These Barbecue Chicken Calzones are a flavor-packed twist on a classic, combining smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese in a golden, crispy crust. Perfect for busy weeknights, they come together in just 20 minutes, offering a satisfying meal that’s as quick as it is delicious.
Each bite delivers a mouthwatering mix of textures—crunchy on the outside, gooey and savory on the inside—with a hint of sweetness from the barbecue sauce. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, these calzones are a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
What You’ll Need for Barbecue Chicken Calzones
- 6 strips of bacon (cooked until crisp and crumbled)
- ½ cup diced red onion (substitute with white or yellow onion if preferred)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded; rotisserie chicken works great as a shortcut)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or any neutral cooking oil)
- 16 ounces barbecue sauce (1 bottle, divided; use your favorite brand or homemade)
- 16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuit dough (1 package; or substitute with homemade pizza dough)
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (or try cheddar for a sharper flavor)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, or substitute with parsley)
How to Make Barbecue Chicken Calzones
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove, blot with paper towels, and crumble into small pieces.
- Sauté the filling: In the same skillet, add olive oil, diced red onion, and shredded chicken. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add flavor: Stir in ½ cup of barbecue sauce and the crumbled bacon. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the dough: On a greased cookie sheet, flatten out each biscuit from the dough package into a 5-6 inch circle.
- Assemble the calzones: Spread 1 teaspoon of barbecue sauce on each biscuit. Divide the chicken mixture evenly, placing it on only half of each biscuit, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle with shredded Mozzarella and chopped cilantro.
- Seal and bake: Fold the biscuits in half over the filling, pressing the edges together with a fork to seal. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Enjoy warm with additional barbecue sauce for dipping!
Sauce and Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Calzones
While barbecue sauce is the star of this recipe, you can mix things up with spicy sriracha mayo or a creamy ranch drizzle for dipping. For toppings, try adding pickled jalapeños for a tangy kick or caramelized onions for extra sweetness. If you’re feeling adventurous, swap the mozzarella for smoked gouda to complement the barbecue flavor.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
These barbecue chicken calzones are a meal on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a crisp side salad or garlic parmesan roasted vegetables. For a casual gathering, serve them alongside sweet potato fries or coleslaw for a complete barbecue-inspired feast. Don’t forget extra barbecue sauce for dipping!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover calzones in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to keep the crust crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the dough soggy. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped in foil and reheat straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Cooks
Short on time? Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding your own. You can also prep the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you’re in a rush, skip the bacon (or use pre-cooked bacon crumbles) to cut down on prep time without sacrificing flavor.
Common Questions Answered
Can I use homemade biscuit dough? Absolutely! If you have a favorite recipe, feel free to use it. Just roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Can I make these ahead of time? Yes! Assemble the calzones, wrap them tightly, and refrigerate for up to 6 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they’re cold from the fridge.
Barbecue Chicken Calzones Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 strips bacon
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 16 ounces barbecue sauce, 1 bottle, divided
- 16.3 ounces refrigerated biscuit dough, 1 package
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.
- Remove bacon from pan, blot with paper towels and crumble.
- Add onion and shredded chicken to a pan with olive oil.
- Saute over medium heat until onion is tender.
- Stir in 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and remove from heat.
- Mix in crumbled bacon.
- Flatten out biscuit dough on a greased cookie sheet.
- Spread a teaspoon of barbecue sauce on each biscuit.
- Divide the chicken mixture between the biscuits, spreading on only half of each biscuit and keeping 1/2 inch away from the edge.
- Sprinkle cheese and cilantro over top of each biscuit.
- Fold biscuits in half and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with additional barbecue sauce for dipping.