Why make the best Chicken Bacon Calzones?
- Perfect Blend of Flavors – The seasoned chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy dressing all pairs together for a mix of flavors that just work. It’s delicious, indulgent, and so satisfying.
- Super Customizable – Customize the toppings and fillings as needed, add additional veggies, or remove as needed to suit your taste preferences.
- Perfect for Pizza Night! Who doesn’t love pizza for dinner? I know my kids are always asking for pizza several nights a week – try these chicken bacon ranch calzones to switch it up this week.
What is a calzone?
A calzone is basically a pizza that is folded in half and sealed to make a pizza pocket. It’s stuffed with mozzarella cheese, and a combination of meats and veggies.
What’s the difference between a calzone and stromboli?
The main difference between a calzone and stromboli is the way they are folded up before they are baked. A calzone starts with a circular pizza dough that is round and folded in half to make a pizza pocket. A stromboli starts as a rectangle and is rolled up like a cake roll, or cinnamon rolls. Stromboli sometimes doesn’t have sauce include inside, and is instead served with the sauce on the side for dipping. 
Chicken Calzone Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzone Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken Breasts
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Salt
- Bacon
- Ranch Dressing
- Minced Garlic
- Pizza Dough – I usually grab some from the store, but you can make some homemade pizza dough if you want too.
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Red Onion
- Egg – for an egg wash
How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones
- Cook the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken breasts all over with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion salt. Add the chicken to a saute pan over medium heat and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F, about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping over half way through. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then cut it into small bite sized pieces.
- Cook the bacon. Add the bacon to a saute pan, or air fryer, or oven and cook until it reaches your desired crispness. Crumble it into small pieces when its done.
- Prepare the dough. Cut the pizza dough into 4 sections. Roll each section into an 8inch circle.
- Add the toppings. Top each circle with the garlic ranch dressing, leaving a little space on the edges so you can seal the calzones. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the ranch. Then sprinkle the chicken, bacon, and red onion over the top.
- Fold the calzones. Fold the dough in half, covering the toppings completely. Pinch the edges sealed with your fingers, or use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Bake the calzones. Transfer the calzones to a baking sheet. Make 2 to 3 slits in each to allow the steam to release as they bake. Beat the egg and water together to make an egg wash and brush it over the top of the calzones. Sprinkle the top with garlic salt and parsley and bake for about 15 minutes until the dough is golden and the insides are warm.
Tips and Tricks
- Pre-made Pizza Dough – To save time grab your favorite pizza dough from the grocery store. Our local groceries will let us pick it up from their bakery and it’s delicious and works great.
- Customize the Filling – Experiment with different cheese, different vegetables, or herbs – try adding diced tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh basil, Colby jack cheese, etc.
- Try Stromboli – Instead of calzones, spread the pizza dough out into a rectangle and add the toppings as instructed. Carefully roll the dough up like a cake roll. Tuck the ends and edges under the stromboli to seal. Cut slits and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until golden and hot.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover chicken bacon ranch calzone pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the calzones in the oven or an air fryer at 400 F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the inside filling is hot throughout.
Can you freeze calzones?
Yes you can. These calzones will freeze and reheat just fine. Let the baked calzones cool completely, then freeze in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat the calzones from frozen by baking in the oven at 400 F for about 25 to 30 minutes, making sure its hot throughout.
Can I use a different dressing?
Instead of ranch dressing, you could try a different dressing – other flavors that would be delicious are Caesar dressing, garlic aioli, or even a BBQ Ranch dressing. 
These chicken bacon ranch calzones are a delicious mix of flavors, that makes a delicious dinner option, or a crowd please for parties.
More Pizza Recipes
- Air Fryer Tortilla Pizza
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza
- Salami Pizza
- Proscuitto Peach Pizza
- Homemade Pizza Rolls
- Vegetable Pizza
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp onion salt
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 TBS minced garlic
- 16 oz pizza dough
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 TBS water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and onion salt.
- Add it to a large saute pan over medium heat and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping over half way through, until the chicken is an internal temperature of 165 F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then cut it into bite sized pieces.
- Cook bacon in a saute pan (or oven or airfryer) over medium heat until it reaches your desired crispiness. Crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Combine the ranch dressing and minced garlic in a small bowl. Set it aside.
- Cut the pizza dough into 4 sections and roll each section into a circle, about 8 inches in size.
- Top each circle with the ranch dressing, leaving a little space on the edges for sealing the calzones.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the dressing.
- Sprinkle chicken evenly over the cheese. Then sprinkle the bacon and the red onion.
- Fold the dough circles in half covering the toppings completely. Pinch the edges sealed with your fingers.
- Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet.
- Cut 2 to 3 slits in the top of each calzone to release the steam as they bake.
- Beat the egg and water together in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash ontop of the calzones to help them turn golden brown.
- Sprinkle the tops with garlic salt and parsley if desired.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crispy and the insides are hot throughout.
- Enjoy warm.
Nutrition
20These chicken bacon ranch calzones were first posted on June 3, 2011. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on February 12, 2024.
Mel says
Couldn’t believe how easy these were to make. And my family loved them! Can’t wait to make them again!
Aimee says
So glad you loved them! 😀
Jessica says
This was so dang good– better than a restaurant. We will definitely be making again!
kelly shanley says
I saw this calzone on an episode of Carnival Eats, and i knew i had to make it right away, but they did not have a written recipe, this recipe is the closest to the one i saw, with one exception. they also used ricotta cheese as well as mozzerella. so i am going to try your recipe but with the ricotta as well. ill let you know how it turns out!! omg i cant wait!…just wondering tho, would it be better to use ranch dip rather than dressing as the dip is a thicker consistancy??
Aimee says
Yeah a dip would probably work great! Sounds delicious with ricotta too. Let me know how it goes.
Jennie says
We are trying this today – in the oven as I type!
Sarah@totalbassetcase says
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing! These are some of all of my favorite ingredients rolled into one!
Nora C says
That sounds really good, we love calzones, so I will have to try this! New follower from Turning the Table Thursday. Lovin Life
Jeremy and Natalie says
That sounds amazing! We'll have to try these!