Get ready to transform your kitchen into a pizzeria with this incredible buffalo chicken pizza recipe! It brings together the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, creamy blue cheese, and tender chicken on a crispy crust. You’ll love the tangy, spicy, and savory flavors that make this dish a total standout. It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing game day snack.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- Flavorful Balance: Enjoy the perfect blend of spicy buffalo sauce, cool blue cheese, and savory chicken. This buffalo chicken pizza hits every taste bud.
- Quick & Easy: You can have this delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s ideal for busy schedules.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level or choose between blue cheese or ranch dressing to suit your preference. Make it truly yours!
- Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is always a hit with families and friends. It’s fantastic for parties, casual gatherings, or even as tasty leftovers.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use fresh ingredients or save time with convenient pre-shredded chicken and store-bought pizza dough.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your mouthwatering buffalo chicken pizza:
- 1 ½ cups shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (plus more to drizzle on top)
- ¼ cup blue cheese dressing (divided. Can sub Ranch.)
- 1 lb. pizza dough (at room temp)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup red onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup banana pepper rings (patted dry)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Chives/Green Onions (for garnish)
- Red Pepper Flakes (for garnish)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Notes & Substitutions
Chicken: Save time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken, shredded. Leftover cooked chicken also works wonderfully.
Buffalo Sauce: For authentic flavor, we highly recommend Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce. It offers a classic balance of heat and tang. To understand the origins of this iconic flavor, explore the rich history behind buffalo wings and sauce.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese is a fantastic option for its rich flavor and texture. If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, feel free to substitute with ranch dressing.
Mozzarella Cheese: Use low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella for the best melt and stretch. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but grating from a block often melts smoother.
Pizza Dough: You can use your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe or opt for a good quality store-bought refrigerated dough to speed things up.
Pizza Sauce: While a traditional tomato-based pizza sauce adds a familiar depth, you can also omit it entirely for a stronger buffalo flavor profile. Some prefer a lighter white garlic sauce base instead.
Equipment
You don’t need fancy tools to make this fantastic pizza. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pizza pan or pizza stone
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife for slicing
- Pastry brush (for crust)
- Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
- Pizza cutter
Instructions
Creating your homemade buffalo chicken pizza is simple with these step-by-step instructions.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450° F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats. This helps ensure a more even bake and a browner, crisper crust.
- Combine Chicken Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, 1/3 cup buffalo sauce, and 1 tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly. Let the chicken marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Prepare Dough: Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or prepare your pizza stone. Spread the pizza dough onto the prepared surface. Use a fork to poke several holes evenly across the dough. This prevents the crust from bubbling up excessively during baking.
- Layer Toppings (Part 1): Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the prepared dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Next, sprinkle most of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Add Chicken & Veggies: Distribute the marinated chicken mixture over the mozzarella. Then, evenly scatter the thinly sliced red onions and patted-dry banana pepper rings across the pizza.
- Layer Toppings (Part 2): Top the chicken and vegetable layers with the remaining mozzarella cheese. This creates a delicious, cheesy base.
- Add Drizzle: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the remaining blue cheese dressing over the pizza toppings. Follow with 1-2 tablespoons of extra buffalo sauce for an added kick of flavor.
- First Bake: Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for 13 minutes, or until the crust begins to lightly golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the pizza from the oven.
- Prepare Crust Boost: While the pizza is baking, combine the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- Brush & Finish Bake: Using a pastry brush, liberally brush the butter mixture over the exposed crust of the pizza. Return the pizza to the oven. Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and perfectly crispy.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove the hot pizza from the oven. Garnish generously with fresh green onions (or chives), a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat, and fresh parsley. Slice your buffalo chicken pizza into 8 equal pieces and serve immediately while it’s hot and delicious!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Crispy Crust: For the ultimate crispy crust, always use a preheated pizza stone or steel. This provides intense, even heat from below. For a truly professional result, consider the science behind how pizza stones create an ideal crust.
- Prevent Soggy Pizza: Excess moisture can make your pizza soggy. Pat wet ingredients like banana peppers completely dry before adding them.
- Flavor Boost: For more intense buffalo chicken flavor, let the chicken marinate in the buffalo sauce and blue cheese for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours in the fridge.
- Even Cooking: Ovens can have hot spots. Rotate your pizza halfway through baking to ensure it cooks evenly and the crust browns consistently.
- Don’t Overload: Resist the temptation to pile on too many toppings. An overloaded pizza can result in a soggy crust and uneven cooking.
- Bubbling Dough: If your dough bubbles excessively despite poking holes, you might not have poked enough, or your dough is too warm. Ensure dough is at room temperature.
- Adjusting Spice: Easily increase or decrease the amount of buffalo sauce mixed with the chicken and drizzled on top to match your preferred spice level.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serving Suggestions: This spicy buffalo chicken pizza pairs wonderfully with a simple, crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette. Celery sticks and extra blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side are also classic accompaniments.
Storage Instructions: If you have any delicious leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the pizza has cooled completely before storing.
Reheating Instructions: For best results, reheat individual slices in a toaster oven or a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the crust is crispy again. An air fryer also works great for quick reheating.
Freezing Pizza: To freeze baked slices, let the pizza cool completely. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven until hot.
Sauce Variations: Experiment with different sauce bases! Try a tangy BBQ sauce for a BBQ chicken pizza twist, or a creamy white garlic sauce for a richer flavor profile instead of tomato sauce.
Cheese Variations: While mozzarella is traditional, don’t hesitate to experiment. Provolone adds a mild, milky flavor, or mix in some sharp cheddar for extra tanginess.
Topping Swaps: Personalize your pizza with extra toppings. Add sliced jalapeños for more heat, crispy cooked bacon for smoky flavor, or colorful bell peppers for added crunch and nutrition.
Nutrition Information
This estimated nutrition information is for one slice (1/8 of the pizza) of buffalo chicken pizza. Values can vary significantly based on specific ingredients, brands used, and portion sizes.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Cholesterol | 55 mg |
| Sodium | 920 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
Note: These values are approximate and for informational purposes only.
FAQ
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, absolutely! Using pre-cooked chicken, like rotisserie chicken, is a fantastic time-saver for this buffalo chicken pizza recipe. Just shred it and mix with the sauces.
Is buffalo chicken pizza typically spicy?
Yes, it usually has a noticeable kick due to the buffalo sauce. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less buffalo sauce.
What if I don’t have a pizza stone?
No problem! A standard metal pizza pan or a large baking sheet will work perfectly. Just make sure to preheat the pan in the oven for a crispier crust.
Can I make the pizza dough from scratch?
Definitely! If you enjoy baking, making your own pizza dough adds a personal touch. Just ensure it’s at room temperature before spreading.
Why use tomato sauce on buffalo chicken pizza?
A layer of tomato pizza sauce adds a traditional depth of flavor and moisture, balancing the richness of the cheese and the spiciness of the buffalo chicken. Some recipes omit it entirely for a stronger buffalo flavor.
Can this pizza be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze individual slices of baked pizza. Wrap them well in plastic and foil, then reheat from frozen in the oven for a quick meal.
Conclusion
This homemade buffalo chicken pizza is truly a game-changer, proving that delicious, restaurant-quality pizza is well within reach for any home cook. Its blend of spicy buffalo chicken, creamy blue cheese, and crisp crust creates an irresistible flavor experience. You’ll love how simple it is to bring these satisfying, tangy, and savory flavors to your table. Give this recipe a try tonight, and don’t forget to share your amazing buffalo chicken pizza photos and leave a review!