Buffalo chicken pizza has become a beloved variation of traditional pizza, drawing inspiration from the famous buffalo chicken wings. The combination of spicy, tangy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and creamy cheese atop a crispy pizza crust offers a savory and satisfying experience for pizza lovers. But one common question that arises is: what sauce is used on buffalo chicken pizza?
In this article, we will explore the different types of sauces typically found on buffalo chicken pizza, how they complement the dish, and variations that can be made depending on personal preferences or dietary restrictions. We will also take a deep dive into the history of buffalo chicken pizza, discuss its ingredients in more detail, and explore how this pizza has evolved over time.
The Origins of Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Before diving into the types of sauces used on buffalo chicken pizza, it’s helpful to understand the origins of the dish itself. Buffalo chicken pizza is inspired by the popular buffalo wings, which originated in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s.
The creation of buffalo wings is credited to Teressa Bellissimo, who served the first batch of deep-fried chicken wings tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo in 1964. The dish quickly gained popularity and became a staple at bars and restaurants, often served with celery and a side of creamy blue cheese dressing to cool down the heat of the sauce.
As buffalo wings grew in popularity, the flavors found their way into various dishes, including pizza. Buffalo chicken pizza took the familiar elements of buffalo wings—spicy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing—and reinterpreted them on a pizza crust.
The key difference between buffalo chicken wings and buffalo chicken pizza is, of course, the pizza crust. The pizza dough is topped with chicken coated in buffalo sauce, and then the pizza is baked, creating a hot, cheesy, and spicy combination.
The Essential Sauces on Buffalo Chicken Pizza
At the heart of buffalo chicken pizza is the buffalo sauce, which brings the spicy, tangy flavor that is characteristic of buffalo wings. But there are also other sauces used in the pizza to balance out the heat, adding richness and creaminess. Let’s explore the main sauces commonly found on buffalo chicken pizza:
1. Buffalo Sauce
The primary sauce that defines buffalo chicken pizza is buffalo sauce itself. Buffalo sauce is a blend of hot sauce (typically Frank’s RedHot) and butter, with additional ingredients like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, vinegar, and sometimes Worcestershire sauce. The result is a spicy, tangy sauce that has the signature flavor of buffalo wings.
On buffalo chicken pizza, the chicken is often coated with buffalo sauce before it is added to the pizza. Sometimes the sauce is brushed onto the pizza crust as well. This sauce serves as the main flavor profile of the pizza, providing a zesty kick that pairs perfectly with the mildness of the chicken.
Ingredients of Buffalo Sauce:
Hot sauce: Often a mild or medium-heat hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot, provides the base of the buffalo sauce. The hot sauce adds spice and tang.
Butter: The butter helps to mellow out the heat from the hot sauce and creates a smooth, velvety texture for the sauce.
Vinegar: A small amount of vinegar adds tanginess to the buffalo sauce, making it more flavorful.
Garlic powder and cayenne pepper: These spices are added for extra heat and depth of flavor, making the sauce bold and spicy.
Buffalo sauce is poured over the chicken pieces, and this spicy mixture becomes the flavor foundation of the pizza. The key is balancing the heat of the buffalo sauce with the other ingredients on the pizza.
2. Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing
While buffalo sauce provides the heat, ranch or blue cheese dressing serves as the cooling counterpart. These creamy dressings are often drizzled on top of the buffalo chicken pizza after baking or served on the side as a dipping sauce.
Ranch Dressing:
Ranch dressing is a popular choice for buffalo chicken pizza because of its cool, creamy texture and mild flavor. The rich creaminess of ranch dressing helps to balance the spiciness of the buffalo sauce, creating a harmonious combination. Ranch dressing is made from a base of buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, and a blend of herbs and spices like dill, garlic, and onion powder.
When used on buffalo chicken pizza, ranch dressing adds richness and helps tone down the intensity of the buffalo sauce.
Blue Cheese Dressing:
For those who prefer a bolder flavor, blue cheese dressing is another excellent option. Blue cheese dressing is made with blue cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, and various seasonings. It has a distinct, tangy flavor with a hint of earthiness from the blue cheese. Some people prefer blue cheese over ranch due to its more complex flavor and stronger taste, which pairs well with the spicy buffalo sauce.
When drizzled over the pizza, blue cheese dressing adds an additional layer of richness and helps balance the spicy and savory elements of the buffalo chicken.
3. Garlic Parmesan Sauce
In some variations of buffalo chicken pizza, a garlic parmesan sauce is used instead of the classic buffalo sauce. This sauce provides a more subtle, savory flavor while still adding some richness and a slight tang. Garlic parmesan sauce is typically made with butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese, and it can be mixed with a small amount of hot sauce for a gentle spicy kick.
Garlic parmesan sauce is a great choice for those who want the buffalo chicken pizza without the full heat of traditional buffalo sauce. It adds a rich, garlicky flavor to the chicken and the pizza base.
4. Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Another alternative to traditional buffalo sauce is creamy Alfredo sauce. This rich and creamy sauce, made from heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, is often used in pizzas to create a comforting and indulgent flavor profile. When paired with buffalo chicken, the Alfredo sauce softens the heat of the buffalo sauce while still maintaining a creamy and flavorful base.
This type of sauce is often used in places where people want a milder, richer alternative to the sharp and tangy buffalo sauce. It’s a perfect solution for those who love creamy pizza but still want the spicy kick of buffalo chicken.
5. Barbecue Sauce (BBQ)
Some variations of buffalo chicken pizza incorporate barbecue sauce alongside or instead of buffalo sauce. BBQ sauce brings a different flavor profile—smoky, sweet, and tangy—that pairs wonderfully with the chicken. The combination of BBQ sauce and buffalo sauce can create a unique sweet-and-spicy experience.
The choice of BBQ sauce, whether tangy, sweet, or smoky, can significantly impact the overall taste of the pizza. BBQ sauce is often used when making a more fusion-style buffalo chicken pizza, adding an unexpected layer of sweetness to balance the heat.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Sauce at Home
If you prefer to make your own buffalo chicken pizza at home, creating the perfect buffalo sauce and other accompaniments is easy. Here’s how you can make a homemade buffalo sauce and optional creamy dressings:
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
To make homemade buffalo sauce for your pizza, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the hot sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Stir to combine, and simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Use this sauce to coat your chicken before adding it to the pizza.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
To make your own ranch dressing, you will need:
- 1/2 cup of buttermilk
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and dried dill, stirring to combine.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before using to allow the flavors to develop.
Variations of Buffalo Chicken Pizza
While the sauce is the star of buffalo chicken pizza, there are many ways to customize the toppings and flavors to suit different preferences. Some variations include:
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Extra buffalo sauce can be drizzled over the top of the pizza before baking to increase the heat level.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Buffalo Pizza: Adding crispy bacon to the buffalo chicken pizza adds a salty, smoky flavor that complements the spicy buffalo sauce.
Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Pizza: For those who prefer a vegetarian version, you can replace the chicken with plant-based protein like tofu or cauliflower, which can be seasoned with buffalo sauce for the same bold flavor.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken pizza is a delightful fusion of two iconic comfort foods: buffalo chicken wings and pizza. The essential sauce on this pizza is buffalo sauce, a mixture of hot sauce and butter that provides a tangy, spicy kick. Additionally, creamy dressings like ranch or blue cheese dressing help balance out the heat, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
While there are variations to the sauce and toppings that can be used, the combination of buffalo sauce, chicken, and a cool dressing is a winning formula that has made buffalo chicken pizza a popular choice in pizza kitchens around the world. Whether you prefer extra heat, a creamy sauce, or a combination of both, buffalo chicken pizza offers something for everyone to enjoy.
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