Buffalo Chicken Pizza: What Goes On It For Maximum Flavor Explosion?

Are you tired of the same ol’ boring pizza? Looking to spice up your pizza night with something that’ll make your taste buds dance? Well, get ready to drool because we’re diving deep into the world of buffalo chicken pizza – that spicy tangy, cheesy slice of heaven that’s taking over pizza menus everywhere!

I’ve been obsessing over buffalo chicken pizza for years, and let me tell you, it’s not just about slapping some hot sauce on a regular pizza. There’s an art to crafting the perfect buffalo chicken masterpiece. So what exactly goes on a buffalo chicken pizza that makes it so dang irresistible? Let’s break it down!

The Essential Buffalo Chicken Pizza Components

Before we jump into all the delicious variations let’s talk about the core ingredients that make a buffalo chicken pizza what it is

1. The Foundation: Choosing Your Crust

Every great pizza starts with the right foundation. For buffalo chicken pizza, you’ve got options:

• Thin crust: Perfect if you want those spicy flavors to be front and center
• Classic hand-tossed: A good balance of chewiness and sturdiness to hold all those toppings
• Thick crust/Deep dish: Less traditional but provides a substantial base for all that saucy goodness

I personally prefer a hand-tossed crust that’s slightly crispy on the outside but still has some chew. It stands up to the sauciness without getting soggy!

2. The Star of the Show: Buffalo Sauce

This ain’t your grandma’s tomato sauce! Buffalo sauce gives this pizza its signature tangy, spicy kick. You’ve got several approaches here:

• Classic buffalo sauce: Vinegar-based hot sauce mixed with butter (Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice)
• Buffalo ranch blend: Mixing buffalo sauce with ranch for a creamier, slightly milder base
• Drizzle method: Using ranch or blue cheese as the base sauce, then drizzling buffalo sauce on top

Pro tip: Don’t drown your pizza in sauce! Too much will make your crust soggy. A thin, even layer is all you need for that perfect buffalo flavor punch.

3. The Protein: Chicken Preparation Methods

The chicken is arguably the most important element! Here’s how folks typically prepare it:

• Shredded chicken: Often from rotisserie chicken, tossed in buffalo sauce
• Diced chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces, pan-fried or baked
• Grilled chicken: Adds a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the buffalo sauce
• Pre-cooked chicken strips: Convenient time-saver like Tyson Grilled and Ready strips

Whatever method you choose, make sure your chicken is well-coated in buffalo sauce before adding it to your pizza. Bland chicken = sad pizza. Nobody wants a sad pizza!

4. The Cheesy Goodness

Cheese is essential for balancing out that spicy buffalo heat. Here are your best options:

• Mozzarella: The classic pizza cheese that melts beautifully
• Blue cheese crumbles: Adds that authentic buffalo wing experience
• Monterey Jack: Offers a mild flavor that melts well
• Provolone: Slightly sharper than mozzarella with excellent melting properties

Many buffalo chicken pizza lovers opt for a mozzarella base with blue cheese crumbles scattered on top – giving you the best of both worlds!

Toppings That Take Buffalo Chicken Pizza to the Next Level

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about the toppings that can elevate your buffalo chicken pizza from good to OMG-I-NEED-ANOTHER-SLICE amazing:

Onion Variations

Onions add a perfect punch of flavor to cut through the richness:

• Red onions: Adds sharpness and a pretty purple color
• Green onions/scallions: Milder flavor and great for garnishing
• White onions: Stronger flavor if you’re an onion lover

Heat-Bringing Elements

If you’re like me and believe “the spicier the better,” consider these heat-bringing toppings:

• Jalapeños: Fresh or pickled for an extra kick
• Banana peppers: Milder heat with a slight sweetness
• Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle on after baking for adjustable heat

Cooling Contrasts

To balance the heat, these toppings add a refreshing element:

• Celery: Traditional buffalo wing companion that adds crunch
• Diced tomatoes: Adds freshness and acidity
• Ranch or blue cheese drizzle: Applied after baking for creamy coolness

Savory Additions

For those who want to take things up another notch:

• Bacon: Because bacon makes EVERYTHING better
• Garlic: Roasted or fresh minced
• Mushrooms: Adds earthy flavor and meaty texture

Building Your Perfect Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Step-by-Step

Ready to create your own buffalo chicken pizza masterpiece? Here’s my tried-and-true method:

1. Prepare your crust: Whether homemade or store-bought, pre-bake it for about 5 minutes at 425°F to prevent sogginess

2. Mix your sauce: Combine ranch dressing with a tablespoon of buffalo sauce for the base

3. Prepare your chicken: Toss partially thawed chicken pieces in about 1/4 cup buffalo sauce

4. Assemble your pizza:

   • Spread your sauce base evenly over the par-baked crust
   • Add your buffalo-coated chicken pieces
   • Sprinkle green onions (save some for garnish)
   • Cover generously with mozzarella cheese
   • Add any additional toppings (jalapeños, bacon, etc.)

5. Bake to perfection: About 15 minutes at 425°F or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown

6. Finish with flair: Once out of the oven, drizzle with additional buffalo sauce, sprinkle with remaining green onions, and add a ranch or blue cheese drizzle if desired

Buffalo Chicken Pizza FAQs

Still got questions? I’ve got answers!

Is buffalo chicken pizza always spicy?

Nope! The beauty of making your own is controlling the heat level. Use mild buffalo sauce and skip the jalapeños if you prefer things on the milder side. You can even do half spicy/half mild if you’re serving folks with different heat preferences.

What’s better – ranch or blue cheese with buffalo chicken pizza?

This is the great debate! Honestly, it comes down to personal preference. Ranch tends to be more universally liked with its creamy, herb-forward flavor. Blue cheese has that distinctive pungent taste that pairs amazingly with buffalo sauce, but some folks find it too strong. My solution? Use both! A ranch base with blue cheese crumbles gives you the best of both worlds.

Can I make buffalo chicken pizza ahead of time?

You sure can! You have a couple options:

• Prepare all components separately and assemble/bake when ready to eat
• Fully bake the pizza, let it cool, then refrigerate (best eaten within 2-3 days)
• Freeze the baked pizza for longer storage (up to 2 months)

Just note that the texture might change slightly upon reheating, but it’ll still be delicious!

What’s the best way to reheat leftover buffalo chicken pizza?

For the best texture, reheat in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch but will give you a softer crust. A pizza stone or cast iron pan on the stovetop can also work wonders for crisping up the bottom!

Creative Buffalo Chicken Pizza Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basics, why not get creative? Here are some fun variations to try:

Buffalo Chicken Ranch Pizza

• Use ranch as the base sauce
• Mix your buffalo sauce directly with the chicken
• Top with a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar
• Finish with a buffalo sauce drizzle

Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Explosion

• Use blue cheese dressing as the base
• Add extra blue cheese crumbles on top
• Include diced celery for the authentic wing experience
• Finish with a honey drizzle to balance the tangy blue cheese

BBQ Buffalo Fusion

• Mix buffalo sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce
• Use a mix of chicken and crispy bacon
• Add caramelized onions for sweetness
• Top with a mixture of mozzarella and smoked gouda

Final Thoughts

Buffalo chicken pizza is truly a customizable delight that lets you bring the wing experience to pizza night. The combination of spicy, tangy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, melty cheese, and your choice of toppings creates a flavor explosion that’s hard to beat.

Whether you’re making it for game day, a weekend treat, or just because you’re craving something with a kick, buffalo chicken pizza delivers on flavor every single time. The best part? There’s no “wrong way” to make it – as long as you’ve got those core elements of buffalo sauce and chicken, you can customize the rest to your heart’s content!

So what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients and get ready to create your own buffalo chicken pizza masterpiece tonight! Your taste buds will thank you.

What’s your favorite buffalo chicken pizza topping combo? Lemme know in the comments – I’m always looking for new ideas to try on my next pizza night!