Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe
Introduction
This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a deliciously spicy and cheesy dish that combines tender chicken with classic buffalo flavors. It’s perfect for game day, dinner, or a satisfying snack that everyone will enjoy.
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
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: Toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your preferred heat level. Stir in the ranch dressing and the remaining 1/4 cup of wing sauce until the mixture is well combined.
- Step 3: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a long rectangular shape.
- Step 4: Spread the buffalo ranch sauce mixture evenly across the dough. Add the chicken on top, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- 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.
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Once baked, allow the stromboli to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
- Step 7: Slice into portions and serve warm with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping, if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and boost flavor.
- For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
- Try swapping ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing for a tangier taste.
- Brush the outside of the dough with olive oil or an egg wash before baking for a golden brown finish.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through to retain crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust from getting soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, just be sure to thaw and cook the chicken thoroughly before using it in the recipe.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! Assemble the stromboli and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight. Bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve for the best texture.
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Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a deliciously spicy and cheesy stromboli-style bake featuring tender cooked chicken tossed in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, all wrapped in a soft pizza dough and baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for game day or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Cheese
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Dough & Other
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the stromboli.
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a bowl, toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the amount if you prefer more or less heat. Then stir in the ranch dressing along with the remaining 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce until well combined.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a long rectangular shape, making it easy to spread the filling evenly.
- Assemble the filling: Spread the buffalo ranch sauce mixture evenly across the rolled-out dough. Next, distribute the chicken mixture evenly on top, followed by a generous layer of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
- Roll and seal: Carefully roll the dough from one side to form a log shape. Seal both ends tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking. Place the log seam-side down on a lightly greased or non-stick baking sheet.
- Bake the stromboli: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the stromboli rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set. Slice into portions and serve with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping if you like.
Notes
- You can adjust the buffalo sauce quantity based on your preferred heat level.
- Using freshly shredded cheese provides better melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Make sure the pizza dough is well thawed but still cold for easier rolling.
- For a crispier crust, you can brush the outside of the dough with olive oil before baking.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven to retain the crust’s texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, cheese bake, stromboli, buffalo wing sauce, pizza dough, mozzarella, cheddar, game day recipe
