The Best Cheeses To Pair With Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Buffalo chicken pizza is a combination of two favourite foods: buffalo chicken wings and pizza. But what kind of cheese goes on a buffalo chicken pizza? Well, there are several options. Blue cheese is a popular choice, as it adds a deep salty, cultured, and slightly spicy taste. Mozzarella is also commonly used, as it has a high moisture content and provides a nice melt. Other options include cheddar, provolone, smoked gouda, and Swiss cheese. So, if you're looking to spice up your next pizza night, why not give buffalo chicken pizza a try? With so many delicious cheese options to choose from, you're sure to find a combination that suits your taste!

Mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, blue cheese, and ranch

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, known for its high moisture content and ability to melt easily. It pairs well with other cheeses and toppings, providing a nice base for the other flavours to shine.

Cheddar adds a nutty, savoury flavour to the pizza. You can use either mild or sharp cheddar, depending on your preference. If you're looking for substitutes, provolone or smoked gouda are excellent options to consider. They will both provide a similar flavour profile and melting capability.

Blue cheese is a must-have for many buffalo chicken pizza enthusiasts. It adds a deep, salty, cultured, and slightly spicy taste. Blue cheese doesn't melt like the other cheeses due to its lower fat content, but the crumbles provide a pleasant zing throughout each bite.

Ranch dressing is another popular addition to buffalo chicken pizza. It can be drizzled on top of the pizza or used as a base instead of traditional tomato sauce. Its cool, creamy flavour helps to balance the spiciness of the buffalo sauce.

When making a buffalo chicken pizza, you can get creative and combine some or all of these cheeses to find your perfect flavour combination.

Cream cheese and ranch

Buffalo chicken pizza is a fun twist on the classic comfort food, and the right cheese can make all the difference. Using a combination of cream cheese and ranch is a great way to achieve a creamy, tangy, and savoury flavour that complements the spicy buffalo chicken. Here's a detailed guide to using cream cheese and ranch on your buffalo chicken pizza.

The Cream Cheese and Ranch Sauce

The sauce is a key component of any pizza, and for buffalo chicken pizza, a combination of cream cheese and ranch seasoning creates a delicious base. To make this sauce, start by microwaving or melting the cream cheese until it's very soft and melty. Then, stir in some ranch seasoning to taste. You can adjust the amount of ranch seasoning to your preference, but it's important to note that ranch dressing mix tends to be saltier than the ranch seasoning.

Preparing the Toppings

The beauty of buffalo chicken pizza is that it's versatile and customisable. For the chicken, you can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or even crockpot shredded chicken. Toss the chicken in buffalo sauce, and if you like it spicy, opt for a hotter variety of buffalo sauce or add some cayenne pepper or sliced jalapenos.

Assembling the Pizza

Start with your favourite pizza dough, either homemade or store-bought. Roll it out to your desired thickness and place it on a pizza pan or stone. Spread the cream cheese and ranch sauce evenly over the crust, creating a flavourful base.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by the buffalo chicken. You can also add other toppings like red onions, banana peppers, or green onions for added flavour and texture.

Baking and Serving

Bake the pizza in a preheated oven at 425-500 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Once baked, sprinkle the pizza with chopped green onions and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing for added creaminess. You can also serve the pizza with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Feel free to customise your pizza further with additional toppings or spices to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your homemade buffalo chicken pizza with cream cheese and ranch!

Blue cheese and ranch

Blue cheese is a classic pairing with buffalo sauce, as the deep, salty, cultured, and slightly spicy taste of blue cheese complements the tanginess and spice of the buffalo sauce. Blue cheese also adds a pleasant zing to each bite, as it doesn't melt like other cheeses due to its lower fat content.

Ranch dressing is another popular choice to balance out the spice and tang of the buffalo sauce. It adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the pizza. Some recipes suggest using a mixture of cream cheese and ranch seasoning as the base for the pizza, which can then be drizzled with ranch dressing or blue cheese.

When using blue cheese, it is recommended to sprinkle it over the pizza before baking, so that the warmth of the oven can slightly melt the cheese. If using ranch, it is best to spread it evenly over the dough as a base layer before adding other toppings.

For a full gourmet experience, you can make your own blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing from scratch.

No tomato sauce

While some recipes for buffalo chicken pizza do include tomato sauce, many do not. In these cases, the base is often a mixture of cream cheese and ranch seasoning, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing.

One recipe recommends a combination of cream cheese and ranch seasoning as the base, topped with mozzarella cheese. Another recipe suggests using blue cheese dressing as the base, with mozzarella sprinkled on top.

If you're looking for a more creative option, you could try a base made from cream cheese and blue cheese dressing, with blue cheese crumbles on top. This combination will result in a deeper, saltier flavour.

For an extra indulgent option, you could also try a base of ranch dressing, topped with mozzarella, cheddar, and blue cheese crumbles. This combination will give you a variety of flavours and textures, with the mozzarella providing a nice melt, the cheddar a nutty and savoury flavour, and the blue cheese a salty and spicy kick.

Homemade vs store-bought ingredients

Chicken Toppings

Preparing the chicken yourself gives you more control over the flavour and texture. You can roast or grill chicken breasts, or use leftovers from a previous meal. However, store-bought rotisserie chicken provides a convenient shortcut that can save time without sacrificing taste.

Pizza Cheese

Mozzarella is the most popular choice for pizza due to its superior stretchability, mild flavour, and browning properties. Fresh mozzarella has a soft texture and high water content, so it should be dried before use to prevent a soggy crust. Low-moisture mozzarella, on the other hand, is denser and saltier, with a longer shelf life, making it a more suitable option for pizza.

If you're looking to mix things up, you can blend mozzarella with cheeses like Parmesan, provolone, or cheddar, or use substitutes like gouda, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but it contains additives that can affect taste and meltability. Shredding your own cheese may be preferable for optimal results.

Pizza Sauce

Making your own pizza sauce allows you to customise the flavour and texture to your liking. However, store-bought pizza sauces, such as Rao's Homemade Pizza Sauce, Classico Traditional Pizza Sauce, and Pomi Pizza Sauce, offer a convenient alternative that can save time without sacrificing taste. These sauces stand out for their fresh tomato flavour, thickness, and balance of herbs and spices.

Frequently asked questions