Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizzas: A Bold, Cheesy Twist on Pizza Night
Bold heat and creamy melt deliver a fuss-free twist that elevates any gathering.
Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizzas: The Perfect Weeknight or Game Day Treat
If you’re looking for a way to combine bold buffalo flavor with the comfort of cheesy, satisfying pizza—without any fuss—look no further than Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizzas. These easy, oven-baked pizzas come together fast, using a soft loaf of French bread as the base and a creamy, spicy shredded chicken topping that delivers all the flavor of buffalo wings and all the convenience of homemade pizza. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just need a simple weeknight meal, this recipe offers something for everyone.
Why Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizza?
- Quick and easy: No dough to roll or rise—just slice, top, and bake.
- Bold flavor: Spicy buffalo sauce meets cool, creamy cheese for ultimate satisfaction.
- Flexible ingredients: Use rotisserie chicken for speed, or leftover cooked chicken for zero waste.
- Perfect for gatherings: This is a crowd-pleaser for parties, game days, or easy family dinners.
- Customizable: Adjust cheese, spice, and toppings to fit your tastes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The star of this recipe is a simple combination of accessible ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand.
| For the Pizzas | For the Salad (Optional Serving Suggestion) |
|---|---|
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Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Sauce
Melt salted butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in the Buffalo hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir and heat until the mixture starts to bubble at the edges—this marries the flavors and creates a rich, delicious coating for your chicken.
2. Toss Chicken with Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded rotisserie (or cooked) chicken with all but about 1/4 cup of the Buffalo sauce mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated—the more coating, the more flavor packed into every bite.
3. Prepare and Top the Bread
- Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into thirds to make manageable pizza pieces. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet for even browning and easy topping.
- Brush each bread piece with the reserved 1/4 cup Buffalo butter sauce. This step adds an extra layer of buffalo flavor and keeps the bread from drying in the oven.
- Sprinkle on half of the mozzarella cheese as your base cheese layer. This helps the toppings adhere and creates that signature gooey, melty base.
- Evenly distribute the buffalo chicken over the cheese layer, then top with remaining mozzarella and scatter with thinly sliced red onions for a crunchy, slightly sweet top note.
4. Bake
Place the baking sheet in a preheated 425°F (218°C) oven. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges of the bread are crisp, the cheese is thoroughly melted, and some golden spots have formed.
5. Add Crisp Salad (Optional but Recommended)
While the pizzas bake, prepare a fresh, tangy celery-romaine salad as a classic companion to buffalo-flavored dishes.
- Whisk together lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne, and olive oil in a bowl to make a simple vinaigrette.
- Toss in celery stalks, celery leaves, romaine, and grated carrot. Gently fold in crumbled blue cheese just before serving for bursts of creamy, tangy flavor.
This crisp salad is the perfect cool foil to the spicy, cheesy pizzas and adds color and nutrition to your plate.
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Tips and Variations
- Rotisserie chicken keeps prep fast and flavorful, but you can use any cooked, shredded or diced chicken you have.
- Customize your heat: Use a milder hot sauce for less heat, or add cayenne or chili flakes for more spice.
- Cheese options: Swap mozzarella for Monterey Jack, provolone, or a mix for more flavor (or add crumbled blue cheese on top for extra tang).
- Optional add-ons: Sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, or a drizzle of ranch dressing boosts flavor and visual appeal.
- Make it vegetarian: Substitute cooked cauliflower florets for chicken—toss them in the same Buffalo sauce mixture and proceed as directed.
- Low-carb swap: Use hollowed-out zucchini boats or portobello mushroom caps as a bread replacement for a gluten-free version.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizza
Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizzas stand alone as a full meal, but if you’re looking for creative pairings, consider these:
- Crisp green salad: As described above, a celery and blue cheese salad cuts the heat.
- Vegetable sticks: Classic carrot and celery sticks with ranch dip echo the flavors of traditional buffalo wings.
- Potato wedges or baked fries: Crunchy potatoes balance the soft bread and creamy cheese.
- Pickled vegetables: The acidity of quick pickles offsets the richness of the pizza.
Nutrition and Serving Suggestions
Each hearty slice offers a balanced combination of protein, carbs, and fat, with plenty of calcium and flavor. Want to keep it lighter? Serve with extra salad and skip the extra cheese or butter.
This recipe typically makes 6 large servings—enough for a family dinner or a party snack for a small crowd. The leftovers reheat beautifully: simply bake in a hot oven for 8–10 minutes to revive the crust’s crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes. Prepare the buffalo chicken and slice the bread in advance. Top the bread and refrigerate until ready to bake. When ready, bake as directed—add an extra 2–3 minutes to account for the colder ingredients.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store cooled pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven to restore the crisp crust.
Q: Can I freeze this French bread pizza?
A: Yes! Top the bread but do not bake. Flash freeze on a tray, then wrap tightly and store for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen; add 5–7 minutes to bake time.
Q: Do I have to use blue cheese?
A: No, it’s optional. Many people love the classic buffalo-blue cheese combo, but ranch dressing or extra mozzarella also works well for those who prefer a milder taste.
Q: Can I use other kinds of bread?
A: Absolutely. While soft French bread has the ideal texture for crispness and chew, you can use Italian bread, ciabatta, or rolls as substitutes.
Pro Tips for the Best Result
- Broil the bread briefly before topping for extra crunch (1–2 minutes—keep a close eye to avoid burning).
- Hollow out a small portion of the bread center for a sturdier, sauce-soaked boat that holds its toppings better.
- Add honey to the hot sauce if you love a sweet-spicy flavor combo.
- Let cheese brown a bit in the oven for beautiful, bubbly pizza tops.
Nutritional Snapshot (per serving, approximate)
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbohydrates | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 410 | 28g | 15g | 35g | 900mg |
*Numbers are rough averages, based on ingredient brands. For stricter dietary needs, calculate using your own ingredients.*
Final Notes
Buffalo Chicken French Bread Pizzas are everything a comfort dish should be: crisp, spicy, tangy, creamy, and easy enough for cooks of all levels. They’re perfect for weeknight meals, celebrations, or anytime you crave restaurant-style flavor at home. Enjoy experimenting with toppings and pairings for your perfect bite!
References
- https://grumpyshoneybunch.com/buffalo-chicken-french-bread-pizza/
- https://www.isdinner-ready.com/blog/blog-post-four-hef9c-y949e
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a32601937/buffalo-chicken-french-bread-pizzas-recipe/
- https://wearychef.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-french-bread-pizza/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11640/french-bread-pizzas/
- https://www.eatyourbooks.com/library/recipes/2854012/buffalo-chicken-french-bread-pizzas
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj8S2WBDVmY
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