So here we are on “I-need-a-shortcut” night. This chicken basil calzone was perfect for a quick dinner or for something on-the-go. Using ground chicken breast is also a leaner alternative to beef but feel free to use ground sirloin if you so desire! The most extensive shortcuts here are that you are using prepared pizza sauce and dough.
If you haven’t noticed already, I am usually picky about what I eat (low-calorie usually means fresh ingredients). So these already prepped products came from a store that uses only fresh ingredients. So, naturally, I would encourage the same.
This chicken basil calzone was delicious and filling! I would probably add more red pepper since I needed a bit more kick. And obviously, the variations are endless here. Have fun!
Delightful Chicken Basil Calzone Recipe
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic - minced
1 pound ground chicken (minced chicken)
¾ cup Marinara sauce (tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions – pasta sauce in southern hemisphere for Italian seafood dish)
¼ teaspoon red pepper (red capsicum) - crushed
¼ cup basil - chopped- 13 ounces pizza dough - refrigerated
½ cup mozzarella cheese - part-skim, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat and prep with spray. Add garlic and chicken to pan; saute for 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring to crumble. Stir in pizza sauce and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in basil. Let stand for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Unroll your dough onto a baking sheet coated with spray. Cut dough into quarters. Pat each portion into an 8×6-inch rectangle. Divide chicken mixture evenly among rectangles (place in the centre); top each serving 2 tablespoons of cheese. Working with a rectangle at a time, fold the dough in half over filling (don’t worry about stretching it), pinching edges to seal.
- Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes or until golden.
