I’ll never forget the first time I made buffalo chicken pizza for a game day gathering – it disappeared faster than my uncle could grab a cold beer! This fiery twist on classic pizza hits all the right notes with crispy crust, juicy chicken, and that addictive tangy-spicy buffalo sauce combo that makes everyone come back for seconds. My secret? The perfect balance of gooey mozzarella and crumbled blue cheese that cools down the heat just enough. Whether we’re watching football or just craving something bold on a weeknight, this buffalo chicken pizza has become our go-to « cheat day » favorite that feels anything but ordinary.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Okay, let me tell you why this pizza is my absolute favorite thing to throw together when I want big flavor with minimal fuss. First off – it’s ridiculously fast! From dough to done in under 35 minutes? Yes please. The spicy-sweet buffalo sauce paired with creamy cheeses creates that perfect « can’t stop eating it » quality that makes this pizza disappear every single time I make it. Here’s what makes this recipe special:
- Quick weeknight lifesaver – Seriously, preheating the oven takes longer than prepping the toppings!
- Bold flavors that wow – That perfect balance of spicy buffalo and cooling blue cheese gets people talking
- Always a crowd-pleaser – I swear this pizza gets more compliments at parties than my famous artichoke dip
- Easy to customize – Add more heat, swap cheeses, load it up – it’s endlessly adaptable
- Leftovers are just as good (if you’re lucky enough to have any)
Trust me, once you try this buffalo chicken pizza, it’ll become your secret weapon for game days, casual dinners, and those nights when only something spicy and cheesy will do!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients and let’s make magic happen! I always lay everything out first because trust me, once you start assembling, you won’t want to stop to hunt for anything. Here’s exactly what you’ll need for the best buffalo chicken pizza of your life:
For the Dough:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade – no shame in the pre-made game!)
For the Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken (I use rotisserie when I’m feeling lazy)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot is my ride-or-die)
- 1 cup packed shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (the funkier the better in my book)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (it makes all the difference)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Listen, I know we all have our pantry quirks and preferences, so here’s how to make this pizza your own. Don’t have blue cheese? Try ranch dressing or even gorgonzola. Out of fresh cilantro? A sprinkle of green onions works great in a pinch. As for the chicken, any cooked shreds will do – leftover grilled chicken? Perfect. Canned chicken? Yeah, I’ve been there too, and it works in a pinch!
The beauty of this pizza is how forgiving it is. Want more heat? Up the buffalo sauce. Need it milder? Mix the sauce with some melted butter before spreading. Vegetarian? Swap in cauliflower florets – they soak up that buffalo flavor beautifully. The only non-negotiable? That gooey mozzarella – it’s the glue that holds this spicy masterpiece together!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Alright, pizza makers, let’s get cooking! I promise this buffalo chicken pizza comes together so easily you’ll be eating before you know it. The key is having all your toppings ready to go – trust me, once that dough hits the counter, you’ll be diving in before you can say « extra cheese please! » Here’s exactly how I make mine:
- Preheat your oven to a screaming hot 450°F (230°C) – we want that crisp crust!
- Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface. I like mine about ¼ inch thick – thick enough to hold all those toppings but thin enough to get crispy.
- Slather on the buffalo sauce like you’re painting a masterpiece. I use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly, leaving just a tiny crust border.
- Layer on the goods starting with your shredded chicken, then that glorious mozzarella cheese. Don’t be shy! The cheese helps everything stick together.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until your kitchen smells amazing and the crust is golden-brown. The cheese should be bubbling like lava!
- Finish with crumbled blue cheese and cilantro the second it comes out of the oven – the residual heat makes the blue cheese just melty enough.
See? Didn’t I tell you it was easy? Now the hardest part – waiting those agonizing two minutes before slicing so you don’t burn your mouth!
Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Listen, I’ve made every buffalo chicken pizza mistake so you don’t have to. Here are my hard-earned secrets:
- Pre-cook your chicken with a bit of garlic powder – it adds flavor and prevents dryness
- Use parchment paper unless you enjoy scraping cheese off pans (I’ve been there)
- Adjust the heat by mixing melted butter with your buffalo sauce – more butter mellows the spice
- Let your dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes first – it rolls out way easier
- Broil for the last minute
Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Now here’s where my buffalo chicken pizza really shines – it’s the ultimate social food! I love serving this pizza with crisp celery sticks and cool ranch dressing for dipping – that classic buffalo wing pairing makes the whole experience even more fun. For parties, I’ll often slice it into small squares so guests can snack easily while watching the game.
Weeknight dinners get the royal treatment too – just add a simple green salad with creamy dressing. The fresh greens balance out that wonderful spicy richness perfectly. Seriously, there’s no wrong way to serve this pizza – whether it’s girls’ night, football Sunday, or just one of those « I need comfort food NOW » evenings, this spicy masterpiece fits right in.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Storage & Reheating
Let’s be real – the idea of having leftover buffalo chicken pizza is practically laughable in my house. But on the rare occasion a slice or two survives, here’s how I keep it tasting fresh and delicious. First, I wrap that beautiful cheesy goodness tightly in foil – no fancy containers needed, just seal it up like a precious treasure. It’ll keep perfectly in the fridge for up to 3 days (not that it’s ever lasted that long).
Crisping it back up is where the magic happens. My tip? Skip the microwave unless you like soggy crust. Instead, pop it in a 375°F oven or air fryer for about 5 minutes – just until the cheese gets bubbly again. If you’re feeling extra, brush the crust with a little melted butter or olive oil first for that « just baked » texture. Works like a charm every time!
Want to freeze some for later? Slice it up before wrapping air-tight – that way you can reheat individual slices straight from frozen. My go-to method is the air fryer at 400°F for 6-7 minutes – just watch it carefully because that buffalo sauce can go from perfectly warm to overly reduced in a flash. Either way, you’ll be enjoying that same spicy kick days later with none of that « leftover » disappointment!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Variations
Oh honey, once you’ve mastered the basic buffalo chicken pizza, the fun really begins! I love playing with different variations to keep things exciting – chances are if you can imagine it, it’ll probably taste amazing with that spicy buffalo kick. Here are my favorite ways to mix it up when I’m feeling creative in the kitchen:
First up, bacon makes everything better – sprinkle on some crispy cooked bacon before baking, and suddenly you’ve got buffalo chicken bacon pizza (say that five times fast). For cheese lovers like me, swapping that blue cheese for herby goat cheese adds a whole new dimension of creamy tang. And when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll drizzle the baked pizza with honey – the sweet-heat combo is seriously next level.
Trying to lighten things up? Cauliflower crust works shockingly well with these bold flavors – just pat it super dry first. Veggie overload version? Toss on some red onion slices and bell peppers before baking. And for those deep-dish lovers, pile all these toppings into a cast iron skillet for the ultimate buffalo chicken pizza experience. Whatever variation you try, that spicy buffalo magic always shines through!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Nutrition Information
Let’s keep it real – nobody orders buffalo chicken pizza counting macros! But since we’re all grownups here, let’s peek at what’s going on nutrition-wise with this spicy delight. One generous slice (that’s 1/4 of the whole pizza, and who am I kidding – we’re all having at least two) packs about 380 calories with a solid 22 grams of protein thanks to that chicken. You’re looking at 18 grams of fat (hey, cheese is happiness), 35 grams of carbs for energy, and just enough sodium to make your taste buds dance.
Now here’s my little disclaimer – these numbers can swing depending on your ingredients. Did you go wild with extra cheese? Me too. Using light mozzarella or less sauce? That’ll change things. Homemade crust vs store-bought? Yep, different ballgame. So consider this your general nutrition guideline, not gospel – because when it comes to food this delicious, sometimes you just gotta live a little!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza FAQs
I get asked about this buffalo chicken pizza CONSTANTLY – seems like everyone has the same great questions I used to wonder about too! Here are my real-world answers from years of making (and eating) this spicy beauty:
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! I probably use it more often than homemade because life’s too short to always make dough from scratch. Just give it 30 minutes to come to room temp first – it’ll roll out way easier. My grocery store’s fresh dough works perfectly, and some of those frozen dough balls? Seriously good in a pinch.
How can I make it less spicy?
Easy fix! Just mix your buffalo sauce with equal parts melted butter before spreading – it mellows the heat beautifully. Or try a mild wing sauce instead of the classic hot sauce. My sister-in-law actually uses ranch dressing as the base (I know, sacrilege!) but hey, eat it how you like it.
Can you freeze buffalo chicken pizza?
You bet! Make sure to fully bake it first, then let it cool completely before wrapping slices tightly in foil. They’ll keep for about 2 months frozen. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven or air fryer until the cheese gets melty again – about 10-12 minutes should do it.
What if I don’t like blue cheese?
No judgment here! Try feta for a similar tang without the funk, or go all mozzarella. My secret? Sometimes I switch to pepper jack cheese for an extra kick. Ranch dressing drizzled on top after baking is another crowd-pleasing option that cools down the heat.
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Totally! Prep your dough and assembled-but-unbaked pizza on a baking sheet up to 4 hours ahead – just cover tightly with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge. When guests arrive, pop it in the hot oven and you’ll look like a kitchen rockstar with minimal effort. The aroma alone will have people gathering in your kitchen!
Rate This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Did this spicy masterpiece hit the spot for you? I’d love to hear how your buffalo chicken pizza turned out! Drop a comment below with your favorite tweaks or share a photo of your creation. Your feedback makes my day and helps other pizza lovers too!
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
A spicy twist on classic pizza featuring buffalo sauce, chicken, and cheese.Ingrédients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to desired thickness.
- Spread buffalo sauce evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle shredded chicken and mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until crust is golden and cheese melts.
- Top with crumbled blue cheese and chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
For extra heat, drizzle more buffalo sauce after baking.Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!