone! All that dough is right up my alley! Oh, and the chicken pesto sounds delicious, too. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks Christie. I agree 100%.
Delete