These Buffalo Chicken Calzones are a delicious way to enjoy your favorite game-day dip. The cheesy buffalo flavors inside a fluffy biscuit pocket will be a hit at any gathering or party.
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Are you a fan of buffalo chicken? We love it, so I'm always searching for new ways to serve it. These pockets are filled with a spicy buffalo chicken dip and baked until the center is melted and gooey!
These buffalo calzones are a unique twist on a hot pocket. I used Pillsbury Grands biscuits for the base instead of homemade pizza dough.
The combination of tender chicken, melted cheese, and spicy sauce baked inside a biscuit sets these apart from classic calzones. Preheat your oven because you need to make them right away!
Why Make This Buffalo Chicken Calzone Recipe
These homemade calzones are quick and easy to prepare, making them the perfect crowd-pleasing meal.
My favorite part is the texture on the outside. Panko crumbs give the biscuits a delicious crunch you won't find anywhere else.
If you enjoy game-day food, you'll love these calzones. They are perfect for family gatherings or football parties and can be served as a main dish or appetizer. No matter how you enjoy them, they will surely please your guests.
What You'll Need
Those convenient, handheld buffalo chicken pockets are perfect for satisfying cravings or serving a quick meal on busy days. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a sheet pan.
Kitchen Tools
- Mixing Bowls - (affiliate links) Used to mix the buffalo mixture.
- Pastry Brush - Used for adding an egg wash to pastries and dough.
- Baking Sheet - Great for baking cookies or chocolate scones.
- Pizza Cutter - Perfect for cutting pizza, hot pockets, and cookie cakes.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken - We prefer using rotisserie chicken because it shreds well when warm. You can also use leftover chicken or even canned chicken.
- Ranch Dressing - Our preference is to use ranch in buffalo chicken recipes. Feel free to use either ranch or blue cheese dressing based on what you like.
- Wing Sauce - Any brand will do, but we love Franks Sauce because it has a creamy yet spicy flavor.
- Shredded Cheese - A mix of cheddar and lots of mozzarella cheese provides the gooiest, cheesiest centers.
- Pillsbury Biscuits - Refrigerated biscuits are an easy solution because they are already divided. The larger biscuits are best for making homemade hot pockets.
- Panko Crumbs - These provide a light and crunchy coating that enhances the flavors.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Calzones
With some kitchen magic and handy shortcuts, making this buffalo chicken calzone recipe is easier than you think.
- Make the chicken mixture. In a medium bowl, stir the chicken, wing sauce, ranch dressing, onions, and cheese until coated.
- Flatten the biscuits. Open the package, then separate the biscuits. Use the palm of your hand to flatten each one to a 5-inch circle.
- Fill and seal. Divide the buffalo chicken filling onto the bottom half of the dough circle. Fold over the other half, then use a fork to seal edges of the dough.
- Add a coating. Mix an egg and water in a small bowl. Lightly brush the top of each calzone with the egg wash. Sprinkle with panko crumbs, then flip the pockets and repeat.
- Bake and serve. Place the coated dough pockets on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake until golden brown, then serve hot.
Storage Recommendations
These hot pockets are best served on the day they are made. But if you have leftovers, they can be refrigerated and eaten whenever you want spicy chicken goodness.
In the Refrigerator - Keep leftover stuffed biscuits in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a toaster or air fryer.
In the Freezer - Freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Wrap each cooled biscuit in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag.
To Reheat - Thaw overnight before reheating. To reheat from frozen, wrap a damp paper towel around one biscuit and heat on High for 1-2 minutes or until warmed.
Tips and Tricks
- Choose premade dough: Ain't nobody got time for homemade pizza crust! We're keeping things simple by using Pillsbury Grands biscuits as our base.
- Don't overstuff: While filling the biscuits to the brim may be tempting, be cautious not to overstuff them. Overfilling can result in the cheese bursting out.
- Crunch time: Roll your calzones in panko crumbs before baking for that extra crunch factor. Trust me, it's a game-changer!
- Seal the deal: Seal the edges tightly to prevent any delicious filling from oozing out during baking. Crimp the edges with a fork or pinch them with your fingers – whatever works best for you!
- Cover with foil: Cover the pan with foil to prevent biscuits from browning too quickly. This will stop the tops from getting crispy before the inside is fully cooked.
FAQs
Yes, these calzones can be made up to 48 hours before and then baked when you are ready to serve. Add a few minutes to heat the chilled filling thoroughly.
Of course! While we're partial to buffalo chicken, feel free to get creative with your fillings. BBQ chicken, pepperoni and cheese, veggie-packed – the possibilities are endless!
If you prefer your filling to be spicier, consider adding more hot sauce or sprinkling some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes in it.
On the other hand, if you like things mild, you can use a milder sauce or add a dollop of ranch dressing to tone down the heat.
Other Buffalo Chicken Ideas
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Buffalo Chicken Pepper Nachos
- Buffalo Chicken Chips
- Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Pizza
- Buffalo Baked Tacos
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Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Calzones
These Buffalo Chicken Calzones are a delicious way to enjoy your favorite game-day dip. The cheesy buffalo flavors inside a fluffy biscuit pocket will be a hit at any gathering or party.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked chopped chicken
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ⅓ cup ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 - 8 count refrigerated Grands biscuits
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine the chicken, onion, dressing, wing sauce, and cheeses in a bowl.
- Open the biscuits and flatten each one with your hand to 5 inches. Divide the chicken mixture evenly on one side of the biscuits.
- Fold the dough over the mixture and use a fork to press the edges of the dough together.
- Whisk the egg and water together. Brush lightly on one side of the biscuits. Sprinkle with crumbs. Flip over and repeat.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Choose premade dough: Ain't nobody got time for homemade pizza crust! We're keeping things simple by using Pillsbury Grands biscuits as our base.
- Don't overstuff: While filling the biscuits to the brim may be tempting, be cautious not to overstuff them. Overfilling can result in the cheese bursting out.
- Crunch time: Roll your calzones in panko crumbs before baking for that extra crunch factor. Trust me, it's a game-changer!
- Seal the deal: Seal the edges tightly to prevent any delicious filling from oozing out during baking. Crimp the edges with a fork or pinch them with your fingers – whatever works best for you!
- Cover with foil: Cover the pan with foil to prevent biscuits from browning too quickly. This will stop the tops from getting crispy before the inside is fully cooked.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1096mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 16g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in February 2016. It was updated and then republished in January 2024.
Wendy
I love the idea of stuffing a biscuit with a favorite dip and turning it into calzone! This is easy enough to make with different fillings to feed vegetarian and carnivores alike! Yum!
Whitney
Just became a buffalo sauce fan recently...these look great!
Jocelyn
Thank you! You will love these now that you love buffalo sauce!!!
Summer
These really look good ♥
summerdaisy.net
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I wouldn't be able to wait for this either! Serve it up ASAP!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
My husband loves all things buffalo chicken! I'll have to make these for him soon!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
I have never had bread crumbs on the outside of a calzone but that's about to change immediately! Looks simply amazing!
Jocelyn
Those crumbs on the outside just add a little something extra to the calzone. Hope you get a chance to try these!!
Marye
These look so good! It's been a long time since I have had calzones!
Danae @ Recipe Runner
Buffalo chicken is one of my favorites! These calzones would be so great to make on Sunday and I love that crispy panko crust on the outside!
Jocelyn
That extra crunch on the outside totally makes these so much better!!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Yum! I like the bread crumbs on the outside of the calzones!
Melanie @ Gather for Bread
These look so tasty! I'm sure my guys will love them. They're all about buffalo everything!
Hope you're enjoying Texas!
Jocelyn
Thank you! We are definitely getting adjusted and liking it here in TX.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
Well, you know I love buffalo chicken and wrapped up in some dough? Oh yes, please! These look great Jocelyn!
Jocelyn
Chicken dip and dough...it's a meal worth making for sure!!!