These Butter Chicken Calzones are the best mix of comfort and flavor. They’re golden, cheesy, and filled with creamy butter chicken inside. Every bite has that perfect balance of spicy and savory.

I made them one night when I had leftover butter chicken and some pizza dough. I thought, why not wrap it up and bake it? It came out so good that now I make them on purpose.

They’re easy to put together and fun to eat. Perfect for dinner, snacks, or even game night. Let’s make a batch—you’ll love how cozy and delicious they taste.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delicious Fusion: You get the creamy, spiced goodness of butter chicken wrapped in a golden, doughy crust.
Perfect for Meal Prep: You can make the butter chicken ahead of time and simply assemble and bake the calzones when you’re ready.
Cheesy Goodness: The gooey mozzarella inside perfectly complements the spiced butter chicken, making every bite irresistible.
Customizable: You can adjust the level of spice and add extra veggies or proteins if you like.
Impressive Yet Easy: While the dish might look complicated, it’s incredibly easy to make and great for impressing guests or satisfying your family.

Required Kitchen Tools

Rolling Pin: To roll out the pizza dough.
Baking Sheet: To bake the calzones.
Large Pan or Skillet: For cooking the butter chicken.
Pizza Cutter or Knife: To cut the calzone after baking.
Pastry Brush: For brushing on the garlic butter glaze.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the delicious butter chicken filling for your calzones (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Butter Chicken:

Chicken (Boneless, Skinless): I use 600g of chicken for a hearty filling.
Butter: The star of this recipe! 50g of butter will create the creamy sauce.
Garlic: 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
Ginger: Fresh ginger adds depth to the sauce.
Tomato Puree: This provides the rich, tangy base for the sauce.
Cream: Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and smooth.
Spices: Ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, and paprika give the butter chicken its signature flavor profile.
Salt & Pepper: To taste, of course.

For the Garlic Butter:

Unsalted Butter: 100g of butter will give the perfect richness to the glaze.
Garlic: 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced.
Chili Flakes: A teaspoon for some heat (optional).
Fresh Coriander: Chopped coriander adds freshness and an aromatic kick.

For the Calzone Dough:

Pizza Dough: You’ll need 600g of pizza dough. You can use store-bought dough or make your own from scratch.
Mozzarella Cheese: I use about 200g of mozzarella for that perfect melt.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Butter Chicken

Sauté the Aromatics:
Heat a large pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Prepare the Garlic Butter

While the butter chicken is cooling down, it’s time to make the garlic butter.

Melt the Butter:
In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

Sauté the Garlic:
Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. If you like a little heat, sprinkle in the chili flakes at this stage.

Add Coriander:
Stir in the freshly chopped coriander, and set aside.

3. Roll Out the Pizza Dough

Divide the Dough:
Divide your pizza dough into 2 equal portions. You can use store-bought dough, or make your own if you prefer. Roll each piece of dough out into a circle about 8-10 inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface.

4. Assemble the Calzones

Add the Filling:
Spoon an even amount of cooled butter chicken onto one half of each dough circle, leaving about an inch of space around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.

Seal the Calzone:
Fold the dough over to cover the filling and form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with your fingers or use a fork to crimp them shut, ensuring the calzone is sealed tightly.

5. Bake the Calzones

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Brush with Garlic Butter:
Before baking, brush each calzone generously with the garlic butter you made earlier for a golden, flavorful crust.

Bake:
Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and crispy.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, remove the calzones from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them hot with extra cilantro on top and your favorite dipping sauce (like a tangy yogurt dip or a spicy chutney).

Variations for Butter Chicken Calzones

Vegetarian Version: Swap out the chicken for a mix of vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian calzone.
Add Heat: If you like extra spice, add more chili powder to the butter chicken or sprinkle extra chili flakes in the garlic butter.
Extra Cheese: For a cheesier calzone, add some ricotta or parmesan alongside the mozzarella.
Add Veggies: Mix in some diced onions, peppers, or peas with the butter chicken to bulk it up and add more flavor.

Storing Butter Chicken Calzones

Leftover Calzones: If you have any leftover calzones, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until warm and crispy.
Freezing: If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the uncooked calzones. Simply assemble them, brush with garlic butter, and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven from the freezer (no need to thaw), and bake for an extra 5-7 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutrition for one Butter Chicken Calzone:

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	550 kcal
Protein	30g
Carbohydrates	45g
Fat	30g
Saturated Fat	15g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	5g
Sodium	800mg

Note: Nutritional values are estimates based on the ingredients used. Values can vary depending on the type and brand of ingredients used.