If you’re searching for a dish that truly wakes up your weeknight dinner routine, Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite delivers it all with bold flavors, bubbling cheese, and that crave-worthy kick of heat. This pizza marries tangy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, juicy shredded chicken, and heaps of melting cheese on a perfectly crisp crust. It’s a game-changer for pizza night and guaranteed to satisfy anyone who loves a little spice with their comfort food. Whether you’re sharing it with friends on game day or just spicing up family dinner, this recipe is bound to become a new classic in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a pizza that tastes like it came straight from your favorite pizzeria. Each item plays its role in building flavor, texture, and that unmistakable visual appeal of Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite.
- Pizza dough: Buy fresh dough from the store or your local bakery for best results, or use homemade if you have time—it forms the base for everything.
- Olive oil: Brushed on the crust, it gives a gorgeous golden color and helps crisp up those edges.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken is quick and super flavorful, making prep a breeze.
- Buffalo wing sauce: The star of the show—choose your favorite brand and don’t be shy with an extra drizzle at the end for more punch.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: A creamy, cool base sauce that perfectly balances the heat—either works, so use your favorite.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for those long, stretchy cheese pulls.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharp flavor and an extra pop of orange color on top.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for just a touch of sweetness, color, and crunch in every bite.
- Garlic powder: A sprinkle wakes up all the savory flavors on the pizza.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth—just a simple touch makes a big difference.
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley (optional): These make a fresh, colorful finishing touch that brightens up every slice.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prep the Stone
Start by cranking your oven up to 475°F (245°C). Put a pizza stone or sturdy baking sheet inside as the oven heats—it gives you that delightfully crisp crust you’d expect from a brick oven pizzeria.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll your pizza dough to your desired thickness. Whether you like a thin, crispy base or a pillowy chew, it’s all up to you! Then transfer the stretched dough to a piece of parchment paper for easy handling.
Step 3: Brush with Olive Oil
Give your pizza dough a light brush of olive oil. This bit of oil works magic on the crust, ensuring it gets a golden finish and doesn’t dry out during baking.
Step 4: Sauce the Chicken
In a medium bowl, toss the cooked shredded chicken with the buffalo wing sauce. Make sure every strand is coated so that every bite pops with spicy tanginess. This is the moment where Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite really comes alive.
Step 5: Build the Flavor Base
Spread the ranch or blue cheese dressing over your oiled dough, creating a creamy layer instead of classic tomato sauce. Sprinkle on the garlic powder and black pepper for a subtle but noticeable kick.
Step 6: Add Toppings
Scatter the sauced chicken evenly across the pizza, ensuring every slice gets generous helpings. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses for melt and flavor, then finish with thin slices of red onion for freshness and crunch.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Using the parchment paper, carefully slide your pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, watching for that bubbling cheese and golden crust that signals perfection.
Step 8: Finish and Garnish
Once your Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite is out of the oven, let it cool slightly (if you can resist!). Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley and an extra drizzle of buffalo wing sauce for a photogenic finish and an extra flavor hit.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite
Garnishes
Give your creation a sprinkle of bright green onions or parsley for a pop of color, or add extra buffalo sauce for a dramatic, spicy swirl. Want even more indulgence? Offer a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping each hot, cheesy slice.
Side Dishes
This pizza begs for cool, crunchy sides to balance its heat. Try a simple green salad tossed with celery and carrots, or crisp oven fries for a pub-style feast. Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite also goes wonderfully with chilled veggies and extra dressing for dunking.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice into squares for easy party bites, serve with toothpicks for game day snacks, or try making mini personal pizzas using smaller dough rounds—either way, every presentation puts a playful, memorable spin on the classic pizza party. Don’t forget to snap a photo before it’s devoured!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover slices tightly in foil or place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, which means Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite doubles as a great next-day lunch.
Freezing
If you want to save extra slices for the future, simply freeze cooled pizza on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can freeze Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite for up to two months—perfect for quick, satisfying meals when you’re short on time.
Reheating
For the crispiest results, reheat leftover pizza in a hot oven (400°F) directly on the rack for 5–7 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch, but a skillet on the stovetop can also revive the crust while melting the cheese.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough is a great time-saver and works perfectly for Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite. If you have a favorite bakery or pizzeria that sells dough, even better for that homemade touch.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Choose your favorite brand of buffalo wing sauce. Some like it extra spicy, while others prefer a mild, tangy flavor—either way, the key is picking a sauce you love, since it’s the foundation of this dish’s zesty kick.
Which dressing works better: ranch or blue cheese?
It really comes down to personal taste! Ranch is milder and super creamy, while blue cheese adds a more assertive, tangy note. Try both and see which you prefer, or even use them together for a unique twist!
Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
You can prep everything in advance: toss the chicken in sauce, roll out your dough, and get your toppings ready. Assemble just before baking to keep the crust from getting soggy, and your Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite will come out fresh and fantastic.
Is Buffalo Chicken Pizza spicy?
It does have a bit of heat, thanks to the buffalo sauce, but you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your preference. Use a mild sauce, add less, or skip the extra drizzle on top if you’re feeding those who prefer a gentler flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to shake up pizza night, there’s no better place to start than with Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite. Bursting with bold flavor and truly easy to make, it’ll have everyone reaching for a second (or third) slice. Give it a try—you might just discover your new go-to pizza recipe!
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Spicy Twist on a Classic Favorite Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a zesty and flavorful twist on the classic favorite, combining spicy buffalo chicken with gooey cheeses on a crispy crust.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
- 1 ball (about 12–14 oz) pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Buffalo Chicken Topping:
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce (plus more for drizzling)
Cheese Mix:
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface. Brush with olive oil.
- Prepare Chicken: Toss chicken with buffalo sauce.
- Assemble Pizza: Spread dressing on dough, sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper. Top with chicken, cheeses, and onion.
- Bake: Transfer pizza to preheated stone/sheet. Bake for 12–15 min until crust is golden and cheese is melted.
- Finish: Garnish with green onions or parsley and extra buffalo sauce.
Notes
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
- Add jalapeños for extra heat.
- Offer extra dressing on the side for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
