Name: Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided; 1/4 cup ranch dressing; 1 tsp olive oil; 1 pizza dough, defrosted in refrigerator overnight; 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese; 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

If you’re looking for a game-changer for your weeknight dinners, this Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe might just become your new obsession. It’s that perfect mix of spicy, cheesy, and comforting that hits all the right notes, especially when you want something filling without a ton of fuss. Plus, it’s made with simple ingredients but delivers such a crowd-pleasing punch—trust me, I’ve made it more times than I can count!

What makes this recipe stand out for me is that satisfying swirl of buffalo flavor blended into creamy ranch, all wrapped up in a golden, cheesy crust. It works fantastically for casual family dinners, friendly get-togethers, or whenever you crave that classic Buffalo wing taste without the mess. The Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe is not only delicious but pretty straightforward to make, so you’ll actually enjoy the process, too.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything here comes together beautifully to create that legendary buffalo wing vibe inside a glorious cheesy bake. Each ingredient plays its part—juicy chicken, spicy wing sauce, melty cheeses, and a doughy base that’s just waiting to be rolled and baked. A few notes: make sure your pizza dough is properly thawed and floured to avoid sticking.

Cooked chicken: Using shredded or diced works well; I usually use leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken for extra flavor.
Olive oil: Helps with the dough and prevents sticking; plus, a little drizzle adds extra richness.
Pizza dough: Defrosted overnight in the fridge gives the best texture and stretch.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and provides that gooey, stretchy texture we all love.
Cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and a lovely color contrast.
Buffalo wing sauce: Split into two parts—you’ll toss half with chicken and mix half with ranch to create a balanced spicy base. Adjust to your heat tolerance.
Ranch dressing: Softens and cools the buffalo heat; I prefer a good-quality store-bought ranch or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious!

Variations

One of the best parts about this Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your liking. I often switch things up depending on what’s in my fridge or my mood—feel free to get creative!

Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne for extra heat. I love this variation when I want that serious kick.
Dairy alternatives: Use dairy-free cheese and ranch for a lactose-intolerant version, and the recipe still turns out tasty and melty.
Protein swaps: Turkey or even shredded jackfruit can make this more diet-friendly or vegan with appropriate swaps.
Additional veggies: Toss in sautéed onions, bell peppers, or celery for a bit more crunch and freshness.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Chicken and Sauces Just Right

Start by tossing your cooked chicken with a quarter cup of buffalo wing sauce—this is where you control the heat, so taste as you go! Then, stir in the ranch dressing along with the remaining buffalo sauce to create a creamy, tangy mix that’s bursting with flavor. I usually find balancing spicy buffalo with cool ranch makes the filling irresistible without being overpowering.

Step 2: Roll Out and Layer

On a floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a nice long rectangle. This shape makes it easy to layer and roll, turning it into a beautiful packed “log.” Spread that buffalo ranch mixture evenly across the dough for maximum flavor in every bite, then evenly scatter the chicken, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese on top. I found it helps to keep the cheese spread evenly, so it melts perfectly and everything stays together.

Step 3: Roll and Seal Your Stromboli Like a Pro

Carefully roll the dough from one side to the other, like you’re making a giant cinnamon roll! Sealing the edges and ends tightly is key here to prevent any of the gooey goodness from leaking out—moisture escaping can make a soggy bake, and none of us want that. Place the rolled dough seam-side down on a greased baking sheet so it holds its shape during baking.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Irresistible

Bake your buffalo chicken cheese bake in a preheated 425°F oven for about 30 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown crust with cheese just bubbling underneath. Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5-10 minutes; this step helps everything set up and makes slicing much easier without the filling oozing everywhere.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe

A rolled dough covered in melted white cheese on top, with bright orange shredded filling inside, sitting on a wooden board dusted lightly with flour, all placed on a white marbled surface. The dough is smooth and slightly golden, wrapping the shredded filling tightly in a tube shape, with the cheese melted unevenly across the top layer, showing some patches of the orange filling beneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle freshly chopped green onions or parsley on top for a fresh pop of color and flavor—it really brightens the dish. A little drizzle of extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side is my go-to, especially if your buffalo sauce has a spicy kick.

Side Dishes

This bake pairs beautifully with crisp celery sticks and carrot rounds to mimic the classic wing experience. A simple green salad or some roasted veggies can also balance all that richness perfectly. On busy nights, I even go with crunchy tortilla chips for dipping—super satisfying!

Creative Ways to Present

For party nights, I slice the bake into bite-sized pinwheels—these make great finger food, and everyone loves the cheesy swirl. Wrapping it with colorful napkins and serving with individual dipping ramekins gives it that fun, casual vibe that’s perfect for game days or casual hangouts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers from the Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe pack up well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually slice mine before storing because it makes reheating and serving so much easier later on.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! After baking and cooling, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before popping it in the freezer. When I’ve done this, it keeps great for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat my leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep the crust crispy and the cheese melty. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too — just cover it loosely to prevent the dough from getting tough, then pop it in for 1-2 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and thawed before mixing it with the buffalo sauce. Using pre-cooked frozen chicken or rotisserie chicken keeps things simple and tasty.
How spicy does the Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake get?

The spice level really depends on how much buffalo wing sauce you use. I recommend starting with half a cup split between chicken and sauce mixture, then tasting and adjusting. You can always add more if you want it hotter!
Can I make the pizza dough myself for this recipe?

Definitely! Homemade pizza dough can add a wonderful fresh flavor and texture, but store-bought dough works perfectly if you’re short on time. Just be sure to thaw it properly for easy rolling.
What dipping sauces go best with this bake?

Ranch and blue cheese dressing are classic choices to balance buffalo heat. I also like a simple side of pizza sauce for dipping if I’m serving this as more of a pizza-stromboli hybrid.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the mozzarella and cheddar for your favorite dairy-free cheese alternatives and use a vegan ranch dressing. The flavor won’t be exactly the same but still delicious and great for dairy sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Cheese Bake Recipe has easy weeknight dinner written all over it, and I honestly think it’s the kind of dish you’ll turn to again and again. It’s comforting with just the right amount of spicy, and that cheesy bread is pure heaven once it comes out of the oven. If you’ve been craving buffalo wings but want something less messy and way more satisfying, give this recipe a go—you’ll love how much your family or friends enjoy it, and I bet you’ll find yourself making it on repeat just like me!