Chicken BBQ Calzones-Yummy!

One on my favorite foods is Calzones, so when I ran across a couple recipes last year I was so excited to give them a try. It took about 3 different recipes all meshed and tweaked together, but I finally came up with a delicious version that my family all loves! The key is making the dough from scratch, there is nothing better than smelling fresh bakes breads! Don't you agree?

I usually start making these while my kids are eating breakfast. They are completed a couple hours later and I can enjoy the rest of the day and not worry about dinner. Just pop them in the oven 30 minutes before dinner and TA DA, a scrumptious homemade dinner is served!

I know it is crazy but seeing the
yeast rise/swell is one of
my favorite parts of making
bread from scratch!

For the Dough:
2 tsp active dry yeast (one packet)
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
4 Tbsp Olive Oil

In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile in a mixing bowl combine the flour (start with about 2 cups) and salt. Slowly add the yeast mixture and drizzle in the Olive Oil. Add more flour as neccesary until you have a nice elastic dough, no sticky, that is clinging to the beater. Place in a greased bowl, turn so the greased side is up, cover and place in a warm area for about 1 hour to rise.

For the Filling:
2 chicken breasts - shredded - usually about 2 cups
Bacon - crumbled -optional
1/2 onion - diced
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
2-3 tomatos - pureed for freshness or small can of tomato sauce
3 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp chili powder
3 cups cheddar cheese - shredded

Combine all ingredients. Add any other goodies that sound good. I like to use fresh tomatos, but this doesn't give the filling that nice rich red look, but the taste is way better!

Once the dough is ready, divide it into about 12 small sections/balls (or desired amount-this is where I usually make 4 large ones and about 8 smaller ones-this will feed my family for 2 nights). Roll each section out into a circle, place filling on half of the dough. To ensure a tight seal, I dip my finger in water and wipe it along the edge, fold in half and press with a fork to seal (the water helps the dough seal better, my grandmother used to do this with butter). Place prepared calzone on a greased cookie sheet. When all the calzones are ready, I very lightly brush them with olive oil and sprinkle corn meal on top. This gives them that dusty look that you see in restaurants. I then place them covered and in the fridge until dinner.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for 20-25 minutes. Make sure to let them cool before serving, especially to the little ones! And always serve with a little BBQ sauce for dipping, that insures that the kiddo's will love them!

I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does!