If you are craving a bold, flavorful twist on your usual pizza night, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. Combining tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy, spicy buffalo wing sauce with creamy blue cheese and gooey mozzarella over a crispy crust, it’s an irresistible balance of heat, creaminess, and cheesy goodness. Whether you’re hosting friends or just spoiling yourself, this pizza packs a punch of taste and delight that’s sure to satisfy every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe depends on simple, straightforward ingredients that come together to make something truly spectacular. Each element plays its part — from the rich, tangy blue cheese dressing acting as the perfect base, to the spicy buffalo sauce adding that iconic kick, and the mozzarella providing melty, luscious texture.
- 1 pound homemade or store-bought pizza dough: The foundation of the pizza, offering a crispy yet chewy crust that holds all your toppings beautifully.
- ⅓ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing): Adds a creamy, tangy layer that perfectly complements the spicy chicken.
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded: Melts into a golden, bubbly blanket that ties the toppings together.
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended): Tender and flavorful, this is the hearty protein star of the pizza.
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce, plus more for serving (optional): Brings that signature spicy heat that defines this style of pizza.
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese: Adds bold, sharp bites of flavor in every mouthful.
- Optional garnishes: blue cheese or ranch dressing, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro: Fresh garnishes brighten and elevate the final presentation and taste.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to a sizzling 450°F (232°C), ideally with a pizza stone inside if you have one — this ensures a perfectly crispy crust. Roll out your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. If you’re using a pizza peel, place the dough right on it; otherwise, transfer it onto parchment paper or a baking sheet. Taking a moment to get the dough ready right sets the stage for a fantastic pie.
Step 2: Layer with Dressing, Cheese, and Chicken
Next, spread a generous layer of blue cheese dressing evenly across the pizza dough’s surface. This acts as a creamy, tangy base that complements the buffalo flavors perfectly. Sprinkle half of your shredded mozzarella cheese over the dressing. In a separate bowl, toss your shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce until nicely coated. Spread the spicy chicken over the cheese, then top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle on the crumbled blue cheese for bursts of sharp flavor.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Carefully transfer the pizza onto your hot pizza stone using your peel or the parchment paper if baking on a sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, keeping an eye on it until the crust is golden brown and everything is bubbly and melty. This step is where the magic happens — the crust crisps, the cheese melts into gooey perfection, and those flavors combine into a masterpiece.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Once your pizza is out of the oven, allow it to cool just slightly to let the cheese set. Then, garnish with sliced green onions, a drizzle of extra blue cheese or ranch dressing, and even a splash of hot sauce if you’re craving more heat. Slice it up and dig in while warm — the combination of spicy, creamy, and crispy is truly unbeatable.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like fresh green onions or chopped cilantro introduces a fresh zing that cuts through the richness beautifully. Extra dollops of ranch or blue cheese dressing add creaminess and can cool down the spice if needed. These simple touches elevate the pizza from fantastic to spectacular and make every bite worth savoring.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with crisp, cooling side dishes. Think crunchy celery sticks with a bit of ranch or blue cheese dip, or a refreshing leafy green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. These sides provide a nice balance and keep your meal feeling light and complete.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the pizza as small bite-sized slices at your next party or game night. You might also build individual mini pizzas using the same toppings for personalized servings. If you want to wow guests, plate it with stylish drizzles of buffalo sauce and neatly arranged fresh herbs — the presentation will be just as impressive as the flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Buffalo Chicken Pizza keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors often deepen overnight. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before storing to maintain the crust’s texture.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. Frozen Buffalo Chicken Pizza slices can last for 1 to 2 months and make a quick, satisfying meal whenever you want a flavorful treat.
Reheating
To bring leftover or frozen pizza slices back to life, reheat in a preheated oven at around 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes on a baking sheet. This helps the crust regain its crispness and the cheese melt smoothly. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use ranch dressing instead of blue cheese dressing?
Absolutely! Ranch dressing is a fantastic substitute that tempers the buffalo spice with a creamy, herby flavor. Use whichever dressing you prefer or have on hand for a personalized touch.
Is it better to use homemade or store-bought pizza dough?
Both work well! Homemade dough gives you full control over thickness and flavor, while store-bought dough is a convenient timesaver. Choose based on how much time you have and the texture you like.
Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply skip the chicken and load up on veggies like roasted cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce, mushrooms, or bell peppers to keep that spicy, cheesy vibe going strong.
How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe?
The spice level depends on the buffalo wing sauce you use. Most have a moderate heat level that can be adjusted by using more or less sauce or by choosing mild or hot varieties. Plus, the blue cheese dressing helps mellow out the heat perfectly.
Can I prepare this pizza ahead of time?
You can assemble the pizza up to the baking step and refrigerate it for a few hours before cooking. Just let it come to room temperature before baking to ensure an even cook and a crispy crust.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe is a game changer for pizza lovers who adore a little heat and bold flavor. It’s easy to make, delightfully rich, and endlessly adaptable to your taste. I encourage you to try this recipe for your next meal and watch it quickly become a beloved favorite among family and friends.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza combines the bold flavors of spicy buffalo wing sauce with creamy blue cheese and mozzarella cheese on a crispy homemade or store-bought pizza dough. Perfectly baked to a golden crust with melty cheese and tender chicken, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser ideal for game days or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 pound homemade or store-bought pizza dough, room temperature
Cheese & Sauce
- ⅓ cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch dressing)
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
Chicken Topping
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce, plus more for serving (optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Blue cheese or ranch dressing
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C), placing a pizza stone inside if you have one to ensure a crispy crust. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Use a pizza peel for easy transfer or place the dough on parchment paper or a baking sheet if a peel is not available.
- Layer the Pizza: Spread ⅓ cup of blue cheese dressing evenly over the pizza dough. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Toss the shredded cooked chicken with ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce, then distribute the buffalo chicken evenly over the cheese layer. Finish by topping with the remaining mozzarella and crumbled blue cheese for extra flavor and creaminess.
- Bake the Pizza: Transfer the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone using the peel or slide the parchment paper onto the stone. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts into a bubbly, appetizing layer.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the pizza to cool for a few minutes to set. Garnish with sliced green onions and additional blue cheese or ranch dressing, or more buffalo sauce if desired. Slice the pizza and serve warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and best flavor, or substitute with any shredded cooked chicken.
- If you don’t have a pizza stone, a baking sheet works fine; just preheat the oven thoroughly for the best crust.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to control the spiciness of the pizza.
- For a crispier crust, roll the dough thinner or pre-bake the crust for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings.
- Blue cheese dressing can be substituted with ranch dressing if preferred.
- Garnishes like green onions and cilantro add freshness and a pop of color.
