Buffalo Chicken Pizza combines the zesty flavors of Buffalo wings with the timeless appeal of pizza, making it a favorite in sports bars and home kitchens alike. This dish offers a perfect blend of spicy chicken, creamy blue cheese, and stretchy mozzarella atop a crispy crust.
Essential Ingredients
To create an authentic Buffalo Chicken Pizza, you’ll need:
- Chicken: Cooked and shredded or chopped
- Buffalo sauce: Homemade or store-bought
- Blue cheese: Crumbled, for that authentic Buffalo wing flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: Shredded, for melty goodness
- Pizza dough: Homemade or pre-made
- Celery: Thinly sliced, for garnish
- Carrots: Thinly sliced, for garnish
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Discover how to craft your own Buffalo sauce with these Homemade Buffalo Sauce Recipes, perfect for giving your pizza that signature kick.
How to Make It Buffalo Chicken Pizza
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Preparing the Chicken
To prepare the chicken for your pizza:
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and no longer pink in the middle. You can bake, grill, or pan-fry the chicken.
- Once cooked, shred or chop the chicken and toss it with enough Buffalo sauce to coat it thoroughly, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Crafting the Perfect Buffalo Sauce
Creating your own Buffalo sauce is simple:
- Combine hot sauce, a touch of vinegar, melted butter, and a pinch of garlic powder in a saucepan.
- Heat gently until the ingredients are well combined. Adjust the heat level to taste.
Assembling the Pizza
Follow these steps to assemble your Buffalo Chicken Pizza:
- Spread a thin layer of Buffalo sauce over your rolled-out pizza dough.
- Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Distribute the Buffalo-coated chicken evenly on top of the cheese.
- Add crumbles of blue cheese generously over the chicken.
Master the art of pizza dough with these tips on Perfecting Your Pizza Dough.
Baking Techniques
To bake your pizza to perfection:
- Preheat your oven to its highest setting, typically between 450°F (232°C) and 500°F (260°C).
- If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven. If not, use a baking sheet.
- Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
- Serve your Buffalo Chicken Pizza fresh out of the oven, topped with fresh celery and carrot sticks for a crunchy contrast.
- Pair with a cool ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- A crisp, cold beer or a glass of sparkling water complements the spiciness of the pizza perfectly.
FAQs
- Can I use rotisserie chicken for Buffalo Chicken Pizza?
- Absolutely, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds flavor.
- How can I make my pizza crust crispier?
- Preheat your pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven to ensure a crispy crust from the bottom up.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Evenly distribute ingredients: Ensure that each slice of pizza has a good balance of chicken, sauces, and cheeses.
- Monitor your oven: Depending on its quirks and hot spots, rotate the pizza halfway through baking for an even cook.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The bold flavors and varying textures make it a hit for any gathering or a cozy night in. For more creative pizza ideas, check out these Creative Pizza Topping Ideas to keep your menu exciting.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
- 1 pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- 1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions, for garnish
- Carrot sticks and celery sticks, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a bowl, toss the cooked, shredded chicken with the Buffalo wing sauce until well coated.
Assemble the Pizza:
- Brush the rolled-out dough with olive oil.
- Evenly spread the ranch or blue cheese dressing over the dough as the base sauce.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the sauce.
- Distribute the Buffalo chicken evenly on top of the cheese.
- If using, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles over the chicken.
Bake
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the hot pizza for freshness.
- Cut into slices and serve with carrot and celery sticks on the side.
