My Hubby's Favorite Pizza: Buffalo Chicken

Your hubby is sure to howl when he sees you've made his favorite pizza—Buffalo chicken! This spicy pie is loaded with chicken, hot sauce and a creamy blue cheese dressing. Make this pizza and your man will be in flavor heaven.

To start, you'll need:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1/2 cup Frank's RedHot sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

• 1 (12-inch) pre-baked pizza crust

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• sliced celery (optional garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the chicken in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, mayonnaise and blue cheese. Pour over the chicken and toss to coat.

3. Spread the chicken on the pizza crust, leaving the outer 1/2-inch border clear. Top with the mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Allow to cool slightly, then slice and serve. Garnish with celery sticks if desired. Your hubby is sure to give an approving howl when he takes his first bite of spicy, tangy Buffalo chicken pizza!

This pizza has it all - hot, creamy and cheesy. The blue cheese dressing provides a cool contrast to the spicy chicken and hot sauce. And the celery sticks add a refreshing crunch. Your hubby won't be able to get enough of this bold-flavored pie. Surprise your sweetie with his new favorite pizza tonight!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Ingredients: Franks and Blue Cheese Make It Zing

To make this spicy and creamy buffalo chicken pizza, you’ll need just a few ingredients to pack a flavor punch.

• 1 pound ground chicken or chicken tenders

• 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce

• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup sliced scallions or chives

• Ranch dressing (optional for drizzling)

The Heat Is On

Frank’s RedHot sauce gives this pizza its signature spicy and tangy buffalo flavor. Use the original cayenne pepper sauce for an authentic kick or the milder garlic flavor if you prefer less heat. Add the hot sauce to the cooked and shredded or chopped chicken and toss to coat. The chicken will soak up the spicy and vinegar-y flavors as it sits.

Blue Cheese Brings the Creamy

The blue cheese is essential for balancing out the spiciness with its salty and creamy flavor. Crumble the blue cheese over the pizza or mix it right into the buffalo chicken topping before adding to the pizza. Either way, the warm blue cheese will melt into the other cheeses and create little pockets of flavor in each bite.

Fresh Finishing Touches

Top your buffalo chicken pizza with shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced scallions and an optional drizzle of cool ranch dressing. The mozzarella helps bind all the ingredients together as it melts, while the scallions and ranch dressing add freshness, color and cooling contrast to the spicy components.

With a combination of spicy and cooling ingredients like these, your hubby will surely be howling for more of this zesty buffalo chicken pizza. Adjust the amounts to your desired heat level for a pie you’ll both enjoy. Leftovers, if there are any, also make a great next-day snack!

Preparing the Buffalo Chicken Pizza Dough and Sauce

To make this spicy pizza, you’ll first need to prepare the dough and sauce. For the dough, combine warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add in olive oil and flour and stir to form a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour.

For the buffalo chicken sauce, sauté diced chicken breast with some olive oil and garlic. Once the chicken is cooked through, add in Frank’s RedHot sauce - go light at first, you can always add more heat. Simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat. Add in creamy ingredients like ranch dressing, blue cheese or greek yogurt to balance the heat and achieve your desired spiciness. You can also add extra flavors to the sauce like parsley, basil, oregano or celery.

When the dough has risen, punch it down and knead briefly. Roll out into a circle on a floured surface to 1⁄4 inch thickness. Place on a baking sheet or pizza pan and spread with the buffalo chicken sauce, leaving the outer 1-inch rim sauce-free.

Top your pizza with lots of mozzarella cheese to stand up to the bold flavors. You can also add other toppings like bell peppers, red onion, chopped celery leaves or crumbled bacon. Fold the outer rim of dough over the filling to create a crust edge. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 F. Once risen, uncover the pizza and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Allow to cool slightly, then slice and enjoy your spicy buffalo chicken pizza! The creamy elements in the sauce help balance the kick from the hot sauce so you get flavor and heat in each bite. Your hubby and any other spice fans are sure to howl over this pizza.

Baking the Best Buffalo Chicken Pizza

To make a buffalo chicken pizza your hubby will howl for, start with a homemade pizza crust. Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle and place on a baking sheet or pizza pan.

Preheat your oven to 450°F. This high heat will give you a crispy crust.

Make the Buffalo Chicken:

Combine 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces, with 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the spicy and tangy buffalo flavor.

• You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. Thighs tend to stay more juicy when baking.

• For extra buffalo heat, use a sauce with a higher Scoville rating. But be careful, some are fiery hot!

• Blue cheese pairs perfectly with buffalo chicken. Consider adding crumbles on top.

Add Cheese and Toppings:

Spread 1/2 cup pizza or tomato sauce over the dough, leaving the outer 1/2-inch bare. Top with 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Other cheese options include provolone, Monterey Jack or gouda.

• For extra flavor, sprinkle on diced onions, bell peppers and celery.

Distribute the marinated chicken pieces evenly over the cheese. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the remaining buffalo sauce over the chicken.

Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve with extra buffalo sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. Your hubby and any other spicy food fans will surely howl with delight over this pizza!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Once you've enjoyed your delicious buffalo chicken pizza, chances are you'll have leftovers to savor for days to come. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure your leftovers stay safe and tasty:

Store your leftover pizza in an airtight container or ziplock bag. This will keep air out and prevent the crust from getting soggy. Place the container on a plate to catch any grease that may seep out. Leftover pizza will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator. For best quality, enjoy your leftover pizza within 2-3 days.

When you're ready to reheat, there are a couple good options:

• Oven: Place your pizza on a foil-lined baking sheet and reheat in a preheated 350 F oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes. The foil will help the crust stay crispy.

• Stovetop: Place your pizza in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook, shaking the skillet occasionally, until the cheese is melted and the crust is warm, about 5-8 minutes.

• Microwave: Place your pizza on a microwave-safe plate and microwave in 30 second bursts, flipping halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the crust is warm. Microwaving can make the crust soggy, so the oven or stovetop methods are preferable.

Be very careful removing your reheated pizza from the oven, skillet or microwave as the plate and grease will be extremely hot! Allow your pizza to stand for a minute before digging in. The cheese and toppings will be boiling hot, so you risk burns if you dive right in.

When reheating, make sure the pizza reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 F to ensure it's safe to eat. And remember, only reheat leftovers once - do not keep reheating pizza over multiple days. Enjoy your buffalo chicken pizza again!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

Can I use a different hot sauce instead of buffalo hot sauce?

Absolutely! The buffalo chicken pizza recipe is very versatile. You can use your favorite hot sauce instead of the traditional Frank’s RedHot buffalo sauce. Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a homemade habanero hot sauce would all work great. The key is to add the hot sauce to taste, starting with a little and adding more as needed. You want the heat to complement the other flavors, not overwhelm them.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken to save time?

Yes, using pre-cooked chicken like grilled chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, or leftover cooked chicken is a great time-saving shortcut. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the pizza in the last few minutes of baking so it can heat through. This works for regular pizza or for making buffalo chicken pizza calzones.

What kind of cheese should I use?

For the classic buffalo chicken pizza flavor, use shredded mozzarella cheese. Monterey jack, provolone, or a blend of cheeses also work great. Use whatever cheese you like on your regular pizza. For extra decadence, add some crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese. Top the pizza generously with cheese so it gets all melty and bubbly while baking.

Can I add other toppings?

Buffalo chicken pizza pairs well with many classic pizza toppings. Some great additions include:

• Celery: Finely chop celery stalks and leaves to add a fresh, crunchy topping.

• Ranch dressing: Drizzle or dollop your favorite ranch dressing over the top for extra flavor.

• Bacon: Chopped or crumbled bacon is always a welcome addition.

• Onions: Diced red or green onions provide spice and color.

• Jalapeños: Minced jalapeños will boost the heat for spice lovers.

Add your favorite toppings and make this buffalo chicken pizza your own! Your hubby is sure to howl in delight.

Recipe Notes:

When making this delicious buffalo chicken pizza, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.

First things first, use chicken breast tenders or chicken breast strips for easy shredding. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will also work great and add more flavor. Cook the chicken by baking, grilling, or poaching until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred with two forks.

For extra zing, use Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce or your favorite spicy buffalo wing sauce. Add as much or as little as you like, depending on how spicy you want the pizza. You can also serve extra sauce on the side for drizzling.

Blue cheese dressing is a must for topping this pizza. Either make your own or use your favorite bottled brand. Ranch dressing also pairs well if you prefer.

To cut the heat, add diced celery, carrots and bell peppers. The veggies will add texture, flavor and help balance the spice. You can sauté the veggies first before adding to the pizza or add them raw.

For the cheese, use a blend of mozzarella and provolone or gouda. The stronger cheeses stand up well to the bold flavors. You can also add shredded or crumbled blue cheese directly to the pizza.

Consider adding bacon or diced ham to make it a meat lover’s pizza. Crumbled bacon, in particular, is always a welcome addition.

Brush the pizza crust with buffalo wing sauce or garlic butter before adding the toppings for extra flavor. You can also sprinkle everything bagel seasoning or ranch seasoning on top for a savory finish.

Bake the pizza in a very hot 450 F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy! Your hubby and the whole family will come howling for more of this spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken pizza.

Nutrition

This Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe is loaded with flavor, but it’s also packed with nutrients to fuel your body. Chicken provides lean protein to keep you feeling full, and the buffalo hot sauce gives it a kick of capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their spicy heat. Capsaicin may help boost your metabolism and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

• Protein. A single slice of this pizza contains 15-20 grams of protein from the chicken, cheese and crust. Protein helps build and repair muscle, bone, cartilage, blood, and skin.

• Calcium. Melted cheese contains lots of calcium, which is essential for bone health, muscle contractions, and heart health. Aim for 3 servings of dairy per day to meet your calcium needs.

• Antioxidants. Tomatoes, spinach and hot peppers provide antioxidants like lycopene, vitamin C and carotenoids. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage and may lower the risk of some diseases.

• Fiber. The whole wheat crust and any veggies you add, like spinach and bell peppers, provide fiber which aids digestion and helps keep you feeling full. Most adults need 25-30 grams of fiber per day.

While this pizza is highly nutritious, it’s still easy to overeat. Keep portions in check by enjoying one or two slices, and balance it out with a side salad. The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats will satisfy you so you can avoid going back for more.

This recipe makes a great occasional treat, but for the healthiest diet, focus on lean proteins, lots of veggies, whole grains, and limit highly processed foods and excess sodium. Using healthy, natural ingredients when cooking at home is one of the best ways to improve your nutrition and support your health and well-being. Your hubby and your body will thank you!

Conclusion

So there you have it, a new take on pizza that will have your hubby howling for more! Once he takes a bite of that creamy cheese, spicy buffalo chicken, and crispy crust combo, this will surely become one of his fave dinners. It's a cinch to throw together too. Just bake up the dough, top it off with the already cooked chicken and a few simple ingredients, then bake until bubbly. You'll be his MVP when he sees this mouthwatering creation coming out of the oven. Give this fun fusion a whirl next time it's your turn to provide the eats. Your main squeeze will be left wanting seconds and you'll score major sweetheart points.