Buffalo Chicken Pizza with Blue Cheese and Banana Peppers Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Pizza is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tangy buffalo chicken, melty mozzarella cheese, blue cheese or ranch dressing, and zesty toppings like banana peppers and red onions. The crust is brushed with a garlic butter Parmesan blend for an extra layer of savory goodness, resulting in a perfect spicy and cheesy pizza experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (serves 3-4)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Mixture
- 1 ½ cups shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce, plus more to drizzle on top
- 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing (from ¼ cup divided)
Pizza Base and Toppings
- 1 lb. pizza dough, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- ¼ cup blue cheese dressing, divided (can substitute ranch dressing)
- ¼ cup red onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup banana pepper rings, patted dry
Garlic Butter Parmesan Crust
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish
- Chives or green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450° F. Place a pizza stone inside the oven during preheating if available, to ensure even cooking and a crispier crust.
- Prepare Buffalo Chicken: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon of blue cheese dressing. Let this marinate while preparing the other ingredients to allow flavors to meld.
- Shape Dough: Spread the pizza dough onto a lightly greased 12-inch pizza pan or preheated pizza stone. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Add Base and Toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle most of the mozzarella cheese on top. Layer the buffalo chicken, sliced red onions, and banana pepper rings over the cheese. Finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Drizzle Dressings: Drizzle 3 tablespoons of blue cheese dressing and 1-2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce over the assembled toppings for an extra burst of flavor.
- Initial Bake: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 13 minutes. Then remove it from the oven.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Crust: Mix the melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush this mixture generously over the crust edges of the pizza.
- Finish Baking: Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the crust edges are browned and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza and garnish with chopped chives or green onions, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley. Slice and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra buffalo sauce to taste before baking.
- Use ranch dressing instead of blue cheese if preferred for a milder flavor.
- Allowing the chicken to marinate in buffalo sauce and dressing enhances the flavor infusion.
- Let the dough come to room temperature before stretching for easier handling.
- Using a pizza stone ensures a crispier crust but is optional; a pizza pan works well too.
- Pat banana peppers dry to avoid sogginess on the pizza.
