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Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe

This buffalo chicken flatbread pizza is a zippy, crowd-pleasing mashup of spicy buffalo wings and cheesy pizza — ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day snacks. Crisp-edged flatbreads act as the ideal canvas for tangy buffalo chicken, melty mozzarella, and optional blue cheese for that classic flavor combo. If you like spicy comfort food that’s easy to assemble, this will become a go-to recipe; for a vegetarian take, consider a roasted cauliflower alternative like this air-fryer buffalo cauliflower recipe which captures the same bold flavors.

Why make this recipe
If you’re tired of the same old pizza or wing night, this recipe is perfect because it turns familiar flavors into a faster, less-messy, and highly customizable meal. You get the punch of buffalo sauce and coolness of ranch or blue cheese dressing without crowded plates of wings, and it scales easily for one or a crowd.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza

What you’ll need (Ingredients)

2 flatbreads (naan or store-bought flatbread)
1 cup cooked shredded chicken
1/3 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
1/4 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
Ranch or blue cheese dressing (for drizzling)
Extra buffalo sauce (for drizzling)

Notes on ingredients and substitutions:

Flatbreads: Naan adds a pillowy texture; thin store-bought flatbreads give a crispier crust. Both work well — choose based on how chewy vs. crisp you like your crust.
Chicken: Use leftover roast chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach breasts and shred them. For convenience, canned chicken works, but drain thoroughly.
Buffalo sauce: Frank’s RedHot is classic, but any buffalo-style wing sauce will do. Mix with a little melted butter if you want a richer coating.
Cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully; blue cheese is optional but provides authentic buffalo wing flavor. For a milder approach, omit the blue cheese and add a sprinkle of cheddar.

Directions

Prepare Buffalo Chicken: In a bowl, combine the 1 cup shredded cooked chicken with 1/3 cup buffalo sauce, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated. Set aside.
Preheat Oven & Prepare Flatbreads: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the 2 flatbreads on a baking sheet.
Assemble Pizzas: Sprinkle a light layer of mozzarella cheese on each flatbread. Evenly distribute the buffalo chicken mixture over the cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the crumbled blue cheese (if using).
Bake Flatbreads: Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the flatbread edges are golden brown.
Add Finishing Touches & Serve: Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with sliced red onion and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Slice and drizzle generously with ranch or blue cheese dressing and extra buffalo sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

A few assembly tips to follow these directions with confidence:

Don’t overload the flatbread with heavy toppings — too much chicken or sauce can make the crust soggy. A light, even layer yields the best crisp.
If you like an extra-crispy bottom, slide the flatbreads onto a preheated pizza stone or use the oven’s convection setting (if available) for a few extra minutes.

Best Way to Store Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Refrigerate: Store leftover flatbread pizza in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap; keep in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days at 40°F (4°C).
Freeze: For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container; freeze for up to 2 months at 0°F (-18°C).
Reheat: To reheat from refrigerated, warm in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 7–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and edges are crisp. From frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat as above.

Serving Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Classic pairings: Serve with a side of celery sticks and carrot sticks for the authentic wing-night experience, and provide extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Salad pairing: A crisp green salad with cooling ingredients (cucumber, romaine, and a lemon vinaigrette) balances the heat and richness of the pizza.
Beverage match: For adults, a cold lager or IPA complements the spicy buffalo sauce; non-alcoholic options like iced tea or sparkling lemonade are refreshing choices.

Tips to make Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza (Q&A style)
Q: How do I keep the flatbread from getting soggy?
A: Brush a light coating of olive oil on the flatbread before adding cheese and toppings to create a moisture barrier. Use a moderate amount of sauce and distribute toppings evenly.

Q: Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
A: Yes. Shred and toss the chicken in buffalo sauce up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve.

Q: What oven tricks yield the crispiest crust?
A: Bake on a preheated pizza stone or inverted baking sheet. If your oven has a broiler, use it for the final 1–2 minutes to blister the cheese slightly, watching closely to avoid burning.

Variation (if any)

Vegetarian swap: Replace shredded chicken with roasted buffalo cauliflower florets for a plant-based version that still delivers the spicy flavor profile. Roast cauliflower until tender, toss in buffalo sauce, then use as the main topping.
Double-sauce option: For extra richness, mix a tablespoon of melted butter into the buffalo sauce before tossing with chicken, achieving a silkier coating reminiscent of traditional wing sauce.

FAQs
Q: Can I make these on a grill?
A: Yes — grill over medium heat directly on the grates or on a pizza stone. Grill the flatbread 2–3 minutes per side before adding toppings, then close the lid and cook until cheese melts.

Q: How spicy will this be?
A: The heat depends on your buffalo sauce. Start with 1/3 cup and taste a bit; mix in more if you want extra heat. Serve cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing to temper the spice.

Q: Can this be made ahead for a party?
A: You can prepare the buffalo chicken and shred the cheese ahead of time, but assemble and bake shortly before serving to keep the crust crisp.

What about leftovers?

Leftover slices are great cold or reheated. For a near-fresh texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a lid for a few minutes, or use the oven as described in storage tips.

Q: Is blue cheese necessary?
A: No — it’s optional. Blue cheese gives a classic buffalo wing tang, but ranch or extra mozzarella are fine substitutes.

Additional cooking notes and troubleshooting:

If the flatbread edge browns too quickly, lower the oven temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and lengthen the bake time slightly.
If your flatbread is uneven, rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to ensure even browning.

Kitchen workflow and timing suggestions

Prep while oven preheats: Toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce as the oven warms up, slice red onion, and shred cheese — this makes assembly quick.
Multitasking: If serving a salad or sides, use the 10–15 minutes the pizzas bake to prepare dressings and chop garnishes so everything comes together hot and fresh.

Make-ahead and meal-prep ideas

Meal prep friendly: Make a batch of buffalo chicken and freeze in portioned containers. Thaw and assemble flatbreads for quick dinners throughout the week.
Party planning: Bake flatbreads just before guests arrive and keep warm on a low oven setting (200°F/95°C) until ready to serve.

Nutrition and portioning

This recipe yields two medium flatbreads; depending on appetite, plan on 1–2 flatbreads per person when serving with sides. For lighter eaters, cut each flatbread into 4-6 slices for sharing.

Flavor customization

Add-ons: Sliced scallions, chopped tomatoes, or pickled jalapeños offer additional flavor layers. Swap parsley for cilantro if you prefer that herbal note.
Cheese choices: For a sharper bite, mix some grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar with the mozzarella.

Closing cooking mindset

Think of these flatbreads as a template: once you have the basic technique — coat the protein, modest cheese base, and hot bake — you can riff endlessly with toppings and sauces to suit your household.

FAQs — alternate formats and quick answers

Q: Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken? A: Absolutely — it’s ideal.
Q: Is this kid-friendly? A: Adjust buffalo sauce amount to reduce heat, and offer ranch on the side.
Q: Can I make mini flatbreads for appetizers? A: Yes — use smaller flatbreads or cut regular ones into bite-sized pieces before baking.

Conclusion

This buffalo chicken flatbread pizza is an effortless way to enjoy wing-inspired flavors with the convenience of pizza — ideal for busy nights, casual entertaining, and anyone who loves bold, spicy food. For more inspiration on similar recipes and presentation ideas, check out Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizzas – Simply Scratch and a speedy variation at 20 Minute Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza | Kara Lydon.