Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a deliciously spicy and cheesy dish perfect for game days or casual dinners. Combining tender chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and gooey cheeses wrapped in pizza dough, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make at home.

A large burrito-like roll is shown on a wooden board with a white marbled texture underneath. The roll has one visible thick outer tortilla layer, pale yellow and slightly soft in texture, wrapping tightly around shredded chicken pieces covered in a rich orange sauce peeking out from one end. The top is covered with a thick layer of melted cheese, golden-brown with bubbly, toasted spots, slightly stretching at the edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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: In a medium bowl, toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the sauce amount based on your preferred heat level. Stir in the ranch dressing and the remaining 1/4 cup of 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 sauce mixture evenly across the dough. Layer the chicken on top, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
  5. Step 5: Carefully 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. After baking, let the stromboli rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
  7. Step 7: Slice into portions and serve with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crispiness, brush the outside of the dough with olive oil or an egg wash before baking.
  • Add chopped celery or green onions to the chicken mixture for added crunch and freshness.
  • Use store-bought pizza dough to save time, or make your own for a homemade touch.
  • Adjust the buffalo wing sauce to control the level of spiciness according to your taste.

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 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A close-up of a rolled dough with two visible layers: the inner layer is bright orange shredded chicken mixed with sauce, and the outer layer is soft light beige dough wrapped around the filling. The top of the roll is sprinkled with melted white and slightly golden cheese. The roll rests on a wooden board dusted with flour, and the background is blurred but shows a kitchen setting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and adds great flavor while saving prep time.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with cooked mushrooms, tofu, or a plant-based chicken alternative and use buffalo sauce accordingly.

Print

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a deliciously spicy and cheesy stromboli featuring tender cooked chicken tossed in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, all wrapped in a golden pizza dough crust. Perfect for game day or a hearty dinner, this bake combines classic buffalo flavors with melty mozzarella and cheddar cheeses for a crowd-pleasing dish.

  • Author: Tim
  • 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

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 & Others

  • 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight
  • 1 tsp olive oil (for tossing chicken)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the stromboli.
  2. Prepare Buffalo Chicken Mixture: Toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce, adjusting the amount based on how spicy you want it. Then stir in the ranch dressing and the remaining 1/4 cup of wing sauce until the chicken is evenly coated and flavorful.
  3. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll the defrosted pizza dough into a long rectangular shape, large enough to hold all the filling comfortably.
  4. Assemble Stromboli: Spread the buffalo chicken and ranch mixture evenly across the rolled dough. Layer the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the chicken to add a rich, melty texture.
  5. Form the Log: Carefully roll the dough from one side into a log shape, sealing both ends tightly to keep the filling from leaking out during baking. Place the log seam-side down on a non-stick or greased baking sheet.
  6. Bake: Place the stromboli in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Rest and Serve: Let the stromboli rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. Slice into portions and serve warm with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping if desired.

Notes

  • Adjust buffalo wing sauce amount for desired heat level.
  • Make sure to seal the ends well to prevent filling leakage during baking.
  • Allow the stromboli to rest before slicing to avoid soggy slices.
  • Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing for an authentic buffalo experience.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting results.

Keywords: buffalo chicken, cheese bake, stromboli, spicy chicken bake, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, cheddar, game day recipe

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