Best Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza You Must Try
If you’re craving a pizza with a bold, spicy kick and irresistible tangy flavor, the Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza is your ticket to flavor heaven. This pizza brings together juicy, tender chicken tossed in that iconic buffalo sauce, melted cheese, and a perfect crust for a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to beat any takeout. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or a fun pizza party, this Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza recipe delivers all the excitement and comfort you want from your homemade creations, with an easy-to-follow approach you’ll love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor Explosion: Each bite bursts with the classic spicy buffalo sauce balanced by creamy cheese and a crunchy crust.
- Easy to Customize: From crust styles to toppings, this recipe adapts beautifully to what you have on hand or prefer to eat.
- Perfect for Entertaining: It’s a crowd-pleaser packed with familiar but thrilling flavors everyone will rave about.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
- Delicious Leftovers: Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza heats up wonderfully the next day, keeping its zesty charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, fresh, and well-chosen ingredients create the magic in your Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza. Each component plays a role in delivering balanced heat, creamy richness, and satisfying texture you’ll want again and again.
- Pizza Dough: Use store-bought or homemade dough for the perfect sturdy yet chewy base supporting all toppings.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Tender shredded or diced chicken brings hearty protein and soaks up the buffalo sauce flawlessly.
- Buffalo Sauce: Choose your favorite wing sauce for that signature spicy-tangy punch that defines this pizza.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy and melty, mozzarella provides the gooey, delicious blanket that unites the flavors.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Adds a sharp, creamy contrast that complements the buffalo heat perfectly.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: Drizzle this on top after baking to mellow the spice and add creaminess.
- Green Onions: Fresh sliced scallions add color, bite, and a hint of zest to finish the pizza.
- Butter: Melt with garlic and mix into the buffalo sauce to give a rich, smooth texture and full flavor.
Variations for Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable; tweak any ingredient or add extras to match your dietary needs or flavor cravings. Making it your own is super simple and fun!
- Spicy or Mild: Adjust the amount or heat level of buffalo sauce depending on how fiery you like your pizza.
- Crust Choices: Swap traditional dough for cauliflower crust for a lower-carb option or a thick pan crust for extra crunch.
- Cheese Variations: Substitute mozzarella with provolone or add a bit of smoked gouda to deepen flavor layers.
- Extra Veggies: Toss on sliced bell peppers, jalapeños, or red onions for more texture and color.
- Protein Alternatives: Use grilled tofu or tempeh tossed in buffalo sauce to turn this into a tasty vegetarian version.
How to Make Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken
Start by shredding cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Melt butter and blend it with your favorite buffalo sauce, then toss the chicken thoroughly so each piece is soaked in that spicy, tangy goodness.
Step 2: Preheat and Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and prepare a baking sheet or pizza stone. Roll the dough out to your desired thickness on a floured surface and transfer it to your prep station.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
Spread a thin layer of buffalo sauce on the dough’s surface, then sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. Arrange your buffalo chicken evenly on top, and scatter blue cheese crumbles for extra punch.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling deliciously.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle ranch or blue cheese dressing over the top. Sprinkle sliced green onions for freshness and serve hot for the best experience.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
- Use Warm Dough: Let your pizza dough warm up to room temperature for easier stretching and a fluffier crust.
- Don’t Overload Toppings: Keep a balance so the crust stays crisp and cooks evenly without getting soggy.
- Buffalo Sauce Balance: Mix some melted butter into your buffalo sauce for a smoother, richer coating on the chicken.
- Pre-Cook Chicken Thoroughly: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before tossing in buffalo sauce to avoid dryness.
- Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: This helps you get that perfect crispy crust, mimicking a wood-fired oven at home.
How to Serve Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
Garnishes
Finishing your Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza with fresh garnishes like chopped green onions, celery sticks on the side, or a drizzle of creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing adds freshness and balances the heat with cool, tangy notes.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs beautifully with crisp sides such as a simple garden salad, crunchy celery and carrot sticks, or even some homemade garlic parmesan fries for that extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the pizza into small squares for easy finger food. You can also serve it as a savory flatbread appetizer with a side of dipping sauce to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza slices in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftovers on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy; avoid microwaving to keep crust texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cooked chicken for this pizza?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken is a convenient shortcut that works perfectly when tossed in buffalo sauce for this recipe.
Is blue cheese necessary for Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza?
While blue cheese adds signature tang and depth, you can skip it or substitute with feta or just extra mozzarella if you prefer a milder flavor.
How spicy is Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza?
The spiciness depends on the buffalo sauce you use; you can choose mild, medium, or hot sauces to control the heat level to your liking.
Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Yes! Replace chicken with buffalo-sauced cauliflower or tofu for a delicious vegetarian alternative that still packs all the flavor.
What’s the best crust to use for Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza?
A traditional hand-tossed or thin crust works great, but feel free to experiment with pan, thick, or even cauliflower crusts based on your preference.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly irresistible about the combination of spicy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, melted cheese, and crisp crust in this Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza. It’s easy to make, flexible to personalize, and guaranteed to bring some excitement to your pizza nights. Go ahead, give this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you for it!
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Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza delivers a bold, spicy, and tangy flavor profile with tender buffalo-sauced chicken, melted mozzarella, and blue cheese crumbles on a perfectly crispy crust. Quick to prepare and customizable, this pizza is ideal for weeknights, parties, or leftovers that stay delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 batch pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Buffalo Chicken
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to heat preference)
Cheeses
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
Toppings and Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons ranch or blue cheese dressing (for drizzling after baking)
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken: Shred cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Melt butter and blend it with buffalo sauce. Toss the chicken thoroughly so each piece is coated evenly with the spicy, tangy mixture.
- Preheat and Roll Out the Dough: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Prepare a baking sheet or pizza stone. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness and transfer it to your prep station.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread a thin layer of buffalo sauce on the dough surface. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly. Arrange the buffalo chicken on top, then scatter blue cheese crumbles over the pizza.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden and the cheese melts and bubbles deliciously.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle sliced green onions for freshness. Serve hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use warm dough at room temperature for easier stretching and a fluffier crust.
- Don’t overload toppings to maintain a crisp crust and even cooking.
- Mix melted butter into buffalo sauce for a smoother, richer coating on chicken.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked before tossing in buffalo sauce to prevent dryness.
- Using a pizza stone or steel helps achieve a perfectly crispy crust, similar to wood-fired ovens.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Buffalo chicken pizza, spicy pizza, homemade pizza, buffalo sauce, chicken pizza, easy pizza recipe
