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Skillet Crispy Cheese Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Pizza dough topped with ranch, extra saucy buffalo chicken, four kinds of cheese, and garlicky herbs. The key to this pizza is to bake it in a cast iron skillet at a high temp until the crust and cheese around the edges get crispy. As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, top it with additional buffalo sauce and fresh scallions. Then slice, eat, and ENJOY! It’s a delicious pizza that you can easily make at home. This cheesy, saucy pizza is perfect for the fall and winter nights to come.
Every September/October, I share at least a few new buffalo chicken recipes. Last week, I made saucy buffalo chicken meatballs, and this week, I’m making the best buffalo chicken pizza.
This pizza is special. Unlike most pizza recipes that call for a baking sheet, this recipe calls for a cast iron skillet. Typically, I make pizza in our pizza oven. As you would expect, it results in some of the best homemade pizza. Of course, not many people have access to a pizza oven unless you have a countertop pizza oven (which I also love!) or a backyard pizza oven.
With our home and studio renovations underway, I’m now in the “no pizza oven access” category. I’ve been bummed about it for weeks. But then, I fell backward and turned to a pizza-making method I used in my earlier cooking days, before I was lucky enough to install a pizza oven!
Years ago, I used to make my pizzas in a cast iron skillet because they hold heat so well, similar to a pizza stone.
Using a cast iron skillet and baking the pizza in a crazy hot oven will create a crispy crust with a soft, chewy center. This is more of a thick crust, but it’s so yummy!
Sidenote, I just noticed that Crate and Barrel is having a sale on their Staub cast iron skillets, 20% off with the code KITCHEN (this is not a sponsored post).
These are the details
Step 1: prepare the dough
I like to use my homemade pizza dough recipe from the cookbook. There is a great dough recipe in both Super Simple and Every Day *I also see that all three books are almost 50% off today. I have no control over when they go on sale. I just happened to notice when collecting links. Must be a sale day!
Homemade dough is the easiest to make and truly delicious. If you can think a few hours ahead of time, I’d recommend making your own dough. If not, store-bought pizza dough works great too. I always enjoy the Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s dough options.
Before you begin topping the dough. First, preheat your oven to between 450° and 500°. I prefer 500° if your oven can get that hot.
Then press the dough out in a cast iron skillet until it almost reaches the edges. Cover the skillet and allow the dough to rest for at least 30 minutes. The dough should expand to the edge of the skillet.
Step 2: assemble the pizza
Layer the pizza dough with cheese, then ranch dressing and buffalo sauce. Next, add cubed or shredded chicken, some crumbles of blue cheese, and more buffalo sauce.
Mix together your favorite herbs. I love cilantro with buffalo sauce, along with grated garlic and chili flakes. Then, sprinkle the garlicky herbs over the chicken.
Lastly, add the cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
Step 3: bake the pizza
Bake the pizza in the upper position of the oven. Because this is a thicker-crust pizza, you’ll need to bake it for a slightly longer time to get a crispy crust with a soft, chewy center.
When you pull the pizza out of the oven, it will be bubbling and look and smell delicious.
Step 4: serving
Let the pizza sit in the skillet a few minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the crust. The crust should now easily slide out of the skillet.
Top with sliced scallions and additional buffalo sauce (always more sauce), slice, and eat. This one is meant to be eaten hot and you really just need buffalo sauce and ranch to enjoy along with each slice.
It’s not fancy at all, but that’s what makes this pizza good. It’s just that cheesy pizza we’re all really craving most!
Looking for more game day recipes? Here are a few to try:
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Lastly, if you make this Skillet Crispy Cheese Buffalo Chicken Pizza, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Skillet Crispy Cheese Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 589 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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1. Position the oven rack in the upper 1/3 portion of your oven. Preheat the oven to 500° F. for at least 30 minutes before baking, preferably 1-2 hours ahead. 2. Place the pizza dough in a lightly oiled 10-12 inch cast iron skillet. Gently press the dough until it covers most of the skillet. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. 3. In a bowl, combine the fresh herbs, grated garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes.4. To assemble. Grab the dough and top with provolone and blue cheese. Drizzle with the ranch and then some of the buffalo sauce. Layer on the chicken and more buffalo sauce. Sprinkle the garlicky herbs over the chicken, then add the cheddar and mozzarella cheese. 5. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes; rotate the pan, and bake another 3-5 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted and is crispy. Top the pizza with scallions additional buffalo sauce and/or ranch. ENJOY!
Ranch: In a glass jar or measuring cup, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, 2 tablespoons buttermilk, 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.
