Chicken Parmesan Calzones

I have one word for this meal - YUM. I have been wanting to attempt calzones for a while, but I don't have much luck with pizza dough. I thought I would give it a try, and I still had a hard time (this was the better looking of the two!), but they were edible! And very delicious at that - Justin and I each ate our entire calzone. Forget leftovers!

Chicken Parmesan Calzones

Ingredients

2 chicken breast halves
1/2 cup marinara sauce, plus extra for dipping
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. mozzarella cheese
3 Tbsp. bread crumbs
1 egg white
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 can refrigerated pizza dough (I used Pillsbury), or homemade dough
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. dry oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Egg wash (1 egg beaten plus 2 Tbsp. water)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, oregano and garlic powder in small bowl. Dip the chicken breast halves in the egg white and coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet, and cook chicken until it has a brown and crispy appearance.

Place chicken in greased pan and cook at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked.

While chicken is cooking, cut dough in half and roll out two circles. They should be about 8-10 inches in diameter. (Easier said than done!)

Once chicken is cooked, turn oven up to 415 degrees. Cut chicken into small cubes. Pour 1/4 cup marinara sauce onto one side of each circle. Add half the chicken to each and then top with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese to each. Fold the dough over the mixture and pinch ends together to seal in the mixture. Cut three small slits on the top of each calzone to prevent air pockets. Brush each with egg wash and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.

Place calzones on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 415 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before serving. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Adapted from Pizza the Pie