Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza Recipe

Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza Recipe

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cooked chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 (2 ounce) bottle hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 (8 ounce) bottle blue cheese salad dressing
  • 1 (16 inch) prepared pizza crust
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425F (220C).
  2. In a bowl, mix the diced chicken, hot sauce, and melted butter until fully combined.
  3. Place the pizza crust onto a rimmed baking sheet or pizza pan.
  4. Spread the blue cheese dressing evenly over the pizza crust.
  5. Top the crust with the chicken mixture, spreading it out evenly.
  6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken mixture.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Once done, let the pizza sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 428
Total Fat 24g (30% DV)
Saturated Fat 7g (37% DV)
Cholesterol 28mg (9% DV)
Sodium 1085mg (47% DV)
Total Carbohydrates 40g (15% DV)
Dietary Fiber 1g (5% DV)
Protein 14g (28% DV)
Vitamin C 4mg (5% DV)
Calcium 176mg (14% DV)
Iron 0mg (1% DV)
Potassium 28mg (1% DV)

Note: Nutritional information is based on available data for the listed ingredients. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your values may be higher or lower depending on your individual calorie needs. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your healthcare provider or dietitian before preparing this recipe.

Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza Recipe

Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza

History of Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza

Buffalo-style chicken pizza is a modern American creation that combines the popular flavors of Buffalo chicken wings with the beloved Italian pizza. The dish originates from Buffalo, New York, home of the iconic Buffalo wing. The combination of spicy hot sauce, buttery chicken, and tangy blue cheese has gained widespread popularity over the past few decades. Although Buffalo wings were invented in the 1960s, the Buffalo-style chicken pizza emerged much later, as people began experimenting with different ways to enjoy the signature Buffalo flavors. Today, it has become a staple on many pizza menus across the United States.

Regional Variations and Unique Touches

While Buffalo-style chicken pizza is widely enjoyed across the U.S., it has slight variations depending on where it's made. In Buffalo, New York, the home of the original Buffalo wings, the pizza often features a generous amount of blue cheese dressing. In contrast, other regions may prefer ranch dressing as the base. Some variations also include a mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese for an extra layer of flavor. The hot sauce can vary in spiciness, and many recipes use Frank's RedHot sauce, a favorite in Buffalo wings, but other hot sauces can be used for different levels of heat.

Differences from Similar Dishes

Buffalo-style chicken pizza stands out from other chicken pizzas by its bold, tangy, and spicy flavor profile. The key difference lies in the sauce: traditional chicken pizzas typically use tomato sauce or white sauce, while Buffalo-style pizza is topped with hot sauce and blue cheese or ranch dressing. The combination of these ingredients mimics the taste of Buffalo chicken wings, making it a unique dish. It also distinguishes itself from other "wing-style" pizzas by the specific use of blue cheese or ranch, which is not a typical topping on other types of pizza.

Where to Enjoy Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza

Buffalo-style chicken pizza can be found at many pizzerias, particularly those that specialize in American-style or fusion pizzas. Its especially common in bars and restaurants that serve Buffalo wings, as it offers a pizza alternative to traditional wings. This pizza is a favorite for game days, parties, and casual gatherings, where it complements a variety of other snack foods. Youll also find it on the menu of chain pizza restaurants, where it has become a go-to choice for those craving something with a little more spice and excitement than a regular pizza.

Fun Facts About Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza

  • The combination of hot sauce and butter in Buffalo chicken pizza is a nod to the sauce used in Buffalo wings, which originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964.
  • Despite its name, the pizza is not traditional Italian fare, but rather a fusion of Italian and American flavors, catering to the American love for bold, spicy foods.
  • Some recipes add celery to the pizza, as its a classic accompaniment to Buffalo wings, balancing the heat and adding a crisp texture.
  • Many people enjoy Buffalo-style chicken pizza with a side of extra hot sauce or a dipping sauce, either ranch or blue cheese, to intensify the flavor experience.
  • This pizza has inspired numerous variations, including vegetarian and vegan options, where the chicken is substituted with plant-based proteins, while still keeping the hot sauce and blue cheese theme intact.

FAQ about Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza Recipe

Leftover Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pizza in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-10 minutes or until the crust is crispy again.

Yes, you can freeze Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza. After baking, let the pizza cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 1 month. To reheat, bake it from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Yes, you can customize the cheese on your Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza. While mozzarella is traditional, you can also use other cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or even a blend of cheeses. Some people enjoy adding blue cheese crumbles on top for extra flavor.

Absolutely! If you prefer a homemade pizza crust, you can make your own dough or use any pizza dough recipe you like. Just be sure to pre-bake the crust for a few minutes before adding the toppings to ensure it cooks evenly.

Yes, you can make a dairy-free version of this pizza. Use a dairy-free pizza crust, non-dairy cheese (such as vegan mozzarella), and substitute the blue cheese dressing with a dairy-free alternative. For the chicken, you can use plant-based chicken or tofu.

Definitely! You can adjust the spice level of the hot sauce to suit your preferences. Use a mild wing sauce if you prefer less heat, or add more hot sauce for an extra spicy kick. You can also mix hot sauce with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a milder taste.

To make the pizza crust more crispy, you can pre-bake the pizza crust for 5-7 minutes before adding the toppings. Additionally, using a pizza stone or a well-heated baking sheet can help achieve a crispier crust. Be sure not to overload the pizza with too many toppings, as this can make it soggy.

In addition to the chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese, you can add various toppings like red onions, celery, tomatoes, mushrooms, or even bacon. Some people also like to top their Buffalo chicken pizza with a drizzle of ranch or extra blue cheese dressing after baking.

Yes, you can make this pizza gluten-free by using a gluten-free pizza crust. Many stores sell gluten-free options, or you can make your own gluten-free dough at home. Be sure to check that your hot sauce and dressing are gluten-free as well.

Yes, you can prepare the Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza ahead of time. You can assemble the pizza, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just bake it when you're ready to serve. If you freeze it, bake from frozen as mentioned earlier.

Comments

Adam Flores

04/29/2024 08:25:40 PM

Great recipe, with my own modifications (I would rate my version 5 stars): 1) I pre-baked the raw crust for 6-10 minutes. 2) Instead of using a whole bottle of dressing, I lightly spread about 1/2 cup of ranch dressing on the crust. 3) I topped the pizza with a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, as well as chopped red onions for added flavor.

Cynthia Hall

09/07/2023 10:00:58 AM

Great variety of flavors! I made some adjustments to suit my palate: I opted for a Naan bread recipe as my pizza crust, which turned out wonderfully light inside and crispy outside due to the yogurt in the dough. I like to par-bake them in batches and freeze for quick and easy pizza nights. Preheating the oven to 550 degrees and using a pizza stone ensures a perfectly cooked crust. For the toppings, I seasoned and sautéed chicken breast in EVOO and margarine with Frank's Hot Sauce, then set it aside. In another pan, I sautéed finely diced celery and onion in a mix of EVOO and margarine until soft. For the sauce, I combined blue cheese dressing (Rooties) with plain nonfat yogurt and added more hot sauce to the chicken mix. When assembling the pizza, I started with a spicy tomato base, mozzarella cheese, the chicken and veggie mix, topped with crumbled feta and the blue cheese mixture. Baked on the stone for 6 minutes, the pizza turned out crispy with a gooey, delicious topping. Next time, I might experiment with using the blue cheese mixture as the base. The use of authentic Buffalo favorites like Frank's Hot Sauce and Rooties Blue Cheese Dressing added a great touch!

Linda Parker

05/03/2024 03:55:00 AM

This meal was amazing! I had some homemade buffalo chicken leftovers that I shredded and spiced up with extra Frank's hot sauce. I topped it off with pre-shredded "pizza cheese" and the real game-changer was using my preheated pizza stone for about an hour. I skipped pre-cooking the crust and instead added ranch dressing on one half and extra blue cheese crumbles on the other half to cater to everyone's tastes in my family.

Susan Carter

03/17/2024 07:14:07 PM

I tried making this recipe with a few modifications and was pleased with the result (though I have to admit, I really like the idea behind this recipe). I decided to pre-bake the crust while I finished preparing the chicken. To save myself some cleanup, I mixed everything together in the skillet. I opted for a milder wing sauce instead of hot sauce, used ranch dressing in place of blue cheese (definitely not the full 8 oz as suggested), and sprinkled cheddar cheese on top. The dish turned out to be absolutely delicious! It's a recipe I will definitely be making again. The only adjustment I'll make next time is to reduce the initial bake time for the crust before adding the toppings. By following the crust instructions to the letter, I ended up with an overly crispy base after pre-baking, topping, and baking again.

Carol Carter

10/01/2022 05:46:00 PM

Quick and simple! This is my kind of easy meal. I usually stick to the original recipe without making changes, but this time I decided to improvise. I used less Blue cheese dressing than the recipe called for, pouring it on the crust until it seemed like the right amount. Instead of following the exact ingredients, I used a small leftover grilled chicken breast, Monterey Jack cheese, and added extra buffalo wing sauce until it looked good. The result was delicious and the pizza vanished in no time. I plan on making this again and might even try wrapping the mixture in Won Ton wraps for an appetizer next time. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

Kelly Lee

11/16/2023 12:48:55 PM

Great experience! I included red onions and mushrooms, and topped it off with some cheddar cheese. My wife absolutely loved it!