Easy Cheesy Chicken Stromboli

This homemade Cheesy Chicken Stromboli recipe is incredibly easy and can be made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough. Best of all, it’s completely customizable! So grab all your favorite pizza toppings and turn them into fillings inside this cheesy pizza braid.

What is Stromboli?

Much like its culinary cousins (pizza and calzones), stromboli is a completely customizable creation starring your choice of meats, cheeses, sauces and herbs. Your classic pizza toppings simply become your stromboli fillings, which get tucked inside a pizza dough braid.

I first dabbled in the world of homemade stromboli while attending the Artisan Bread Baking School of San Diego. Just one taste of the program’s star creation and I was instantly a stromboli super enthusiast, dreaming up both savory and sweet versions of this Italian favorite. First up: Easy Cheesy Chicken Stromboli featuring shredded rotisserie chicken, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basil and marinara sauce for dipping.

Tell Me About This Recipe

• Ready in less than 1 hour.
• Made with just 7 ingredients. 
• Unlike traditional stromboli recipes that roll the dough, I take it up a notch by braiding it. But don’t worry, it’s really easy!
• Totally customizable. See below for filling ideas!

Best of all, this quick and easy chicken stromboli can be as homemade or as store-bought as your time allows. Opt for homemade pizza dough, marinara sauce and roast chicken, or lean on your local grocery store for prepared ingredients. 

• Pizza dough: You’ll need 1 pound for this recipe. If using store-bought dough, opt for one that’s fresh and not pre-baked.
• Shredded rotisserie chicken: Using store-bought rotisserie chicken is my favorite time-saving shortcut, and it’s a great way to repurpose leftovers.
• Shredded Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parm will give the best flavor, but let’s be honest, pre-shredded cheese is way more convenient. If you grate your own, use the small holes on your box grater and shred some extra for sprinkling over the dough for that perfect golden, cheesy crust. 
• Marinara sauce: You can use homemade marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought variety. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can swap in arrabbiata sauce or barbecue sauce for a different flavor profile.
• Mozzarella cheese: Look for high-quality fresh mozzarella cheese for the best melting and flavor. If fresh mozzarella isn’t available, you can substitute it with shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese. 
• Basil leaves: Adds herbaceous flavor. If you don’t have fresh basil on hand, you can substitute it with dried basil or omit it altogether. Dried herbs are much more potent than fresh, so use about 1 tablespoon as a substitute.
• Olive oil: You’ll use this to brush over the dough before baking to give your stromboli a golden and crispy crust. melted butter or garlic-infused oil would be work, too.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

1. Roll out the pizza dough. Lightly flour your work surface before rolling out the pizza dough to prevent it from sticking. Aim for a rectangle shape measuring 11×13 inches, but don’t worry too much about exact measurements.
2. Prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the shredded chicken, Parmesan cheese and half of the marinara sauce. Be sure to reserve the remaining marinara sauce for dipping later on!

3. Position the dough so the longer side is closest to you. This will make it easier to assemble.
4. Layer the ingredients. Arrange the chicken mixture evenly in the center of the dough, leaving about 1 inch of space from the top edge. Layer the sliced mozzarella over the chicken, followed by the fresh basil leaves. 

5. Create slits in the dough. Starting 1-inch from the top edge, use a sharp knife to cut 1/2-inch slits from the center of the dough outward toward the edges. 
6. Fold the top portion of the dough over the filling.

7. Braid the dough. Fold the cut strips of dough over the filling, alternating from side to side in a crisscross pattern. Cut off any excess dough then tuck the two end pieces underneath to seal in the filling.

8. Transfer the assembled stromboli to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. 
9. Brush the top with olive oil, sprinkle it with Parmesan and bake. Bake it in a 375ºF for 25 to 30 minutes until it’s golden brown and the cheese is melted. 

9. Let it rest before slicing. Once it’s out of the oven, transfer the stromboli to a wire rack to cool slightly for about 10 minutes. This allows the filling to set and makes slicing easier.

The options are endless! Just remember to cook your meats thoroughly and sauté or steam your veggies before adding them. Here are some tasty ideas to inspire your next homemade stuffed pizza braid: 

• Pepperoni and Cheese – Keep it classic with slices of pepperoni and gooey melted cheese—perfect for pizza lovers!
• Italian Sausage and Peppers – Savory Italian sausage combined with sautéed bell peppers and onions.
• Spinach and Feta – For a veggie-friendly option, try sautéed spinach and tangy feta cheese with a hint of minced garlic for extra flavor.
• Ham and Swiss – Thinly sliced ham paired with Swiss cheese.
• Caprese – Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze.
• Breakfast Lover’s – Breakfast sausage or crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and shredded cheddar cheese.

Calzone vs. Stromboli: What’s the Difference?

Just in case you’re curious, here’s a brief explanation of these two beloved pizza derivatives. The main difference between the two is that calzones are folded over and sealed (think half-moon pizza pocket), while strombolis are rolled up like a burrito. Both can be filled with a variety of meats, cheese and veggies but calzones often contain ricotta cheese, and they never have marinara sauce inside the dough.

And here’s one more fun fact for you: Calzones originated in Naples, Italy, while strombolis originated in Philadelphia.

Keep the easy, cheesy party in motion with more of my favorite pizza recipes:

• Everything Bagel Breakfast Pizza
• Cheesy Chicken Taco Pizza
• Homemade Focaccia Bread Pizza
• Bruschetta Pizza with Balsamic Syrup
• French Onion Pizza
• Muffin Tin Pizza Pockets

Craving more? Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

This post may contain affiliate links.