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Mini Football Buffalo Chicken Calzones

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Mini Football Buffalo Chicken Calzones are the ultimate game-day snack, combining the bold, zesty flavors of buffalo chicken with the comforting flakiness of golden-brown pizza dough. Shaped like mini footballs, these calzones are both delicious and festive, making them the perfect addition to any sports-themed gathering. Filled with a cheesy, spicy buffalo chicken mixture, they’re easy to hold and packed with flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

For Decoration (Optional):

  • Thin strips of mozzarella cheese or dough for “football laces”

Ingredient Highlights

  • Shredded Chicken: A great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, this forms the base of the filling.
  • Buffalo Sauce: Adds the signature tangy, spicy flavor that buffalo chicken is known for.
  • Cheese: A blend of mozzarella, cream cheese, and blue cheese ensures a creamy and indulgent filling.
  • Pizza Dough: Store-bought dough makes this recipe quick and easy, but homemade works wonderfully too.

Instructions

Prepare the Filling:

  1. Mix the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and blue cheese (if using). Mix well until evenly coated.

Assemble the Calzones:

  1. Roll Out the Dough: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a football-shaped cookie cutter (or freehand with a knife) to cut out pairs of matching football shapes.
  2. Fill the Calzones: Place a spoonful of the buffalo chicken mixture in the center of half the football shapes. Be careful not to overfill. Cover each filled shape with a matching top piece of dough.
  3. Seal the Edges: Pinch the edges of the dough together tightly, using a fork to crimp and seal them completely.

Decorate and Bake:

  1. Add Laces: If desired, place thin strips of mozzarella cheese or extra dough on top of the calzones to mimic football laces. Brush the calzones with beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added texture.
  2. Bake: Transfer the calzones to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.

Serve:

  1. Cool and Serve: Allow the calzones to cool for a few minutes before serving. Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://herbites.com/mini-football-buffalo-chicken-calzones/