Perfect for pizza night, this Buffalo Chicken Pizza combines spicy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and gooey cheese for an irresistible family meal.
Quick Facts:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4 people (12-inch pizza)
- Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Want to skip the pizza delivery and make something special at home? This Buffalo Chicken Pizza brings the heat and flavor right to your kitchen. The combination of spicy buffalo sauce and melty mozzarella creates pure pizza magic.
Each bite delivers the perfect balance of tangy buffalo chicken, creamy cheese, and crispy crust. Best of all, you can make it in just 30 minutes using simple ingredients.
Equipment Needed
- 12-inch pizza pan or pizza stone
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Cheese grater (if not using pre-shredded cheese)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin (optional)
Ingredients
For the Pizza Base:
- 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup buffalo sauce, divided
- 2 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Red onions, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for drizzling
- Extra buffalo sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Kitchen Setup (5 minutes)
- Clear your counter space and gather all ingredients
- Place all ingredients on the counter in recipe order
- Set up your tools within easy reach
- Line your pizza pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray
- Position your oven rack in the middle position
- Start preheating your oven to 450°F (232°C)
2. Dough Preparation (10 minutes)
- Remove pizza dough from packaging
- Sprinkle flour on your clean counter surface in a 15-inch circle
- Place dough in the center of floured surface
- Using your fingers, press the dough outward from the center:
- Start by making a 6-inch circle
- Gradually press outward to make an 8-inch circle
- Continue until you reach a 12-inch circle
- If dough springs back, let it rest for 5 minutes and try again
- Fix any holes by pinching the dough back together
- Create a slightly raised edge around the perimeter for the crust
3. Buffalo Chicken Mixture (5 minutes)
- Place shredded chicken in a medium mixing bowl
- Add measured ingredients in this order:
- Pour in 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Add 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- Mix with a spoon until chicken is evenly coated
- Test the spice level – add more buffalo sauce if desired
- Let mixture rest while assembling pizza
4. Pizza Assembly (10 minutes)
- Transfer prepared dough to pizza pan:
- Gently lift dough using both hands
- Place on prepared pan
- Adjust shape if needed
- Add base layers:
- Brush entire surface with olive oil using a pastry brush
- Spread 1/2 cup buffalo sauce in a thin layer, leaving 1/2 inch border
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly
- Add chicken layer:
- Spoon buffalo chicken mixture evenly over cheese
- Break up any large chunks of chicken
- Add final toppings:
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella
- Add blue cheese crumbles
- Add any optional toppings
5. Baking Process (15 minutes)
- Before baking, check:
- Oven is fully preheated to 450°F
- Rack is in middle position
- All toppings are secure on pizza
- Carefully place pizza in oven:
- Use two hands to hold pan
- Slide onto rack slowly
- Set timer for 12 minutes
- Check pizza at 12 minutes for:
- Golden brown crust
- Melted, bubbly cheese
- If needed, bake 2-3 minutes more
- Remove from oven:
- Use oven mitts
- Place on heat-safe surface
- Let rest 2-3 minutes
6. Finishing Steps (5 minutes)
- Add final touches:
- Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce if desired
- Add fresh cilantro
- Drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Cut pizza:
- Wait until pizza has rested
- Use a sharp pizza cutter
- Cut into 8 equal slices
- Serve immediately while hot
Troubleshooting Tips
- Soggy Crust? Pre-bake plain crust for 5 minutes
- Too Spicy? Mix buffalo sauce with ranch dressing
- Dough Won’t Stretch? Let it reach room temperature
- Cheese Too Greasy? Use part-skim mozzarella
Variations & Substitutions
- Whole Wheat Crust: Use whole wheat pizza dough
- Lighter Version: Use cauliflower crust and reduced-fat cheese
- Time-Saver: Use rotisserie chicken
- Extra Protein: Add crumbled bacon
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container
- Keeps in refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven at 375°F for 10 minutes
- Avoid microwave (makes crust soggy)
Safety Notes & Tips
- Always cook chicken to 165°F internal temperature
- Let hot pizza rest before cutting
- Use oven mitts when handling hot pan
- Keep buffalo sauce away from eyes
- Wash hands after handling raw dough
Remember: This Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe makes enough for 4 people, with each person getting 2-3 slices. For larger groups, simply double the recipe and make two pizzas.
