Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe
Introduction
This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines spicy buffalo chicken with melty cheeses inside a golden, crispy crust. It’s perfect for a family dinner or game day snack and easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
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 based on how spicy you want the dish. 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 chicken mixture evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top.
- 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 greased or non-stick baking sheet.
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the crust is golden and cooked through. Let the bake rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
- Step 7: Slice into portions and serve with pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add caramelized onions or chopped celery to the chicken mixture.
- Use pre-shredded cheese to save time, but freshly shredded cheese melts better.
- Substitute buffalo wing sauce with barbecue sauce for a milder, smoky flavor.
- Brush the crust with a little olive oil or garlic butter before baking for a golden finish.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes to keep the crust crispy. You can also freeze the bake before slicing; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and adds great flavor while saving preparation time.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the bake and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake. You can also freeze it before baking for a convenient make-ahead meal.
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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 dish featuring shredded chicken tossed in buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, wrapped in pizza dough, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a hearty main course, it combines the zest of buffalo wings with gooey melted cheeses in an easy-to-make baked log.
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Dough & Cheese
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight
- 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the stromboli.
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: Toss the cooked chicken with 1/4 cup of the buffalo wing sauce. Adjust the sauce amount if you want more or less heat. Then stir in the ranch dressing along with the remaining 1/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce until everything is evenly combined.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough into a long rectangular shape, providing a perfect base for the filling.
- Assemble the Stromboli: Spread the buffalo ranch chicken mixture evenly across the dough. Layer the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top to create a cheesy filling.
- Form the Log: Carefully roll the dough from one side into a log shape. Seal both ends tightly to keep the filling from leaking during baking. Place the log seam-side down on a non-stick or greased baking sheet for even cooking.
- Bake: Place the stromboli in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
- Rest and Slice: Remove from the oven and allow the stromboli to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, which helps the filling set. Then slice into portions and serve with your choice of pizza sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Adjust the buffalo wing sauce quantity to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Sealing the ends well is crucial to prevent the filling from oozing out during baking.
- Letting the stromboli rest after baking ensures cleaner slices and better filling consistency.
- Feel free to add chopped celery or green onions inside for added crunch and flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo chicken, stromboli, cheesy bake, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, shredded chicken, baked stromboli, American dinner
