Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

This might be the most satisfying way to enjoy game day or a casual night in: a spicy, tangy, cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe that's surprisingly easy to whip up. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back for more.

The image shows a pizza sliced into six pieces on a white marbled surface with a layer of white parchment paper underneath. The pizza has a golden crust around the edges. The first layer is a reddish-brown sauce spread evenly on the dough, followed by an orange and white layer of melted cheese covering the top. There are shredded pieces of orange chicken scattered across each slice with some yellow bell pepper slices and small bits of green onion sprinkled over the cheese. Thin slices of purple onion are also mixed in with the toppings. The texture looks soft and cheesy with some slightly browned edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Buffalo chicken on pizza might sound unconventional, but the combination of spicy buffalo sauce with melty mozzarella and a crispy crust is a total game-changer. I love sharing this recipe because it’s fun, flavorful, and perfect for easy entertaining or family dinners.

Bold Flavors: The mix of tangy buffalo sauce, creamy blue cheese, and mozzarella gives every bite a punch without overwhelming your taste buds.
Quick and Simple: You don’t need to be a kitchen pro to get this pizza deliciously right in about 30 minutes.
Customizable: You can tweak the heat level or swap out toppings to make it just how you like it.
Perfect Crispy Crust: Brushing the crust with garlic butter and Parmesan adds a golden, flavorful edge every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe plays a distinct role—spicy sauce, creamy cheeses, and crisp veggies come together in harmony. Here’s what makes the magic happen:

Flat lay of a small mound of shredded cooked chicken, a small white bowl of bright orange buffalo sauce, a small white bowl of creamy blue cheese dressing, a round ball of smooth, pale pizza dough, a small white bowl of rich red pizza sauce, a neat pile of shredded mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced vivid purple red onions, a small pile of yellow banana pepper rings, a small white bowl holding melted golden butter, a tiny heap of finely grated pale Parmesan cheese, a small pinch of pale off-white garlic powder, a few fresh green chives, a small mound of deep red crushed red pepper flakes, and a few sprigs of fresh green parsley placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shredded chicken: Tender and easy to mix with buffalo sauce, it’s the star protein that carries the flavor.
Buffalo sauce: Adds that iconic zesty heat; I personally swear by Franks for the perfect balance.
Blue cheese dressing: Creamy with a punch—Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese is my go-to, but ranch works if blue cheese isn’t your thing.
Pizza dough: Whether homemade or store-bought, having it at room temperature helps it stretch without tearing.
Pizza sauce: Adds a subtle savory base that balances the spice.
Mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella melts beautifully—fresh mozzarella is too wet for this recipe.
Red onions: Thinly sliced for a mild crunch that contrasts nicely against the rich cheese and sauce.
Banana pepper rings: Give a tangy, slightly sweet zip that cuts through the heat.
Melted butter, Parmesan, garlic powder: This trio is brushed onto the crust for a buttery, flavorful golden edge.
Garnishes (chives, red pepper flakes, parsley): They finish the pizza off with freshness, extra kick, and color.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe my own by playing with the toppings and heat level—you should absolutely customize it to fit your mood or dietary needs.

Variation: Sometimes I swap blue cheese dressing for ranch when friends prefer a milder taste, and it’s just as delicious.
Heat level: If you like spicy, add an extra drizzle of buffalo sauce or sprinkle some cayenne; if not, tone it down with more cheese and a gentler sauce.
Veggie boost: Toss on some sliced bell peppers or celery for extra crunch and freshness.
Crust twist: Try using a whole wheat or cauliflower crust if you’re looking to change things up or add nutrition.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

A close-up of a thick crust pizza with a golden-brown edge, topped with orange shredded chicken, diced red tomatoes, thin slices of red onion, chopped green onions, and melted cheese in light yellow shades. White creamy sauce is drizzled on top, with a woman's hand lifting one slice, showing the soft and thick pizza base. The pizza rests on brown parchment paper with small bowls of green chopped herbs and white sauce blurred in the background on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Chicken

First things first: preheat your oven to 450° F. If you have a pizza stone, pop it in now—it helps crisp up the crust perfectly. While it heats, combine your shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing so the flavors get to know each other. I like to let this marinate while setting up the rest.

Step 2: Shape the Dough and Add Sauce

Stretch or roll out the pizza dough onto a greased 12-inch pan or your preheated stone. Don’t forget to poke a few holes with a fork—that prevents those annoying air bubbles in the crust. Spread a thin layer of your pizza sauce evenly on the dough; this anchors all the tasty toppings coming next.

Step 3: Load on Cheese and Toppings

Sprinkle most of your shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then scatter the buffalo chicken mixture, red onions, and banana peppers evenly. Finish with the remaining mozzarella—you want that gooey, melty blanket to seal in the toppings.

Step 4: Blue Cheese and Bake

Drizzle 3 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing and 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra buffalo sauce over the pizza for those signature bold notes. Bake for 13 minutes until the cheese bubbles and the crust looks golden.

Step 5: Garlic Butter Crust Finish

Mix melted butter with Parmesan and garlic powder. Brush this flavorful blend around the crust edges and pop the pizza back in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until the crust edges become beautifully browned and irresistible.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley on top for that last burst of color and flavor. Slice it up and enjoy every spicy, cheesy bite!

Top Tip

From countless pizzas made (and a few burned ones learned from), here are the tips that will make your Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe turn out perfect every time.

Use Low-Moisture Mozzarella: This cheese melts beautifully without releasing excess water that can sog your crust.
Marinate the Chicken: Letting the chicken soak in buffalo sauce and blue cheese before spreading maximizes flavor depth.
Brush the Crust Last: Applying garlic butter right before the final few minutes in the oven ensures it crisps up without burning.
Don’t Skip Poking Holes: Prevent those annoying dough bubbles by puncturing the crust lightly with a fork before adding sauce.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

A round pizza dough is placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface, with a thick edge forming its crust. The base layer is a thin white sauce spread evenly over the dough. On top, there is a layer of shredded cooked chicken in a light orange color spaced evenly, covered by a generous layer of shredded light yellow cheese. To the side, there is a beige bowl with shredded chicken mixed in sauce and a fork inside, a small white dish with finely chopped green herbs, and a small white dish with blue cheese chunks. A blue towel with red and black stitching lies nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh green onions—they add a subtle sharpness that brightens every slice. Red pepper flakes are a must for an extra kick, and a sprinkle of parsley gives the whole pizza a fresh, vibrant finish. These simple touches make a big difference.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe are crunchy celery sticks and carrot sticks—classic buffalo game day vibes. Sometimes, I serve a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the heat and richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve made mini versions using biscuit dough to create adorable buffalo chicken sliders in pizza form. Serve with small ramekins of ranch or blue cheese for dipping to impress your guests. It’s a conversation starter every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the fridge. It stays tasty for up to 3 days, but honestly, it rarely lasts that long around my house.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, slice the pizza, wrap each piece individually with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze in a zip-top bag. When thawed, it reheats nicely in the oven or toaster oven without losing texture.

Reheating

To keep the crust crisp when reheating, I pop slices under the broiler for a couple of minutes or heat them on a pizza stone or cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Microwaving tends to soften the crust too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe without store-bought dough?

Absolutely! I’ve often made this with my homemade pizza dough recipe, and it works beautifully. Just let it rest and come to room temperature before stretching to avoid tearing.

What can I substitute if I don’t like blue cheese?

No worries! Ranch dressing is a great alternative that still adds creaminess without the pungent bite of blue cheese. You can even mix ranch with a little mayo and garlic powder for a tasty twist.

Can I adjust the spiciness of the pizza?

Definitely! Simply adjust how much buffalo sauce you add to the chicken and as a drizzle on top. For less heat, pick a mild buffalo sauce or add more cheese and other cooling toppings like extra banana peppers or even pineapple chunks for sweetness.

Is there a vegan version of this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe?

While this specific recipe uses chicken and cheese, you can definitely create a vegan version by swapping shredded jackfruit or tofu for chicken, using vegan buffalo sauce, and choosing dairy-free cheese. It’s a delicious alternative that still captures that spicy, tangy flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe feels like a little celebration every time I make it. The flavors are bold but balanced, and it’s one of those dishes that brings people together—whether for a casual night with the family or a friendly get-together. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough. Once you nail this, it just might become your go-to pizza fix!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way