This Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a fun twist on your usual pizza night! It comes topped with spicy buffalo chicken, creamy ranch dressing, and melty cheese for a flavor explosion.
Who doesn’t love pizza? When you add that spicy kick, it’s pure joy! I love to serve it with extra veggies on the side for a crunch. Perfect for sharing—or not! 😉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pizza Dough: You can use store-bought pizza dough for convenience, or try making your own for that fresh taste. If you’re gluten-free, look for gluten-free pizza dough options available in stores.
Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is great here! If you want a healthier option, grill some chicken breast and shred it. If you’re vegetarian, use shredded jackfruit seasoned with buffalo sauce for a similar texture.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but you can adjust the heat by using a milder sauce or even homemade buffalo sauce made with hot sauce and melted butter.
Cheese: Mozzarella is key for that stretchy quality. Cheddar adds a nice flavor kick. If you don’t like blue cheese, try feta or goat cheese instead!
Ranch Dressing: Ranch is a great drizzle, but if you’re looking for a lighter option, consider Greek yogurt mixed with herbs or a vegan ranch dressing.
How Can I Get the Perfectly Golden Crust?
A perfectly golden crust is all about technique! Here’s how to get that wonderful texture:
- Make sure your oven is really hot—475°F is ideal. A hot oven helps the dough rise quickly and creates a crispy bottom.
- Using a pizza stone? Let it heat for at least 30 minutes before baking your pizza. This can help create nice browning.
- Brush the edges of the crust with olive oil. This adds flavor and encourages browning as it bakes.
Remember, keep an eye on your pizza in the last few minutes of baking. Once it’s golden and the cheese is bubbly, it’s ready to come out!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Pizza:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing the crust)
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 10-12 minutes of cooking time. Make sure to account for any time needed to heat your oven and any extra steps if you are making your dough from scratch. All in all, you’ll have a delicious Buffalo Chicken Pizza ready in about 30 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to heat up. This helps get the crust nice and crispy!
2. Prepare the Chicken:
In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the buffalo wing sauce. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. This will give your pizza that spicy kick!
3. Roll Out the Dough:
On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle (or any shape you fancy). If using store-bought dough, it may need a little time to rest before rolling.
4. Assemble the Pizza:
Transfer your rolled-out dough onto a pizza peel or a baking sheet. Brush the edges of the dough lightly with olive oil to get a lovely golden crust.
Now, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the dough. This cheesy base is the heart of your pizza!
5. Add the Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese:
Next, scatter the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the cheese. Don’t forget to top it off with some crumbled blue cheese for that extra flavor punch!
6. Bake Your Pizza:
Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven (onto your preheated stone if you’re using one). Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
7. Final Touches:
Once your pizza is out of the oven, immediately drizzle ranch dressing over the top. You can do this in thin lines or spots for a fun look!
For a touch of color and flavor, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top if you like.
8. Slice and Serve:
Slice your pizza and serve it hot! It pairs wonderfully with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. Enjoy this spicy, cheesy delight!
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough for This Pizza?
Absolutely! Store-bought pizza dough is a fantastic time-saver and still yields delicious results. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for best results.
How Can I Make This Pizza Spicier?
If you love heat, consider adding diced jalapeños or an extra tablespoon of buffalo wing sauce to the chicken. You can also drizzle some hot sauce on top after baking for an extra kick!
How Long Will Leftovers Last?
Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. This will help keep the crust crispy!
Can I Freeze Buffalo Chicken Pizza?
Yes! You can freeze the assembled pizza (uncooked) by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just bake it straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time!