Dinner
High-Protein Chicken Calzone
A crispy, cheesy high-protein calzone made with chicken, cottage cheese, and low-fat mozzarella. Easy, filling, and seriously good.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This calzone has a crispy parmesan crust, a cheesy center, and a huge protein hit without feeling like bland diet food. It’s comfort food that actually pulls its weight.
Simple Ingredients
The swaps do the heavy lifting here. Cottage cheese replaces cream cheese, chicken replaces ham, and low-fat mozzarella keeps the calories in check without killing the flavor.
Best Ways to Enjoy It
Serve it hot straight from the air fryer as an easy high-protein dinner. It also works well with a simple salad or roasted vegetables on the side.
Inspiration
At CraveSmart, we take viral recipes and rebuild them with smarter macros, cleaner ingredients, and clear step-by-step instructions so they actually work in real kitchens.
High-Protein Chicken Calzone
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
2
Calories
637
Protein
92g
Carbs
9g
Fat
26g
Ingredients
Switch between US and metric measurements. Metric conversions are approximate.
Dry Ingredients
- 3.5 oz (100g) parmesan powder 99g (100g) parmesan powder
Wet Ingredients
- 9 oz (250g) chicken mince 255g (250g) chicken mince
- 2.8 oz (80g) chicken breast 79g (80g) chicken breast
- 2 tbsp (40g) cottage cheese 30ml (40g) cottage cheese
- ¼ cup (40g) low-fat mozzarella 60ml (40g) low-fat mozzarella
- 1 tomato, sliced 1 tomato, sliced
- 2 tbsp (30g) extra low-fat mozzarella for the top 30ml (30g) extra low-fat mozzarella for the top
Optional
- Light spray of olive oil or avocado oil Light spray of olive oil or avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 385°F / 195°C.
- Flatten the chicken mince into a calzone shape on parchment or a clean surface.
- Add the chicken breast, cottage cheese, low-fat mozzarella, and sliced tomato to one side.
- Fold the mince over and seal it closed to form a calzone.
- Lightly spray the outside with oil.
- Coat the outside fully with parmesan powder.
- Top with the extra low-fat mozzarella.
- Air fry for 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Let rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips
- Seal the edges well so the filling stays inside while cooking.
- A light oil spray helps the parmesan crisp up better.
- Letting it rest briefly makes it easier to slice cleanly.
Variations
- Swap the tomato for spinach or roasted peppers.
- Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or chili flakes to the chicken mince.
- Use turkey mince for a slightly leaner version.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer for the best texture.
FAQ
Can I bake this instead of air frying?
Yes. Bake at 400°F / 200°C until cooked through and golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Is this actually filling?
Yes. It is very high in protein and works well as a full meal.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble it ahead of time and cook when ready.
Source Note
Inspired by a viral high-protein calzone idea and adapted for CraveSmart.
You May Also Like
Dinner • Snack
High-Protein Crispy Chicken Tacos
Crispy, cheesy chicken tacos packed with protein and topped with fresh salsa and a creamy sauce. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for a high-protein dinner.
Dinner • Snack
High-Protein Creamy Tomato Soup
A creamy, high-protein marinara sauce made with cottage cheese. Smooth, flavorful, and perfect for pasta, dipping, or meal prep.
Dinner • Snack
Easy Boneless Wings
Crispy boneless wings made fast using store-bought chicken tenders. Toss them in your favorite sauce for an easy weeknight meal.