Touchdown Pizza is the ultimate game-day appetizer, combining the bold flavors of Buffalo chicken with the cheesy goodness of pizza. Inspired by a favorite sports pub dish, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for sharing. Serve with ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks for an authentic experience.
Ingredients
Yields: 6 servings (1 14-inch pizza)
- 1 (14-ounce) package prebaked pizza crust (such as Boboli®)
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken breast
- 3 tablespoons Buffalo wing sauce
- 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
- 1 (4-ounce) package crumbled blue cheese
- 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 475°F (245°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Prepare Chicken: In a bowl, mix the diced chicken with 3 tablespoons of Buffalo wing sauce until evenly coated.
- Assemble Pizza:
- Place the pizza crust on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread 1/2 cup of Buffalo wing sauce evenly over the crust.
- Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the sauce.
- Distribute the coated chicken evenly on the pizza.
- Add sliced celery for a fresh crunch.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and the pizza is cooked through.
- Cool & Serve: Let the pizza cool for about 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with ranch dressing, celery sticks, or carrot sticks.
Tips & Variations
- Crust Options: Try using fresh pizza dough, Pillsbury crust, or a thin-crust variation for a different texture.
- Sauce Adjustments: To tone down the heat, mix Buffalo sauce with ranch dressing before spreading it on the crust.
- Cheese Substitutes: If blue cheese is too strong for your taste, swap it for feta or extra mozzarella.
- Extra Toppings: Add red onions, green onions, or bell peppers for more flavor.
- Cooking Method: For extra crispiness, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes after baking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
A: Yes! Assemble the pizza up to a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.
2. What is the best Buffalo sauce to use?
A: Frank’s RedHot, Louisiana Wing Sauce, or homemade Buffalo sauce all work great. Adjust for spice level.
3. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds extra flavor.
4. What’s a good dipping sauce?
A: Ranch or blue cheese dressing pairs perfectly with this pizza.
5. Can I make this on a grill?
A: Yes! Cook on a pizza stone over indirect heat at about 400°F for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
Enjoy your Touchdown Pizza and make every game day a delicious one!