Last weekend, I decided to switch up our usual pizza night and whipped up a Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe. It was so easy to make and ridiculously delicious! The tangy buffalo sauce, creamy cheese, and that perfect spicy kick made it an instant favorite. Plus, customizing it with our favorite toppings was a blast. Even as someone who loves traditional pizza, I have to say that this recipe felt like a fresh, flavorful upgrade. If you’re looking for something different yet simple for your next pizza night, this is the way to go!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This recipe is packed with flavor and so much fun to make!
A Perfect Blend of Spice and Creaminess
The bold buffalo sauce combined with cheesy goodness offers a fantastic balance of heat and creaminess. It’s the ultimate comfort food for spice lovers.
Quick and Easy to Prepare
Whether you’re a busy parent or just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this pizza is the perfect solution. It comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal effort.
Customizable for All Tastes
From ranch instead of blue cheese to adding extra veggies or skipping certain toppings, you can adjust this recipe to suit everyone’s cravings.
Ideal for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a game night, having a casual dinner party, or just chilling with family, this pizza is a sure crowd-pleaser that looks and tastes restaurant-quality.
Cooking Time
You’ll have this delicious pizza ready in no time!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Keep it simple with these ingredients for a punch of flavor.
For the Pizza
- Shredded chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese dressing (or ranch)
- Pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Red onions
- Banana peppers
For the Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust
- Butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
Garnishes
- Green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Parsley
Variations
There are so many ways to make this recipe your own. Here are a few ideas to mix things up!
Customize Your Ingredients
- Vegetarian Twist: Use vegetarian chicken substitutes or load up on more veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Milder Heat: Opt for mild buffalo sauce or mix it with a little extra blue cheese dressing for less spice.
- Extra Protein: Add crispy bacon or even fried tofu for an extra protein boost.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free pizza crust and ensure all other ingredients are compliant.
Equipment You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few kitchen basics.
- Mixing Bowls: For marinating the chicken and prepping other ingredients.
- Rolling Pin: To roll out the pizza dough evenly.
- Pizza Stone or Pan: Ensures great crust texture by baking evenly.
- Grater: Ideal for freshly shredding mozzarella.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza?
Making this pizza is fun and straightforward with these easy-to-follow steps! 🍕
Marinate the Chicken 🐔
Start by combining shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing in a small bowl. Mix it well and set it aside to marinate while you prepare the dough and toppings.
Prepare the Dough 🍞
Preheat your oven to 450°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up. Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly greased, 12-inch pan or stone. Poke the surface with a fork to stop any bubbles from forming in the crust.
Assemble the Pizza 🧀
Spread an even layer of pizza sauce over the dough. Sprinkle most of the mozzarella cheese on top. Next, evenly distribute the marinated buffalo chicken, thinly sliced red onions, and banana peppers. Add the remaining mozzarella cheese on top for extra melty goodness!
Add Extra Flavor 🎉
Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing and 1-2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the pizza. This step takes the flavor up a notch!
Bake to Perfection 🔥
Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes. While it bakes, mix melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder in a small bowl. After 13 minutes, remove the pizza and brush the garlic butter mixture over the crust. Return it to the oven for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
Garnish and Serve 🌿
Once out of the oven, garnish your pizza with chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Slice it up and serve while it’s still hot!
Tips for Making the Recipe
These tips will help you nail this recipe every single time!
- Use Room Temperature Dough: Cold dough is tough to roll out. Leave it on the counter for 15-20 minutes before starting.
- Shred Your Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well as fresh mozzarella you shred yourself.
- Stick with Low-Moisture Mozzarella: It melts beautifully without introducing too much moisture.
- Don’t Overdo the Sauce: A little goes a long way, so avoid making the crust too soggy with excess sauce.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza?
Turn your pizza night into a fun dining experience with these serving ideas!
For an impressive presentation, slice the pizza into even pieces and serve on a wooden board with a sprinkling of fresh parsley on top. Add a small bowl of extra blue cheese or ranch for dipping, and you’ll have a restaurant-style setup. Pair it with a crisp green salad or celery sticks on the side to balance the spice.
Nutritional Information
The following nutritional details are per slice of the pizza.
- Calories: 278
- Protein: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fat: 11g
Make Ahead and Storage
This pizza is not only quick but also convenient to prep ahead and store.
Preparing in Advance
You can prep components like marinating the chicken and preparing the garlic butter ahead of time. Store each individually in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This way, assembly becomes a breeze when you’re ready to bake.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, simply store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, slice the pizza and wrap each piece tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
When reheating, use the oven rather than the microwave to restore the crispy crust. Place the slices on a baking sheet, cover them loosely with foil, and warm at 275°F for about 25-30 minutes.
With its bold flavors and easy preparation, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza is sure to become your next go-to recipe. It’s versatile, customizable, and absolutely delicious. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a gathering with friends, this pizza won’t disappoint! Give it a try, and you’re bound to love every spicy, cheesy bite. 🍕
For a visual guide, watch the full recipe video here:
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup of buffalo sauce plus extra for drizzling
- ¼ cup of blue cheese dressing or substitute with ranch
- 1 pound of pizza dough brought to room temperature
- ½ cup of pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup of thinly sliced red onions
- ¼ cup of banana pepper rings patted dry
Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust:
- 1 tablespoon of melted butter
- 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
Garnishes:
- Chopped chives or green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating for a crispier, more evenly cooked crust.
- In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and one tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Let it marinate while preparing the other ingredients.
- Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan or stone and stretch the pizza dough onto it. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent bubbling.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, followed by most of the mozzarella cheese. Layer the marinated chicken, sliced red onions, and banana pepper rings on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella.
- Drizzle with three tablespoons of blue cheese dressing and one to two tablespoons of buffalo sauce.
- Bake for 13 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture onto the crust and return the pizza to the oven.
- Bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown.
- Finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. Slice and serve warm!
Notes
-
- Blue Cheese or Ranch: Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese is recommended, but ranch can be used instead.
- Buffalo Sauce: Franks Buffalo Sauce works best for this recipe.
- Mozzarella: Use low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella (like Dragone or Galbani) for the best melt. Avoid fresh mozzarella.
- Pizza Dough: Store-bought refrigerated dough is a quick option, or try homemade dough
