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
Scale
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.
