Description
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a flavorful and spicy twist on classic pizza, featuring tender shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, tangy blue cheese dressing, and a crispy, golden crust. Perfect for game days or a satisfying weeknight meal, this pizza combines the heat of buffalo sauce with the creamy richness of cheese, topped with red onions and banana peppers for a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Mixture
- 1 ½ cups shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (plus more to drizzle on top)
- 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing (from the ¼ cup, divided; can substitute Ranch)
For the Pizza
- 1 lb. pizza dough (at room temperature)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ¼ cup red onions (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup banana pepper rings (patted dry)
For the Crust Brush
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing (remaining from the ¼ cup, divided)
- 1–2 tablespoons buffalo sauce (for drizzling)
- Chives or green onions (thinly sliced)
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450° F. For an even crispier and browner crust, place a pizza stone inside while the oven preheats.
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Let it marinate to absorb the flavors as you prepare other ingredients.
- Prepare the pizza dough: Spread the pizza dough evenly onto a lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan or onto the preheated pizza stone. Use a fork to poke holes across the dough to prevent bubbles from forming while baking.
- Add sauce and cheese base: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle most of the mozzarella cheese on top to create a delicious cheesy layer.
- Top the pizza: Distribute the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the cheese, followed by the sliced red onions and banana pepper rings. Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Drizzle with dressings: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing along with 1-2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the toppings for extra flavor and spice.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 13 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Prepare crust brush and apply: Combine melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Remove the pizza from the oven and brush this mixture around the crust edges.
- Finish baking the crust: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until the crust turns a golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions or chives, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and fresh chopped parsley. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing if preferred.
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispy, even crust but is optional.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- The holes poked in the dough prevent unwanted bubbling during baking.
- Let the dough come to room temperature before shaping to make it easier to work with.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pizza dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Spicy Pizza, Blue Cheese Pizza, Homemade Pizza, Game Day Recipes, Pizza with Chicken, Buffalo Sauce, Easy Pizza Recipe
