Experience the fiery and comforting flavors of Bold Buffalo Chicken Pizza, a mouth-watering dish that masterfully blends spicy buffalo chicken with rich, melty cheeses and a crispy crust. This pizza perfectly balances heat, creaminess, and savory goodness to satisfy your cravings in just 30 minutes.
Whether you’re hosting a casual game night or craving a flavorful homemade meal, this pizza brings that classic buffalo wing taste into a delicious new form. Its golden baked crust provides the perfect base to layer bold buffalo sauce-coated chicken with mozzarella, cheddar, and optional blue cheese for an irresistible finish.
- Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights.
- Combines spicy buffalo chicken with creamy cheese and zesty ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Customizable toppings to suit all taste preferences and dietary needs.
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough: Use 1 pound of store-bought or homemade dough as a sturdy, crispy foundation for your pizza.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon for brushing the crust, adding golden color and a subtle richness.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: 2 cups shredded or chopped to provide tender protein that holds buffalo sauce well.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: 1/3 cup to coat the chicken, delivering the signature spicy and tangy flavor.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: 1/3 cup spread evenly on dough to add a creamy, cooling base.
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 1/2 cups shredded for rich meltiness and stretch.
- Cheddar Cheese: 1/2 cup shredded adds a sharp, tangy complement to mozzarella.
- Red Onion: 1/4 small, thinly sliced to impart a mild sweetness and crunch.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: 1/4 cup optional, for bursts of tangy, creamy flavor that enhance buffalo chicken.
- Fresh Chives or Green Onions: 2 tablespoons chopped to garnish and add fresh mild onion notes.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Workspace
Set your oven to 475°F and place a pizza stone inside if you have one; preheating ensures a perfectly crisp crust. Prepare a clean, floured surface to roll out your dough smoothly without sticking.
- Roll Out the Pizza Dough
On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle for an even, thin crust. Transfer the dough carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel. Brush the dough edges with olive oil for a golden, crispy rim.
- Coat Chicken with Buffalo Sauce
In a medium bowl, thoroughly toss the cooked chicken pieces with buffalo wing sauce until all pieces are evenly coated. This step infuses the chicken with bold spicy flavor, essential for the signature taste.
- Spread the Creamy Dressing
Evenly spread ranch or blue cheese dressing over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. This creamy layer balances the heat from the buffalo chicken and adds moisture.
- Add Toppings
Scatter the buffalo chicken evenly over the dressing-covered dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top for a rich, melty finish. Add thin red onion slices and optional blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor contrast.
- Bake the Pizza
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. This step melds the flavors and crisps the crust for a satisfying bite.
- Garnish and Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped chives or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing to maintain the structure.
- Adjust the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or spicy buffalo sauce to suit your preference.
- Feel free to swap the dressing or omit blue cheese for a milder flavor profile.
- You can make this pizza on a grill for a smoky twist and crispy bottom crust.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or on a skillet to retain crispiness rather than microwaving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this bold pizza with celery sticks and extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. Pair with a light green salad or crisp coleslaw to balance the rich flavors.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pizza dough or crust readily available at grocery stores.
- Let the dough rest for a few minutes after rolling out to prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Use a pizza stone or steel for optimal crust crispiness and even heat distribution.
FAQs
- Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooked chicken breast?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works great as it is already cooked and flavorful. Just shred or chop it before tossing in buffalo sauce.
- What can I substitute for buffalo wing sauce?
You can substitute with hot sauce mixed with melted butter for a similar spicy and tangy taste.
- Is this pizza dairy-free?
No, this pizza contains cheese and creamy dressings. You could try dairy-free cheese alternatives and dressings for a dairy-free version.
- Can this be made ahead of time?
You can assemble the pizza and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. Bake just before serving for best results.
- How do I make this pizza less spicy?
Use mild buffalo sauce or reduce the amount of buffalo sauce on the chicken. Adding extra ranch or blue cheese dressing also helps mellow the heat.
- What type of crust works best?
A thin to medium thickness dough ensures a crispy crust that supports the toppings without becoming soggy.
- Can I add other toppings?
Absolutely! Sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or bell peppers complement the flavors well without overpowering the buffalo taste.
Bold Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Equipment
- 1 oven preheated to 475°F
- 1 pizza stone optional, for heating
- 1 baking sheet or parchment-lined surface
- 1 mixing bowl for tossing chicken with sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or chopped
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
- Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel.
- Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, toss cooked chicken with buffalo wing sauce until evenly coated.
- Spread ranch or blue cheese dressing evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Scatter the buffalo chicken evenly over the dressing layer.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Add thinly sliced red onion and blue cheese crumbles if desired.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh chives or green onions.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use spicy buffalo wing sauce for more heat.
- Customize toppings to suit taste preferences.
- Grill instead of baking for a smoky flavor.
