Save My roommate called it lazy genius the first time I made this, standing in our tiny kitchen at 11 PM with half a pepperoni pizza staring back at me from the fridge. I had leftover rotisserie chicken and a sudden craving that wouldn't quit, so I did what felt inevitable: folded that cold pizza slice around the chicken, slid it into a hot buttered skillet, and watched it transform into something way better than the sum of its parts. It became our midnight snack weapon, the thing we'd both crave when we had odds and ends taking up real estate in the fridge.
There was this one Sunday afternoon when my mom visited and I casually assembled one of these for her while we talked. She took one bite, raised her eyebrows in that slow-motion way she does when she's genuinely surprised, and asked if I'd learned this from a cookbook. The fact that it came from pure refrigerator desperation felt like my secret, but watching her enjoy it made it feel less like a hack and more like an actual thing I'd created.
Ingredients
- 2 large slices leftover pizza (any style, preferably with a sturdy crust): Use whatever you have—pepperoni, veggie, BBQ chicken all work beautifully, and the sturdier the crust, the better it holds together when folded.
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover): Rotisserie chicken is the easiest route, but any cooked chicken you've got will do the job and add that much-needed protein.
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional, for extra meltiness): This is where you get to be greedy—extra cheese melts into the crevices and makes the whole thing richer.
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened: Softened butter spreads evenly and toasts the outside to that perfect golden brown without burning.
Instructions
- Set up your canvas:
- Place a cold pizza slice on your cutting board with the cheese side facing up. Cold pizza is actually easier to work with because it's less floppy.
- Build your filling:
- Spread about ½ cup of shredded chicken evenly across the cheese side of each pizza slice. If you want extra richness, sprinkle some additional shredded cheese over the chicken—it'll get all gooey and amazing.
- Fold with intention:
- Gently fold each pizza slice in half, pressing down lightly so the filling stays tucked inside. Don't press hard or you'll squeeze the filling right out.
- Butter your exterior:
- Heat your skillet over medium heat while you spread about 1 tbsp of softened butter on the outside of each folded pizza. This is what gets you that golden, crispy exterior.
- First sear:
- Place the folded pizzas into the hot skillet with the buttered side down. You'll hear a satisfying sizzle. Let them cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- The flip:
- Using a spatula, gently flip each folded pizza and cook the other side for another 3–4 minutes. The cheese will start melting out the sides a little, which is exactly what you want.
- Rest and serve:
- Transfer to a plate and let cool for just 1 minute so you don't burn your mouth. Slice in half if you're feeling civilized, and serve hot with whatever dipping sauce calls to you.
Save I remember my partner taking a bite and getting that quiet, focused look people get when food genuinely surprises them in the best way. It wasn't fancy or complicated, but it felt like we'd discovered something together, and that made it taste even better than it had any right to.
Pizza Pairings That Actually Work
The beauty of this recipe is that it's almost impossible to mess up because pizza already has a complete flavor profile. Pepperoni and classic cheese are the reliable route, but don't sleep on BBQ chicken pizza folded with shredded chicken—the flavor overlap sounds redundant until you actually taste how well it works. Veggie pizza transforms into something completely different when paired with chicken and extra melted cheese, giving you that surprising contrast between the crispy crust and soft filling.
Dipping Sauce Strategy
This is where the meal gets personality. Marinara feels obvious because pizza, but warm marinara dipped into the crispy folds is legitimately addictive. Ranch brings a cool, creamy contrast that rounds out the richness. Hot sauce works if you want to punch up the flavor and don't mind the heat mixing with melted cheese.
Timing and Temperature Notes
The whole experience happens fast, which is part of why this works as a weeknight solution. Medium heat takes longer than you might expect, but it keeps the crust from charring while the inside actually gets warm. The 3–4 minute windows are real—keep an eye on the color and flip when you see that golden brown start happening.
- Check your skillet temperature by flicking a tiny water droplet onto it; it should sizzle immediately without disappearing in panic.
- If your pizza slices are really thick, you might need an extra minute on each side, so adjust based on what you're working with.
- Let it cool for a full minute or your first bite will hurt, and that's not the kind of memory worth making.
Save This recipe proved to me that the best meals often come from happy accidents and leftover curiosity. It's comfort food wearing a clever disguise, the kind of thing that makes you feel resourceful and fed at the same time.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of pizza works best for this dish?
Any style with a sturdy crust is ideal, such as pepperoni, veggie, or BBQ chicken pizza, to hold the filling well when folded and toasted.
- → Can I use other types of cheese?
Mozzarella or cheddar are great for extra meltiness, but feel free to use your preferred melting cheese to enhance flavor and texture.
- → How should I cook the folded pizza for best results?
Use a nonstick skillet over medium heat with butter on the outside of each folded slice, toasting each side until golden and crispy with melted cheese inside.
- → Can I add extra flavors inside the fold?
Yes, try adding hot sauce, fresh herbs, or extra shredded cheese inside for added zing and depth of flavor.
- → Is this suitable as a quick meal or snack?
Absolutely. It takes about 13 minutes total to prepare and cook, making it a perfect speedy option for leftovers.