If you are craving a dish that combines bold flavors with cheesy goodness and a bit of a spicy kick, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe is the perfect choice. This pizza captures the tangy, spicy essence of classic buffalo wings but in a fun, shareable form that everyone will love. It’s packed with tender shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, melted mozzarella, sharp Parmesan, and a creamy blue cheese dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or simply indulging a comfort food craving, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe never fails to delight and impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients ready for this pizza is a breeze. Each component plays a crucial role in bringing the layers of flavor and texture alive—from the crisp crust and creamy dressing to the spicy chicken and melty cheeses. Here’s everything you need to make this vibrant dish.
- Refrigerated or homemade pizza dough: A sturdy yet soft base that holds all your toppings perfectly.
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing (¾ cup): Creamy and tangy, it adds a cool balance to the heat.
- Cooked shredded chicken (2 cups): The star protein that soaks up all the buffalo sauce flavor.
- Buffalo sauce (½ cup): The spicy punch that defines this dish’s character.
- Thinly sliced red onion (2 tablespoons): Adds a subtle sharpness and crunch.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Provides that gooey, melty texture everyone loves on pizza.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (¼ cup): Offers a nutty, salty finish to the cheesy layer.
- Chopped fresh cilantro (2 tablespoons): Brings a burst of fresh herbal brightness.
- Thinly sliced green onion (1): Adds a mild oniony flavor and a pop of color.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Before you start assembling, get the oven ready by heating it to 475°F. Placing a baking sheet or pizza stone inside while the oven warms ensures a perfectly crisp crust once baked. This step is key to getting that professional pizza texture at home.
Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Dough
Roll out your pizza dough on a piece of parchment paper into a 14-inch circle. The parchment paper makes transferring the pizza into the oven smoothly much easier and helps prevent sticking. This dough will be the foundation for your delicious buffalo chicken topping.
Step 3: Spread the Dressing
Evenly spread ½ cup of the blue cheese or ranch dressing over the pizza dough. This layer not only adds creaminess but also balances the heat from the buffalo sauce later. The dressing creates a flavorful base that infuses each bite with tangy goodness.
Step 4: Prepare the Chicken
Toss your cooked shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce until every piece is coated generously. Spread the buffalo chicken evenly over the coated dough, then scatter the thinly sliced red onions on top. The heat, tang, and crunch start coming together here beautifully.
Step 5: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the chicken and onions. The mozzarella melts beautifully, creating that perfect stretchy texture while the Parmesan lends a subtle salty, nutty depth. Don’t be shy with the cheese—this step makes the pizza irresistible.
Step 6: Bake the Pizza
Transfer the pizza along with the parchment paper to your preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned. This baking time ensures a crisp crust with perfectly melted toppings.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle chopped cilantro and sliced green onion over the pizza and drizzle with the remaining blue cheese or ranch dressing. These finishing touches add freshness, color, and an extra creamy splash that makes this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe truly shine.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions are the classic garnishes that brighten the bold buffalo flavors and add an appealing contrast in texture and color. A drizzle of dressing on top is essential, providing a cooling element that balances the spicy kick of the buffalo sauce.
Side Dishes
Serve this pizza alongside crunchy celery sticks or a simple mixed green salad. These sides add a crisp, cooling contrast to the hearty, spicy pizza. A light, crisp beer or a tangy lemonade also pairs beautifully to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try cutting the Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe into small squares to serve as party appetizers or football-game snacks. Another idea is to use mini pizza crusts to create personalized individual servings everyone can customize with extra toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This allows for easy grab-and-go lunches or late-night snacks without losing any of that flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some pizza for later, you can freeze portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Frozen pizza stays good for up to 1 month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best taste.
Reheating
To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melty again. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the crust crisp and the toppings fresh.
FAQs
Can I use ranch dressing instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! Ranch dressing is a great alternative if you’re not a fan of blue cheese. It still adds creamy tang and complements the buffalo sauce perfectly.
Can I make this pizza with homemade buffalo sauce?
Definitely. Homemade buffalo sauce made from hot sauce and melted butter tastes fantastic and allows you to control the spice level exactly how you like it.
What type of chicken works best for this recipe?
Cooked, shredded chicken breast or rotisserie chicken both work wonderfully. The key is to have it shredded finely so it distributes evenly across the pizza.
Is it better to use a pizza stone or baking sheet?
A pizza stone gives you a crispier crust because it retains heat better, but a baking sheet works just fine if you don’t have one. Just preheat it well for best results.
Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free pizza dough, you can enjoy this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe without worries. Many stores carry excellent gluten-free dough options ready to bake.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings together spicy, creamy, cheesy, and fresh flavors in every bite. It’s not just pizza; it’s a celebration of bold tastes that feels like a hug on a plate. I encourage you to try making it at home—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy buffalo chicken!
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza combines spicy buffalo sauce-coated shredded chicken with a crispy homemade or refrigerated pizza crust, topped with creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Enhanced with red onions and fresh herbs, this pizza offers a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and savory flavors, baked to golden perfection in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 roll refrigerated pizza dough or ½ pound homemade pizza dough
Dressing
- ¾ cup blue cheese dressing (divided) or ranch dressing
Main Toppings
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a baking sheet or pizza stone inside to heat up. This ensures a hot surface to bake the pizza evenly and create a crisp crust.
- Prepare the Pizza Dough: On a piece of parchment paper, roll out your pizza dough into a 14-inch circle. This will form the base of your pizza. The parchment paper helps with easy transfer and cleanup.
- Spread the Dressing: Evenly spread ½ cup of the blue cheese or ranch dressing over the surface of the rolled-out dough. This adds a creamy, tangy base flavor layer.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the cooked shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce until fully coated. Distribute the buffalo chicken evenly over the dressed dough, then sprinkle the thinly sliced red onions on top for a subtle sharpness.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and onions. These cheeses will melt and blend flavors during baking, adding richness and gooey texture.
- Bake the Pizza: Using the parchment paper as a sling, transfer the pizza onto the preheated baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the crust turns a golden brown and the cheese bubbles and melts completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven carefully. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro and green onion slices for freshness and color. Drizzle the remaining ¼ cup of blue cheese or ranch dressing over the top for extra flavor. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra buffalo sauce on top before baking.
- Use homemade pizza dough for a fresher crust or refrigerate dough for convenience.
- Substitute blue cheese dressing with ranch dressing if preferred.
- Make sure the oven and pizza stone or baking sheet are fully preheated to ensure a crispy crust.
- Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
