Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones: The Ultimate Comfort Food for Your Grill
Are you ready to elevate your grilling game with a dish that combines smoky barbecue flavors, tender chicken, and generous amounts of gooey, melted cheese, all encased in a perfectly charred and crispy crust? Look no further than these incredible Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones! Forget your usual weeknight dinner; this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet outdoor feast that’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
Calzones hold a special place in my heart, often sparking a delightful dilemma when ordering at a pizza place. There’s something undeniably magical about how all the savory fillings meld together, creating a symphony of flavors and textures inside that wonderfully crispy, yet chewy, crust. It’s a complete package of deliciousness that’s truly hard to resist, especially when you consider the added dimension of flavor that grilling brings to the table.
Why Grilling Your Calzones is a Game Changer
While oven-baked calzones are undeniably good, taking them to the grill introduces a whole new level of flavor and texture. The direct heat of the grill imparts a beautiful char and a distinct smoky essence that you simply can’t achieve indoors. The crust becomes wonderfully crisp on the outside with enticing grill marks, while the interior remains soft and fluffy, perfectly cradling the molten cheese and savory chicken filling. It’s a simple technique that yields extraordinarily delicious results, making it an ideal choice for a weekend gathering or a special weeknight meal.
This past weekend, with some leftover barbecue chicken begging to be repurposed, the craving for calzones struck. The idea of stuffing them with that smoky chicken, a generous amount of cheese, and a hint of fresh cilantro sounded absolutely divine. So, we fired up the grill once more, and the outcome was everything we imagined – and more. Grilling truly is the secret to unlocking the full potential of these delightful pockets of flavor.
Crafting the Perfect Calzone Dough
At the heart of any great calzone is exceptional dough, and this recipe features one of my all-time favorites. It’s incredibly simple to bring together, requiring no tedious rising time, yet it consistently delivers a perfectly soft, pliable, and wonderfully chewy crust that’s ideal for grilling. The ease of preparation means you can focus more on the fun of assembly and grilling, rather than waiting for dough to proof.
With just a few basic ingredients – flour, yeast, salt, warm water, olive oil, and a touch of honey for flavor – you’ll create a dough that’s both forgiving to work with and robust enough to handle the grill’s heat. Whether you use an electric mixer with a dough hook or prefer to knead by hand, the goal is a smooth, elastic ball of dough ready to be transformed into your delicious calzones. This no-fuss dough makes homemade calzones accessible to even beginner bakers, ensuring success every time.
The Irresistible BBQ Chicken Filling
For these BBQ Chicken Calzones, I kept the filling simple yet incredibly flavorful. It starts with tender shredded chicken, which is tossed with finely chopped red onion and a generous amount of your favorite barbecue sauce. This combination ensures every bite is packed with that quintessential sweet and savory BBQ tang. The red onion adds a subtle crunch and a hint of sharpness that perfectly complements the rich chicken and sauce.
To complete the ensemble, a healthy helping of good old mozzarella cheese is sprinkled over the chicken mixture. Mozzarella is a classic choice for its superior melting qualities and mild flavor, allowing the BBQ chicken to shine. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness and brings a lovely freshness to the calzones. This simple yet effective combination of ingredients ensures a moist, flavorful, and utterly satisfying filling that will have everyone reaching for more.
Assembling and Grilling Your Calzones to Perfection
The magic truly happens when you bring all these components together. Divide your prepared dough into individual portions, shaping each into a round disc. A thin layer of barbecue sauce brushed directly onto the dough acts as an extra layer of flavor and helps moisten the crust. Then, generously pile the BBQ chicken mixture, mozzarella, and cilantro onto one half of the dough, leaving a small rim around the edge for sealing. Carefully fold the uncovered half of the dough over the filling, creating a crescent shape, and firmly press the edges together to seal. You can crimp them with a fork or simply use your thumb to ensure a tight seal, preventing any delicious filling from escaping during grilling.
Before placing them on the preheated grill, brush each calzone and the grill grates with a little olive oil. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that beautiful, golden-brown, charred crust. Grill the calzones for about 5 minutes per side, or until you see those inviting grill marks and the crust is crisp and cooked through. The internal temperature will be sizzling hot, with the cheese perfectly melted and the chicken warmed to perfection. The aroma alone will have your taste buds tingling!
Serving Suggestions and Customization
These Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones are a complete meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a side of coleslaw for a refreshing contrast. A simple ranch dressing or extra BBQ sauce on the side makes for excellent dipping. They are fantastic for family dinners, game day parties, or even as an impressive dish for a casual backyard barbecue. We had such a blast making, grilling, and devouring these yummy calzones – they were an absolute winner!
Feeling creative? These calzones are incredibly versatile. You can experiment with different shredded proteins like pulled pork, turkey, or even a vegetarian option with grilled vegetables and black beans. Vary the cheese with cheddar, provolone, or a spicy pepper jack. For an extra kick, add some diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor this recipe to your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Ready to Get Grilling?
So, fire up your grill and get ready for a delightful culinary adventure. These Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones are destined to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire. They offer a unique twist on classic comfort food, combining the beloved flavors of BBQ chicken with the satisfying experience of a perfectly baked (or in this case, grilled!) calzone. Everyone, from the pickiest eaters to the most seasoned foodies, will absolutely adore them.
Enjoy the process of making them and savor every single delicious bite!
xoxo,
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones
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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 35 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Yield: 8
Category: Main
Description
Get your grill on with these awesome Grilled BBQ Chicken Calzones that are filled with barbeque chicken and lots of melting cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 envelope active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1–3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1–1/4 cup barbeque sauce, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir together the flour, yeast and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the warm water and then the oil and honey. Mix with the paddle attachment until the mixture starts to come together. Switch to the dough hook and let the mixer knead the dough for 10 minutes until a soft, smooth ball starts to form. If you don’t have a dough hook or an electric mixer, you can do this with your hands.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the chicken, red onion and 3/4 cup barbeque sauce. Set aside along with the cheese and cilantro.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Divide dough into 4-8 pieces. Form each piece into a ball and then flatten into a round disc with your hands. Spread the dough with a thin layer of barbeque sauce, leaving a rim around the edge. Place 1/2 cup chicken mixture on one side of the dough. Sprinkle with cheese and a little cilantro. Fold the non-covered half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together with your thumb. Repeat with remaining dough and fillings.
- Brush each calzone and the grill with a little oil. Grill the calzones for about 5 minutes per side until grill marks start to form and crust is crisp.