I love pizza, and Buffalo chicken pizza is my favorite. The spicy, tangy, and creamy mix is amazing. It makes me want more.
We’ll share seven flavor hacks for Buffalo chicken pizza. These tips will make your homemade pizza taste incredible. Perfect for game-day or a cozy night in, these hacks will impress everyone.
Introduction
Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a twist on spicy buffalo chicken wings. It’s a crowd-pleaser with a crispy crust, shredded buffalo chicken, and creamy mozzarella cheese. It’s great for game day or a casual pizza night.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Overview
Buffalo Chicken Pizza mixes spicy buffalo sauce with cheesy goodness. The shredded chicken, smothered in buffalo sauce, is a perfect match for melted mozzarella cheese.
Why Choose Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Pizza is loved for its bold flavors. It’s a mix of spicy buffalo sauce, creamy cheese, and tender chicken. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make at home in 30 minutes. It’s a hit with both adults and kids.
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pizza
To make Buffalo Chicken Pizza, you need a few things. You’ll need pizza dough, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce, cooked and shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and sometimes blue cheese crumbles. You can also add green onions, celery, and carrots for extra flavor and looks.
Nutritional Value of Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo Chicken Pizza can be a nutritious choice when made with fresh ingredients. A slice has about 428 calories, 26g of protein, 45g of carbs, and 15g of fat. The protein comes from the chicken, and carbs from the crust. It’s a good source of protein but should be enjoyed in moderation.
Buffalo Chicken
Making the perfect buffalo chicken topping is key to a tasty buffalo chicken pizza. It starts with juicy, shredded chicken. This chicken is infused with the bold, spicy buffalo sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Preparation
Start with cooked chicken breast. You can grill, bake, or use rotisserie chicken. Once cooked, shred or dice the meat into small pieces. This texture helps spread the buffalo chicken topping evenly.
Marinating Chicken for Pizza
For extra flavor, marinate raw chicken in buffalo sauce before cooking. Place the chicken in a bag or dish, add buffalo sauce, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. This lets the chicken soak up the sauce’s bold, spicy flavors.
Cooking Buffalo Chicken
You can cook the buffalo chicken in several ways. Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for a quick option. Or, bake or grill chicken breasts and then shred them. Sauté diced chicken in a skillet for another easy method. Make sure the chicken is cooked and shreds easily before tossing it with buffalo sauce.
Shredding Buffalo Chicken
After cooking, shred the chicken into small pieces for the topping. Use two forks to pull the chicken apart. Or, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for quicker shredding. Pre-shredded rotisserie chicken is also a convenient choice.
Types of Buffalo Sauce
The key to buffalo chicken’s flavor is the buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice, but many other brands are available. You can also make your own buffalo sauce with hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and seasonings. Choose a sauce that balances heat, tang, and flavor well with the chicken and pizza toppings.
Pizza Crust
The base of a tasty buffalo chicken pizza is the crust. You can make your own dough or buy one. Homemade dough lets you pick the thickness and texture. But, store-bought crusts like Pillsbury can save time.
Pre-bake the crust for 8-10 minutes before adding toppings. This makes it crisp and golden.
Crust Alternatives
Looking for something different? Try cauliflower crust for a gluten-free option. Or use naan bread or flatbread for a chewy base. These crust alternatives let you enjoy buffalo chicken in new ways.
Making the buffalo chicken pizza crust takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. The recipe was updated on 3/29/24. It has a 4 out of 5 star rating from 58 votes. The pizza makes 8 slices, great for sharing or leftovers.
Sauce and Cheese
The star of buffalo chicken pizza is the buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, offering the right mix of heat and tang. You can also try other buffalo sauces or make your own homemade version. Just make sure it’s bold and spicy.
Buffalo Sauce Selection
When making the buffalo chicken pizza, layer the buffalo sauce right. Spread it evenly over the crust, leaving a little room around the edges. This helps the crust stay crispy. Then, add the shredded buffalo chicken and top with cheese. This lets the sauce infuse the pizza with flavor.
Layering Buffalo Sauce
For a spicier buffalo chicken pizza, mix the buffalo sauce with another spicy sauce. Use buffalo sauce as the base, then add the extra spicy sauce over the chicken. This adds more heat and flavor. You can adjust how spicy it is to your liking.
Spicy Sauce Combo
For a vegan version of buffalo chicken pizza, use plant-based cheese instead of mozzarella and blue cheese. There are many vegan cheese options, like shredded mozzarella-style and crumbled blue cheese-style. These dairy-free cheese replacements let everyone enjoy the pizza’s bold flavors, even if they follow a plant-based lifestyle.
Vegan Cheese Varieties
Toppings
Adding fresh veggies to your buffalo chicken pizza can make it even better. Try using sliced celery, carrot sticks, and green onions. These add a cool crunch that balances the pizza’s heat and richness.
Other veggies like tomatoes or red onions can also enhance your pizza. They add flavor and make your pizza look great.
While buffalo chicken is the main attraction, you can add more protein for a heartier meal. Crispy bacon, ham, or extra rotisserie chicken are all good choices. They add more savory flavors and make the pizza more filling.
Adding Heat with Jalapenos
If you like a little more heat, add sliced fresh jalapeños to your pizza. They bring a spicy kick that pairs well with the buffalo sauce. You can adjust how many jalapeños you use to control the spiciness. Plus, they add a pop of color to your pizza.
Assembly and Baking
When making the buffalo chicken pizza, layering ingredients is key. Start by spreading buffalo sauce over the crust, leaving a gap around the edges. Then, add shredded buffalo chicken, making sure it’s evenly spread. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and any other toppings like blue cheese, celery, or green onions.
This careful assembly of the pizza lets flavors blend well during baking.
Pizza-Baking Techniques
To make a great buffalo chicken pizza, follow some baking tips. First, pre-bake the crust for 8-10 minutes. This makes the base crisp and golden.
When adding toppings, bake the pizza at 400°F for 7-10 minutes. This melts the cheese and makes it bubbly. For an extra-crispy crust, broil it for a minute or two, watching it closely to avoid burning.
Achieving the Perfect Crisp
A crisp, golden crust is essential for a tasty buffalo chicken pizza. To avoid a soggy crust, pre-bake the dough for 8-10 minutes. This step helps the crust set and prevents it from getting soggy with the toppings.
Baking the pizza at 400°F and finishing with a broil can also crisp the crust perfectly.
Baking Time and Temperature
The best baking time and temperature for buffalo chicken pizza depend on the crust and oven. Pre-bake the crust for 8-10 minutes at 400°F. Then, add toppings and bake for 7-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For a crisper crust, broil it for 1-2 minutes, watching it closely to prevent burning. Baking at a high temperature ensures the crust crisps up while the toppings get hot and melty.
Broiling for Extra Flavor
Broiling the buffalo chicken pizza for 1-2 minutes adds extra flavor and crispness. This high heat caramelizes the cheese and sauce, creating a delicious char. Keep an eye on the pizza while broiling, as it can burn quickly.
Broiling for just 1-2 minutes at the end gives you a crispy crust and bubbly, golden cheese topping.
Variations and Twists
The classic buffalo chicken pizza is loved by many, but you can make it your own. Try new sauce bases or add unique toppings. There’s no limit to how you can customize your pizza.
Maybe you want to use garlic Parmesan or barbecue sauce instead of buffalo sauce. Or, mix cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for a different taste. Adding bacon, pineapple, or ranch dressing can also make your pizza special.
Buffalo chicken pizza is all about being creative. You can make it just how you like it. Whether you like it spicy or sweet, there are endless ways to make it yours.
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Garlic Parmesan Base | Swap the traditional buffalo sauce for a creamy garlic Parmesan base, creating a rich and savory flavor profile. |
| BBQ Chicken Pizza | Use a tangy barbecue sauce as the base, then top with shredded buffalo chicken, caramelized onions, and a blend of cheeses. |
| Deluxe French Bread Pizza | Utilize a French bread loaf as the crust, top with buffalo chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a variety of cheeses for a heartier, open-faced pizza experience. |
Creating the perfect buffalo chicken pizza is all about being creative. Try different sauces, cheeses, and toppings. See what you like best.
Side Dishes
Buffalo chicken pizza has bold, spicy flavors. It needs side dishes that balance the heat. Refreshing salads and crispy roasted vegetables are great choices.
A fresh green salad is a classic choice. Its cool, crunchy texture and tangy dressing contrast nicely with the spicy pizza. Adding sliced celery and carrots can enhance the flavor.
Creamy coleslaw is another favorite. It cools the palate after spicy pizza bites. Mixing shredded buffalo chicken into the coleslaw adds extra flavor.
Baked potato wedges or garlic bread are great for a heartier side. They balance the pizza’s richness with their savory taste.
Choosing sides that contrast in texture and temperature is key. These side dishes for buffalo chicken pizza make for a satisfying pizza pairings experience.
| Side Dish | Ingredients | Preparation | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Salad | 5 cups bibb lettuce, 1 red bell pepper, 6 medium carrots | Toss with olive oil and lemon juice dressing | 15 minutes |
| Coleslaw | 4 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar | Mix ingredients and refrigerate until serving | 20 minutes |
| Baked Potato Wedges | 4 medium russet potatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder | Cut potatoes, toss with oil and seasonings, bake at 400°F | 30 minutes |
| Garlic Bread | 1 loaf French bread, 4 tbsp butter, 2 garlic cloves | Melt butter with minced garlic, brush on bread, broil until golden | 15 minutes |
Leftover Ideas
If you have leftover buffalo chicken pizza, there are many ways to use it again. You can reheat slices in the oven or air fryer for a fast snack. Or, cut the pizza into small pieces for an appetizer or salad topping.
The shredded buffalo chicken can also be used in different dishes. Try it in wraps, sandwiches, salads, or pasta. It’s a versatile ingredient.
For a filling meal, mix the buffalo chicken with rice or quinoa. Add roasted veggies and fresh herbs on top. You can also make stuffed peppers, burritos, or a Buffalo chicken dip. These are just a few ideas for using buffalo chicken pizza leftovers and repurposing pizza for recipe ideas.
Being creative with your using buffalo chicken pizza leftovers lets you enjoy the pizza’s flavors again. Whether you need a quick snack or a bigger meal, these ideas will help you use up your leftovers.