Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough (Choose One):
- 1 pound Pizza Dough (Store-Bought or Homemade): This is the foundation of your stromboli.
- Store-Bought: For convenience, store-bought pizza dough (fresh or refrigerated) works wonderfully. Look for a good quality dough from the refrigerated section of your grocery store or your local pizzeria. Let it come to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.
- Homemade: For the ultimate flavor and texture, homemade pizza dough is highly recommended. You’ll need:
- 1 ½ cups Warm Water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (1 packet)
- 4 cups All-Purpose Flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, plus more for greasing
For the BBQ Chicken Filling:
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded or diced: This is where your BBQ flavor comes in!
- Leftover BBQ Chicken: Perfect for using up leftovers! Shred or dice cooked BBQ chicken (grilled, roasted, or smoked). Remove skin and bones.
- Rotisserie Chicken: A quick and easy option. Shred or dice rotisserie chicken and toss with your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Poached or Baked Chicken: If starting from scratch, you can poach or bake chicken breasts or thighs until cooked through. Shred or dice and then toss with BBQ sauce. About 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken will yield approximately 2 cups shredded.
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce (Your Favorite Kind): The star flavor element!
- Store-Bought BBQ Sauce: Use your go-to BBQ sauce. Choose from sweet, smoky, tangy, or spicy varieties to match your preference.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce: For a truly custom flavor, make your own BBQ sauce. There are countless recipes online, from classic tomato-based sauces to vinegar-based or mustard-based options.
- 1 Red Onion, thinly sliced: Adds a savory sweetness and a bit of bite. You can also use yellow onion if preferred.
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, thinly sliced: Provides a fresh, slightly sweet and grassy flavor. You can substitute with other colors of bell pepper or use a mix.
- 1 ½ cups Shredded Cheese (Combination Recommended): The gooey, cheesy goodness!
- Mozzarella Cheese: Essential for that classic cheese pull and melty texture. Low-moisture mozzarella is best for baking.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp, savory flavor that complements BBQ chicken perfectly. Sharp or mild cheddar works well.
- Provolone Cheese: Offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor and melts beautifully.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Provides a mild, creamy flavor and excellent melting properties.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: For a spicy kick, add some pepper jack cheese.
For Egg Wash and Garnish (Optional but Recommended):
- 1 Egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash): Gives the crust a beautiful golden brown color and a slight sheen.
- Sesame Seeds, Poppy Seeds, or Dried Parsley (for garnish): Adds a visual appeal and a subtle flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough (If Making Homemade)
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy. This indicates the yeast is active.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: In the same bowl, add flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture.
- Knead the Dough: Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 4-5 minutes.
- First Rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the BBQ Chicken Filling
- Combine Chicken and BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine shredded or diced cooked chicken with BBQ sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: Thinly slice red onion and green bell pepper. Set aside.
- Shred Cheese: If using block cheese, shred your desired combination of cheeses. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Stromboli
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Roll Out Dough: If using store-bought dough, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes for easier rolling. If using homemade dough, punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12×18 inches. Aim for a relatively thin but even thickness.
- Layer the Filling:
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- BBQ Chicken Layer: Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
- Vegetable Layer: Scatter the sliced red onion and green bell pepper over the chicken layer.
- Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the vegetables.
Step 4: Roll and Seal the Stromboli
- Start Rolling: Starting from one long side of the rectangle, gently roll up the dough tightly, like a jelly roll. Pinch the seam closed as you roll.
- Seal the Ends: Pinch and tuck in the ends of the stromboli to seal them.
- Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the rolled stromboli seam-side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently curve it into a crescent shape if desired.
Step 5: Prepare and Bake
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush the entire surface of the stromboli with the egg wash.
- Score the Top (Optional but Recommended): Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, make 3-4 diagonal slits across the top of the stromboli. This allows steam to escape during baking and prevents the stromboli from bursting.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or dried parsley over the top for garnish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the stromboli is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Cool Slightly: Remove stromboli from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the cheese to set slightly and makes slicing easier.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the stromboli into 1-2 inch thick slices. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce or your favorite dipping sauces on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 350-450
- Sugar: 5-10g
- Sodium: 500-800mg
- Fat: 15-25g
- Saturated Fat: 8-15g
- Carbohydrates: 30-40g
- Fiber: 2-3g
- Protein: 20-25g
- Cholesterol: 70-100mg