If you’re craving a flavor explosion that combines spicy, creamy, and cheesy goodness all in one bite, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. Tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, melty mozzarella, sharp blue cheese dressing, and zesty banana peppers come together on a perfectly crisp pizza crust that’s brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser whether you’re game night hosting or just treating yourself to an exceptionally delicious homemade pizza.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe lies in its straightforward yet impactful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role to balance spice, creaminess, crunch, and vibrant color, making your pizza irresistible.
- Shredded chicken: Use cooked, tender shredded chicken for a hearty and satisfying protein base.
- Buffalo sauce: The star of the show, bringing that signature spicy kick.
- Blue cheese dressing: Provides a cool, tangy contrast that pairs perfectly with the heat.
- Pizza dough: Choose good quality dough at room temperature for the best rise and chew.
- Pizza sauce: A light layer adds subtle tomato sweetness without overpowering.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds gooey texture.
- Red onions: Thinly sliced for a touch of sharpness and crunch.
- Banana pepper rings: Adds a mild heat and tangy pop of color—make sure to pat dry!
- Melted butter: Combined with Parmesan and garlic for brushing the crust, elevating every bite of the edge.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated finely to infuse a salty, nutty richness.
- Garlic powder: Infuses savory depth.
- Chives/Green onions, red pepper flakes, parsley: Fresh herbs and spices to finish and garnish for that vibrant look and flavor boost.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Get that oven roaring hot at 450° F. If you have a pizza stone, place it inside while the oven heats up. This will help achieve that golden, crispy crust every pizza lover dreams of.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Letting it marinate infuses every morsel with spicy, tangy goodness, making sure your pizza is packed with flavor from the first bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Dough
Spread your pizza dough out onto a greased 12-inch pizza pan or stone. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough—this little trick prevents bubbles from forming and keeps your crust perfectly even and crispy.
Step 4: Layer Your Toppings
Start with a thin layer of pizza sauce, then sprinkle most of your mozzarella evenly. Next, add the buffalo chicken, followed by red onions and banana pepper rings. Top with the remaining mozzarella to create that perfect stretchy cheese blanket over your toppings.
Step 5: Add Blue Cheese and Buffalo Sauce Drizzle
Drizzle about three tablespoons of blue cheese dressing and one to two tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the top. This extra drizzle kicks up the flavor and keeps every slice wonderfully saucy without being overwhelming.
Step 6: Bake Part One
Pop your pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes. By now, the cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the crust starting to set but not fully browned.
Step 7: Butter and Parmesan Crust Brush
Mix melted butter, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder, then generously brush this mixture all over the crust edges. This step adds a buttery, garlicky finish that takes your crust from good to irresistible.
Step 8: Bake Part Two
Return the pizza to the oven for another 2-3 minutes until the crust edges are beautifully golden and crisp, giving you that satisfying crunch when you bite in.
Step 9: Garnish and Slice
Scatter fresh green onions, red pepper flakes, and parsley over your pizza before slicing. These fresh toppings add color, a bit of crunch, and an extra pop of flavor that makes each slice look as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like green onions and parsley brighten up the rich, bold flavors of the pizza. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds an extra kick of heat for those who want more spice. These garnishes not only elevate the pizza visually but also add layers of flavor and texture to each bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe with crunchy celery sticks and carrot batons for a classic Buffalo wing vibe, but pizza style. A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette pairs beautifully too, balancing the richness with fresh, zesty greens.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Serve the pizza on a wooden board or rustic stone platter and provide small bowls of extra blue cheese dressing and buffalo sauce for dipping. For a party, cut the pizza into smaller squares or bite-size pieces for easy sharing. Adding a drizzle of ranch or a sprinkle of extra chives right at the table makes it interactive and fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, so leftover slices can be just as tasty as fresh ones.
Freezing
This pizza freezes well if you want to prep ahead. Freeze whole or slice into portions wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To revive your Buffalo Chicken Pizza, bake slices in a preheated oven at 375° F on a baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes until the crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling again. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the crust from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I use ranch dressing instead of blue cheese?
Absolutely! Ranch dressing works beautifully if you prefer a milder, creamier flavor. It still complements the buffalo chicken perfectly and is a popular swap.
What type of chicken is best for this pizza?
Cooked, shredded chicken breast or rotisserie chicken works best. It’s tender, easy to shred, and absorbs the buffalo sauce well for maximum flavor.
Is this pizza very spicy?
The buffalo sauce brings a nice level of heat, but you can easily adjust it. Use more or less buffalo sauce depending on your spice tolerance, and remember the blue cheese dressing cools it down nicely.
Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute the regular pizza dough with your favorite gluten-free dough. The toppings and sauce all work wonderfully, making it an inclusive treat for gluten-sensitive friends.
How do I get a crispy crust like at a pizzeria?
Using a pizza stone preheated in the oven helps create that crispy bottom crust by evenly distributing heat. Also, make sure your dough is spread thin and poke holes to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe is truly one of those dishes you’ll find yourself craving again and again. Its perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors on a crisp, buttery crust makes it an absolute winner for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for friends, family, or just a cozy night in, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it!
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza combines spicy buffalo chicken with creamy blue cheese and mozzarella on a crispy, golden crust. With a perfect balance of heat and tang, topped with banana peppers and red onions, it’s a flavorful twist on classic pizza that’s sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 1 ½ cups shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (plus more to drizzle on top)
- 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing (from the ¼ cup, divided)
Pizza Base and Toppings
- 1 lb. pizza dough (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing (remaining from the ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup red onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup banana pepper rings (patted dry)
Crust Butter Mixture
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Garnishes
- Chives or green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C). Place a pizza stone inside if you have one to ensure a crispier, evenly cooked crust.
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Let it marinate to absorb the flavors while you prepare other ingredients.
- Prepare the dough: Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or pizza stone. Spread the pizza dough evenly over the surface. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent air bubbles forming during baking.
- Assemble the pizza: Spread pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle most of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Distribute the buffalo chicken mixture, then add thinly sliced red onions and banana pepper rings. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Add cheese and buffalo drizzle: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing over the toppings, followed by 1-2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce to enhance the spicy, creamy flavor.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes until the cheese is melted and the crust is firm but not browned yet.
- Prepare the crust glaze: Combine melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture over the edge of the pizza crust to flavor and help it brown.
- Final bake: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the crust edges turn a golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Sprinkle with chopped chives or green onions, red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and fresh parsley. Slice into 8 pieces and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese dressing with ranch dressing if preferred.
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but is optional.
- Make sure banana pepper rings are patted dry to avoid excess moisture on the pizza.
- Adjust buffalo sauce drizzling to your preferred spice level.
- Allow pizza dough to come to room temperature before spreading for easier handling.
