Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake

Buffalo chicken bake is the ultimate mashup for cheese and wing lovers. Filled with tender spicy chicken and a double dose of melty cheddar and mozzarella plus a slick of cool ranch all rolled up in pizza dough and baked until bubbling and golden this is a crowd pleaser for game days busy weeknights or the next time you want a low fuss meal that still feels special

The first time I made this was on a Sunday when my crew was craving big flavors without a lot of effort Since then it is my party staple and even picky eaters dive in for seconds

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken: opt for rotisserie for convenience and juicy texture
• Olive oil: helps coat the chicken for extra moisture and flavor
• Pizza dough: grab store bought for speed or use homemade for a personal touch look for dough that springs back when poked
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: brings stretchy melt and a mild creamy taste always choose block cheese and shred yourself for best melt
• Shredded cheddar cheese: adds sharpness and depth to balance the ranch and sauce
• Buffalo wing sauce: the backbone of heat and zing stick with classic brands or try homemade for control over spiciness
• Ranch dressing: brings creamy coolness that balances the heat choose a thick and tangy bottled ranch or whip up your own if you have time

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Buffalo Chicken:

Mix your shredded or diced chicken with olive oil and half of the buffalo sauce in a large bowl Start with a small amount of sauce and add until every piece is well coated This step infuses the chicken with that signature heat

Blend the Ranch Buffalo Sauce:

In a separate bowl combine the other half of the wing sauce with ranch dressing Mix until completely smooth This makes a creamy tangy spread that ties everything together inside the bread

Prepare the Dough:

Spread a generous layer of flour on your work surface and roll out the pizza dough into one long even rectangle It should be thin but not tearing this gives you plenty of surface area for the fillings

Assemble the Stromboli:

Spread the buffalo ranch sauce evenly over the dough leaving a half inch border Add the buffalo chicken in a straight line from end to end Then sprinkle both cheeses over the top pressing gently so nothing shifts while rolling

Roll and Seal:

Working from a long side roll the dough tightly over the fillings until you have a sealed log Pinch the ends closed to stop cheese from escaping as it bakes then set the log seam side down on a greased or nonstick baking sheet

Bake to Perfection:

Place in a preheated oven at four twenty five degrees and bake for thirty minutes or until the crust is golden brown and crisp The filling should be bubbling inside

Rest and Slice:

Let the baked roll rest out of the oven for at least five minutes before slicing This keeps all the oozy cheese and sauce inside and makes cutting much easier

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Mozzarella is my secret star in this recipe I love how it melts to create those classic cheese pulls My family always gathers in the kitchen when this is cooling and everyone steals a little sample of the edge before I can slice it up

Storage Tips

Wrap leftover slices tightly in foil or plastic and keep in the fridge for up to three days To maintain crisp edges reheat uncovered in a hot oven or toaster oven for ten minutes You can also freeze individual slices on a baking sheet then transfer them to a freezer bag for easy snacks later on

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap rotisserie chicken for leftover turkey or even cooked tofu for a vegetarian version If you are out of ranch try blue cheese dressing or Greek yogurt with a pinch of garlic powder For dairy free cheese use your favorite almond or oat based cheese shreds

Serving Suggestions

Cut thick slices for a hearty dinner or slice thinly for appetizers This bake is great with a simple green salad carrot and celery sticks or extra buffalo sauce and ranch for dipping It is an ideal partner for cold beer or sparkling lemonade

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Cultural History

Buffalo chicken flavors started in Buffalo New York with spicy sauced wings but have taken over pizza and sandwiches nationwide This bake brings together the best of stromboli and wing night in a way that feels both nostalgic and fun My gang calls it football bread because it vanishes before half time

Recipe FAQs

→ How can I adjust the spice level?

Change the amount or type of buffalo sauce to make the flavor milder or hotter.

→ What's the best cheese blend for this bake?

A mix of mozzarella and cheddar melts beautifully, giving both stretch and flavor.

→ Should I use homemade or store-bought dough?

Either works well; homemade offers extra freshness, but store-bought saves time.

→ How do I prevent the filling from leaking?

Seal both ends of the dough log tightly and place seam side down before baking.

→ What can I serve alongside this dish?

Offer pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping and extra flavor.

→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to one day before baking. Bake just before serving.