Buffalo Chicken Calzones Recipe

Cook Time: 20 minutes

This delicious chicken and cheese calzone is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. With a blend of shredded rotisserie chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, and a few other simple ingredients, these calzones come together easily and make for a comforting dish the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken breast
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1/2 cup canned condensed cream of onion soup
• 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (2 crusts)
• Blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and/or carrot sticks, for serving
• Celery leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, frozen peas and carrots, cream of onion soup, hot sauce, and chopped green onions. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll each pie crust into a 12-inch circle.
5. Spread half of the filling mixture over one of the pie crusts, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Brush the edges of the dough with the egg wash.
6. Carefully fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Use a fork to crimp the edges to seal the calzone.
7. Transfer the prepared calzone to the lined baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining pie crust and filling.
8. Brush the tops of the calzones with the egg wash and use a knife to cut 3 small (1/2-inch long) slits on top of each to vent.
9. Bake the calzones in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are slightly puffed and golden brown.
10. Allow the calzones to cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes before serving.
11. Serve the calzones with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, and/or carrot sticks. Garnish with fresh celery leaves for an added touch of flavor and color.

Nutrition Facts

Each serving (1 calzone) contains approximately:

Calories	690
Total Fat	42g (54% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat	17g (84% Daily Value)
Cholesterol	107mg (36% Daily Value)
Sodium	1237mg (54% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate	58g (21% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber	3g (10% Daily Value)
Total Sugars	3g
Protein	21g (41% Daily Value)
Vitamin C	11mg (12% Daily Value)
Calcium	245mg (19% Daily Value)
Iron	2mg (11% Daily Value)
Potassium	310mg (7% Daily Value)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Story Behind Buffalo Chicken Calzones

Buffalo chicken calzones are a modern American twist on two classic culinary traditions: the calzone and the Buffalo chicken wing. The calzone, originally from Naples, Italy, is a folded pizza filled with cheese, meats, and vegetables, designed to be portable and easy to eat. Buffalo chicken, on the other hand, originated in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s when a chef named Teressa Bellissimo first tossed fried chicken wings in a spicy hot sauce and served them with blue cheese dressing. Combining these two concepts, the Buffalo chicken calzone emerged as a fusion dish that marries the cheesy, doughy comfort of Italian cuisine with the bold, tangy heat of American Buffalo flavors.

Regional Variations and Local Twists

While Buffalo chicken calzones are widely enjoyed across the United States, subtle regional variations exist. In the Northeast, particularly around New York and Buffalo, the calzones tend to stay true to the classic Buffalo sauce, often served extra spicy with a side of celery and authentic blue cheese dressing. In the Midwest, some versions incorporate local cheeses like Colby or Monterey Jack and may include additional vegetables such as corn or bell peppers. The West Coast often experiments with gourmet twists, adding avocado, smoked chicken, or artisanal hot sauces, reflecting the regions tendency toward innovative fusion dishes.

Distinguishing Features Compared to Similar Dishes

Although similar to traditional chicken calzones or buffalo chicken pizza, Buffalo chicken calzones are unique in their combination of creamy, spicy Buffalo sauce with a fully enclosed, baked pastry shell. Unlike standard pizza, where toppings are exposed, the calzones sealed dough ensures that the filling remains moist and flavorful. Compared to plain chicken calzones, the addition of hot sauce, cream of onion soup, and sharp cheddar cheese gives this dish its characteristic tang and richness, creating a satisfying balance of heat, creaminess, and texture.

Where Buffalo Chicken Calzones Are Commonly Served

Buffalo chicken calzones are popular in casual dining restaurants, sports bars, and pizzerias. They are often featured as comfort food or game-day fare, thanks to their portability and satisfying flavor. They are also frequently made at home for weeknight dinners, parties, and potlucks, where their mix of familiar pizza flavors and bold Buffalo heat makes them a crowd-pleaser. They pair exceptionally well with classic accompaniments like celery sticks, carrot sticks, and dipping sauces such as blue cheese or ranch.

Fun Facts and Interesting Details

• The original Buffalo chicken wing recipe from Buffalo, New York, was created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar.
• Calzones were traditionally portable meals for Italian laborers, making the combination with Buffalo chicken a perfect handheld fusion.
• Buffalo chicken calzones have gained popularity in college towns and bar menus, often appearing as a spicier, more filling alternative to traditional pizza slices.
• Some chefs experiment with unique dough types, including whole wheat or stuffed crusts, to enhance flavor and texture while maintaining the iconic spicy filling.
• The dish highlights how American cuisine adapts traditional recipes to regional tastes, blending Italian technique with bold local flavors.

FAQ about Buffalo Chicken Calzones Recipe

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