Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a flavorful twist on classic comfort food, combining spicy buffalo chicken with gooey melted cheeses all wrapped in golden pizza dough. It’s perfect for game day, family dinners, or any time you crave something hearty and delicious.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Step 2: Toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the amount based on your preferred heat level. Stir in the ranch dressing and the remaining 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce until the mixture is evenly combined.
3. Step 3: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a long rectangular shape.
4. Step 4: Spread the buffalo ranch chicken mixture evenly across the dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly on top.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough from one side to form a log. Seal both ends tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking. Place the log seam-side down on a non-stick or greased baking sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until golden and cooked through. Allow the bake to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
7. Step 7: Slice into portions and serve warm, with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, brush the outside of the dough with a little olive oil before baking.
• Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and added flavor.
• Try swapping ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing in the filling for a tangier twist.
• Add chopped celery or green onions inside for extra crunch and freshness.
• To make it milder, reduce the buffalo wing sauce or use a mild wing sauce variety.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain crispness, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works great and saves time. Just be sure to thaw it properly if frozen, ideally overnight in the refrigerator.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the buffalo chicken cheese bake and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Bake fresh when ready to serve for the best texture and flavor.

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a deliciously spicy and cheesy stromboli-style dish featuring tender shredded chicken tossed in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, wrapped in golden, crispy pizza dough, and loaded with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Perfect for game day or a flavorful family dinner, this savory bake packs bold flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Dough and Other

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the stromboli evenly and achieving a crispy crust.
2. Prepare the buffalo chicken mixture: In a bowl, toss the cooked shredded or diced chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the amount if you prefer more or less spice. Next, stir in the ranch dressing along with the remaining 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
3. Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out the defrosted pizza dough into a long rectangular shape, large enough to hold all the filling.
4. Assemble the stromboli: Spread the buffalo ranch chicken mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Then evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the chicken for a rich, cheesy filling.
5. Form the stromboli: Starting from one edge, carefully roll the dough into a log shape, making sure to roll tightly but gently. Seal both ends well to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Place the log seam-side down on a non-stick or greased baking sheet to keep it intact.
6. Bake: Bake the stromboli in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Rest and serve: Allow the stromboli to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to let the filling set, making it easier to slice. Slice into portions and serve warm with your choice of pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to control the spiciness level.
• Make sure to seal the ends of the stromboli properly to prevent filling leakage.
• Letting the stromboli rest before slicing helps keep the filling from spilling out.
• Use a floured surface when rolling the dough to prevent sticking.
• For extra crispness, brush the top of the stromboli with a little olive oil before baking.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken, cheese bake, stromboli, buffalo wing sauce, pizza dough, game day recipe, comfort food, spicy chicken bake