Bold Buffalo Chicken Pizza

My friend Sarah accidentally invented this pizza during a Super Bowl party when we ran out of tomato sauce. She grabbed the buffalo sauce from the wings platter and the rest is history. Now it's the most requested recipe at every gathering. The way the spicy chicken mingles with cool ranch creates this perfect balance that makes people immediately reach for another slice.

Last Friday my teenage son had three friends over after football practice. They demolished almost the entire pizza before I could even sit down with my own slice. One of them asked for the recipe because his mom wants to make it for his birthday. Thats when you know a recipe is a keeper.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough: Store-bought works perfectly fine but homemade dough gives you that authentic pizzeria texture we all crave
• Cooked chicken breast: Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store saves time and adds extra flavor to the buffalo sauce coating
• Buffalo wing sauce: Franks RedHot is the classic choice but feel free to experiment with your favorite brand
• Ranch dressing: This creamy layer balances the heat and keeps the crust from getting soggy
• Shredded mozzarella and cheddar: The mozzarella provides the classic cheese pull while cheddar adds sharp flavor
• Red onion: Thin slices add a crisp crunch and slight sweetness that cuts through the spice
• Scallions and cilantro: Fresh garnishes bring brightness and color to the finished pizza

Instructions

Get your oven screaming hot:

Preheat to 475°F and if you have a pizza stone let it heat up too

Roll out the dough:

Flour your surface well and stretch the dough to a 12 inch round

Coat the chicken:

Toss shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until every piece is evenly coated

Spread the ranch base:

Layer ranch dressing over the dough leaving about an inch border for the crust

Add your toppings:

Arrange buffalo chicken over the ranch then cover with mozzarella and cheddar

Bake until golden:

Slide into the oven for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese bubbles and crust browns

Finish and serve:

Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce and ranch then scatter scallions and cilantro on top

Pin it

This pizza has become our Friday night tradition. Theres something so satisfying about pulling that first slice away from the pie and seeing all those colors and textures working together. Even my daughter who claims she hates spicy food asks for seconds every time.

Making It Your Own

Swap blue cheese dressing for ranch if you want a more authentic wing flavor profile. Add sliced jalapeños or banana peppers to dial up the heat even more. Sometimes I throw on crumbled cooked bacon because everything is better with bacon.

Perfect Pairings

A cold crisp lager or IPA stands up beautifully to the spicy buffalo flavors. For a lighter option try an icy glass of celery and apple juice which surprisingly complements the heat. A simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness.

Make Ahead Magic

You can toss the chicken with buffalo sauce up to two days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. The dough can be prepared and frozen for up to a month just thaw it in the fridge overnight before using. Pre slice your onions and store them in a sealed container to save time on pizza night.

• Keep extra buffalo sauce at the table for dipping crusts
• Cool any leftovers completely before refrigerating in an airtight container
• Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes not the microwave to maintain crispiness

Pin it

Hope this spicy creation becomes as beloved in your house as it is in mine. Every slice is like a little celebration of flavor.

Recipe Q&A

→ How spicy is this buffalo chicken pizza?

The spice level depends on your buffalo sauce choice. Standard wing sauce delivers moderate heat that's balanced by creamy ranch. For more kick, choose a hotter sauce variety.

→ Can I use leftover chicken for this pizza?

Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled breast works perfectly. Simply shred and toss with buffalo sauce before topping your pizza.

→ What's the best way to get a crispy crust?

Preheat your oven to 475°F and use a pizza stone if available. For extra crunch, prebake the crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.

→ Can I make this pizza gluten-free?

Yes. Use a gluten-free pizza dough and ensure your buffalo sauce and ranch dressing are certified gluten-free. Check all labels carefully.

→ How long does this pizza keep in the refrigerator?

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for best results, avoiding the microwave which can make the crust soggy.

→ Can I substitute blue cheese for ranch?

Certainly. Blue cheese dressing creates a classic buffalo wing flavor combination that many traditionalists prefer over ranch dressing.