Ultimate Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Easy Homemade Recipe with Ranch and Blue Cheese
Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredible Buffalo Chicken Pizza! It’s an explosion of flavor, featuring tender, juicy chicken coated in spicy buffalo sauce, a creamy ranch dressing base, and a generous layer of gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden-brown perfection on a chewy yet crispy crust. Finished with a tangy sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles and fresh parsley, this homemade pizza is truly a crowd-pleaser that brings together two beloved classics into one irresistible dish.
Few foods capture the hearts and palates quite like pizza and buffalo chicken. When these two culinary titans unite, the result is nothing short of spectacular. This homemade buffalo chicken pizza recipe is not just a dish; it’s an experience, offering the best of both worlds in every bite. It has quickly become a staple in my kitchen, renowned for its ease, speed, and unforgettable taste.
Imagine a pizza crust that’s delightfully chewy on the inside with a satisfyingly crunchy, golden-brown edge. Then, picture that crust generously slathered with cool, zesty ranch dressing instead of traditional pizza sauce, topped with succulent, moist chicken steeped in fiery buffalo sauce. Finally, everything is blanketed under a luscious layer of melted mozzarella, ready to be adorned with sharp blue cheese and fresh herbs. Whether you’re craving the cheesy goodness of pizza or the fiery kick of buffalo wings, this recipe delivers on all fronts, perfectly satisfying both desires simultaneously.
Why This Recipe Is Your Go-To for Buffalo Chicken Pizza
I find myself coming back to this spicy, creamy, and utterly delicious homemade pizza time and time again. Its unique blend of flavors and simple preparation makes it a standout. Here’s a closer look at why I’m confident you’ll adore it as much as I do:
- Effortlessly Quick and Simple. Forget the myth that homemade pizza is a lengthy ordeal. This recipe challenges that notion, proving that incredible flavors don’t require hours in the kitchen. From start to finish, you can have this mouthwatering buffalo chicken pizza ready in under 30 minutes. It’s an incredibly straightforward recipe, perfect for busy weeknights or when unexpected cravings strike.
- Minimally Messy Preparation. Many associate homemade pizza with flour-dusted counters and a sink full of dishes. However, this recipe is surprisingly clean. You’ll only need a baking sheet for the pizza itself and a medium-sized mixing bowl to toss your chicken. This means less cleanup and more time enjoying your culinary creation!
- Ideal for Social Gatherings. Looking for the ultimate party food? This pizza fits the bill perfectly. Its universally appealing flavors—spicy yet balanced, cheesy and satisfying—make it a hit with both children and adults. You can easily adjust the portion sizes by cutting it into smaller squares for appetizers or larger slices for a main course. Plus, the recipe scales up effortlessly; you can double, triple, or even quadruple the ingredients to ensure there’s enough deliciousness to go around for any size crowd.
- The Perfect Fusion of Flavors. This pizza truly embodies the “best of both worlds” concept. It masterfully combines everything you cherish about classic buffalo chicken—the bold heat, the tender meat, the cool creamy accompaniment—with the comforting familiarity of a cheesy pizza. It’s an ingenious way to satisfy multiple cravings with a single, spectacular dish.
Essential Ingredients for Your Spicy Chicken Pizza
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this mouthwatering buffalo chicken pizza. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor that make this recipe so special. Below is a detailed list of everything you’ll need. For the precise measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card at the very bottom of this page.
- Pizza Dough: The foundation of your pizza! You have the flexibility to use your favorite store-bought pre-made dough for ultimate convenience, or if you have a bit more time and enjoy the process, a homemade dough will elevate your pizza to gourmet levels. A good quality dough provides that perfect balance of chewy interior and crispy crust.
- Ranch Dressing: This acts as the creamy, cooling base that perfectly complements the spicy chicken. Select your preferred brand of ranch dressing; its rich, tangy flavor is crucial for balancing the heat of the buffalo sauce. For an extra special touch, consider making it from scratch (see tips below!).
- Cooked and Shredded Chicken: The star of the topping! Ensure your chicken is already cooked and shredded. This can be rotisserie chicken for a quick fix, leftover baked or grilled chicken, or chicken breasts you’ve boiled and shredded specifically for this recipe. About 2.5 cups will be plenty.
- Buffalo Sauce: The fiery heart of this pizza. Use your favorite brand of buffalo wing sauce. The quality and spice level of your sauce will significantly impact the overall flavor profile, so choose one you love!
- Mozzarella Cheese: For that irresistible cheesy pull! Pre-shredded mozzarella is a convenient option and melts beautifully. However, if you prefer, shredding a block of fresh mozzarella yourself can yield an even creamier, meltier texture.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles (Optional, but highly recommended): This ingredient is truly a game-changer for buffalo chicken dishes. While optional, the sharp, pungent flavor of blue cheese crumbles adds a complex depth and a classic tangy contrast to the buffalo spice. It’s a garnish that enhances the authentic buffalo experience.
- Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley not only adds a pop of vibrant color but also introduces a subtle, fresh herbaceous note that brightens the entire dish.
- Cornmeal: A secret weapon for perfect homemade pizza crusts! Sprinkling cornmeal on your baking sheet prevents the dough from sticking, ensures easy transfer, and contributes to a wonderfully crisp bottom crust, enhancing the overall texture.
- Non-stick Cooking Spray: Essential for preparing your baking sheet, working in conjunction with the cornmeal to guarantee a smooth, no-fuss pizza experience.
Crafting Your Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this sensational buffalo chicken pizza is incredibly straightforward and takes just about 25 minutes from start to finish. Follow these simple steps to bring this spicy, cheesy delight to your table:
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to a blazing 450°F (232°C). This high temperature is key to achieving a perfectly crispy crust quickly. As the oven heats, generously coat a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Then, evenly sprinkle one tablespoon of cornmeal over the prepared baking sheet. The cornmeal acts as tiny ball bearings, preventing your dough from sticking and giving the crust a desirable crisp texture.
- Shape the Pizza Dough: Carefully unroll or stretch your pizza dough onto the cornmeal-dusted baking sheet. Work the dough into a circular shape, aiming for approximately 12 inches in diameter. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round – rustic charm is part of homemade pizza! Once shaped, use a fork to gently pierce the dough all over. This step is crucial as it allows steam to escape during the initial bake, preventing large bubbles and ensuring an even crust.
- Pre-bake the Dough: Place the baking sheet with the pierced pizza dough into your preheated oven. Bake for precisely 5 minutes. This quick pre-bake helps to set the crust, making it sturdy enough to hold your generous toppings without becoming soggy.
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Topping: While your dough is pre-baking, turn your attention to the chicken. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the shredded, cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce. Toss the chicken thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated in the vibrant, spicy sauce. This ensures every bite of your pizza will have that signature buffalo kick.
- Assemble Your Pizza Masterpiece: Once the 5-minute pre-bake is complete, carefully remove the pizza dough from the oven. Evenly spread the ranch dressing over the entire surface of the warm crust, leaving a small border for the crust edge. Next, scatter the prepared buffalo chicken mixture over the ranch layer. Finally, generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken, ensuring an even blanket of cheesy goodness.
- Final Bake to Perfection: Return the assembled pizza to the oven. Bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the pizza crust achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue and the mozzarella cheese is bubbling, completely melted, and slightly golden in spots. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Garnish and Serve Hot: Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately sprinkle it with your freshly chopped parsley and, if using, the optional blue cheese crumbles. The residual heat will slightly soften the blue cheese, enhancing its flavor. Allow the pizza to cool for just a minute or two before slicing into your desired portions. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible blend of flavors!
Expert Tips, Smart Tricks, and Creative Variations
This spicy homemade pizza is already incredibly easy and delicious, but with a few extra tips and creative variations, you can elevate it even further, making it truly your own. Here’s how to make it even better and simplify your cooking process:
- Elevate with Homemade Pizza Dough. While the convenience of store-bought dough is a major advantage of this quick recipe, embarking on the journey of making your own pizza dough can transform your pizza experience. Homemade dough offers a superior texture and flavor that is unmatched. My No Knead Pizza Dough is an excellent starting point—it’s surprisingly simple, requires minimal effort, and yields a fantastic base for any pizza, including this buffalo chicken delight.
- Clever Use of Leftover Chicken. This recipe is a fantastic way to utilize cooked chicken you might have lingering in your fridge. Whether it’s leftover roasted, grilled, or even seasoned chicken from another meal, it works beautifully here. Don’t worry if it has some seasonings already; they’ll only add more depth to your pizza. For a truly effortless and budget-friendly option, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is your best friend – simply shred and mix!
- The Superiority of Homemade Ranch Dressing. Just like homemade dough, crafting your own ranch dressing can significantly impact the overall taste profile of this pizza. My Homemade Ranch Dressing recipe is incredibly fresh and vibrant, offering a depth of flavor far beyond what you’ll typically find in a bottle. It pairs exquisitely with the spicy buffalo chicken, creating a harmonious balance. However, always feel free to use whatever ranch dressing you have on hand – convenience is key!
- Ensure Even Cooking: The Importance of Turning. Not all ovens heat uniformly, often resulting in hot spots that can cause uneven cooking or browning. To ensure your pizza crust cooks consistently and avoids burning on one side, make it a habit to check your pizza halfway through the baking time. If you notice one side browning faster than the other, simply give the baking sheet a gentle turn to promote even cooking.
- Crisp Up Your Crust with a Baking Stone or Steel. For those who own a baking steel or pizza stone, this is the perfect recipe to put it to use. These tools absorb and radiate intense, even heat, mimicking a professional pizza oven. Place your steel or stone on a rack in the oven during the preheating phase, allowing it to heat for an additional 20-30 minutes after the oven reaches temperature. Then, carefully slide your baking sheet directly onto the hot stone/steel. This method will give your pizza crust an extraordinarily crisp and satisfyingly charred bottom, enhancing the authentic pizza experience.
- Spice Level Adjustment: Love it hotter? Drizzle a little extra buffalo sauce over the top before serving, or choose a hotter sauce variety. Prefer it milder? Use less buffalo sauce and increase the ranch dressing slightly.
- Add Vegetables: While classic, don’t hesitate to add some thinly sliced red onions, bell peppers, or even a sprinkle of chopped celery for extra crunch and flavor before baking.
Complementary Serving Suggestions
Whether you’re enjoying buffalo chicken pizza for a casual weeknight dinner or serving it at a lively party, finding the right accompaniments can enhance the meal. Here are some of my favorite ideas for what to serve alongside this spicy sensation:
For a Balanced Dinner: If this delicious pizza is your main course, pairing it with a fresh salad or a simple side of vegetables can create a well-rounded and satisfying meal. The coolness and crispness of these sides provide a wonderful contrast to the pizza’s richness and heat.
- Simple Tossed Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing counterpoint to the pizza’s bold flavors.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Earthy and slightly bitter, roasted Brussels sprouts (especially with a touch of bacon) add a sophisticated vegetable component that pairs surprisingly well.
- Tomato Mozzarella Salad: A classic caprese-style salad with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil provides a burst of fresh flavor and a creamy texture that echoes the pizza’s cheesy goodness.
For a Party Spread: When serving this spicy homemade pizza at a party or gathering, it makes an excellent addition to a spread of other delectable snacks and finger foods. Its robust flavor ensures it won’t get lost among other appetizers.
- Bacon Wrapped Smokies: Savory, sweet, and perfectly bite-sized, these are always a hit and complement the party vibe.
- Totchos: A playful combination of tater tots and nachos, offering another cheesy, customizable, and fun finger food option.
- Pinwheel Sandwiches: Easy to make and visually appealing, pinwheels offer a lighter, cooler option to balance the pizza’s spice.
- Flautas: Crispy, savory rolled tacos provide another great handheld snack that complements the robust flavors of the pizza.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza
One of the best things about pizza is that it often tastes just as good, if not better, the next day! If you happen to have any slices of this delicious buffalo chicken pizza left over, rest assured they can be stored and reheated to perfection. Proper storage ensures freshness and flavor.
For refrigeration, allow the pizza to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer the slices to an airtight container. Stored this way, your leftover pizza will remain fresh and delicious in the fridge for at least 3 days. This makes it fantastic for meal prep or quick lunches.
When it comes to reheating, you have several excellent options, each offering a slightly different result:
- Microwave: For the quickest reheat, place a slice or two on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-60 seconds, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is warmed through. Be aware that the crust might become a bit soft in the microwave.
- Oven: To restore a crispy crust, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slices directly on a baking sheet or on a piece of aluminum foil. Heat for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is crispy.
- Air Fryer: An air fryer is fantastic for achieving a super crispy crust. Place slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd). Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, checking periodically, until heated through and crisp.
- Stovetop: This method is surprisingly effective for a crispy bottom crust. Place your pizza slices in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid (or aluminum foil) to trap the heat and help melt the cheese on top. Heat for about 5 minutes. If the cheese isn’t fully melted or the crust isn’t as crispy as you’d like, continue cooking for another minute or two, checking frequently. This method results in a wonderfully crispy base without drying out the toppings.
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
Absolutely! This buffalo chicken pizza freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for future meals or emergency cravings. Freezing is a fantastic way to extend the life of your delicious homemade pizza.
To freeze, first ensure the pizza is completely cool after baking. Once cooled, individual slices or the entire pizza (if you want to freeze it whole) should be wrapped tightly. For best results and to prevent freezer burn, use a double layer of airtight plastic wrap, then follow with a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, place slices into freezer-safe airtight plastic bags. Properly stored, frozen buffalo chicken pizza will last for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it, you can reheat the pizza directly from frozen. While the microwave is an option for speed, the best results for frozen pizza typically come from the oven or stovetop. Allow a few extra minutes for the pizza to heat through, as it will be starting from a frozen state. Follow the oven or stovetop reheating instructions above, simply extending the cooking time until the crust is crisp and the cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
Discover More Easy Homemade Pizza Recipes
There’s never a bad time for pizza, and the joy of making it at home is unbeatable! Not only is it often more delicious than delivery, but it’s also a more economical and customizable option. If you’ve loved this buffalo chicken pizza, you’re in for a treat with these other fantastic and easy pizza recipes you can whip up in your own kitchen:
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza: A savory delight combining crispy bacon, tender chicken, and creamy ranch on a perfect pizza crust.
- Philly Cheesesteak Pizza: All the iconic flavors of the beloved sandwich, transformed into a satisfying pizza experience.
- Potato Pizza: An unexpectedly delicious and hearty pizza featuring thinly sliced potatoes and savory toppings.
- Cheeseburger Pizza: Get the taste of your favorite cheeseburger in pizza form, complete with all the fixings.
- Mushroom and Ham White Pizza: A lighter, yet incredibly flavorful white pizza featuring earthy mushrooms and savory ham.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
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Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce, plus more for serving
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, optional
- Chopped parsley to garnish
- 1 Tablespoon cornmeal
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to a high heat of 450°F (232°C) to ensure a crispy crust.
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Spray a large baking sheet generously with non-stick cooking spray, then evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cornmeal over the entire surface. This prevents sticking and adds crispiness to the crust.1 Tablespoon cornmeal, Non-stick cooking spray
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Roll your pizza dough onto the prepared baking sheet, forming a circular shape about 12 inches in diameter. Using a fork, pierce the dough evenly all over to prevent large bubbles. Bake the dough in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to par-cook the crust.1 pound pizza dough
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While the pizza dough is pre-baking, combine the cooked and shredded chicken and 3/4 cup of buffalo sauce in a mixing bowl. Toss thoroughly until the chicken is completely and evenly coated in the spicy sauce.2 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken, 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
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Once the dough’s initial bake is done, remove it from the oven. Evenly spread 1/2 cup of ranch dressing over the entire surface of the par-baked crust, leaving a small edge for the crust.1/2 cup ranch dressing
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Distribute the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the ranch-coated pizza. Then, generously sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken layer, ensuring good coverage.1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden brown and the mozzarella cheese is thoroughly melted and bubbly.
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Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Garnish immediately with chopped parsley and, if desired, the optional 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles. Slice and serve hot for the best flavor experience.Chopped parsley to garnish, 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a double layer of airtight bags for up to 3 months.
- To reheat for a crispy crust, place pizza in a skillet with a lid over medium heat for 5 minutes, or in an oven/air fryer. Continue heating if cheese isn’t fully melted.
- This recipe is a perfect way to use up leftover chicken or quickly prepare a meal with rotisserie chicken.
- For the absolute best buffalo pizza, consider making your own No-Knead Pizza Dough and Homemade Ranch Dressing.
- Adjust the buffalo sauce amount to suit your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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