Print

Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza – Easy Comfort Food

Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza - featured image
Print Recipe

This Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza combines everything you love about Nashville hot chicken—crunch, heat, and tangy pickle bite—on a cheesy, handheld crust. It’s bold, messy, and the perfect comfort food for game day or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (optional)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (if frying fresh chicken)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for flour mixture)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for flour mixture)
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
  • 1 pound pizza dough
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup diced dill pickles
  • Ranch dressing for drizzling
  • Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
  2. Prepare the chicken: If using leftover fried chicken, skip to step 3. For fresh chicken, cut 2 boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Soak in buttermilk for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Make the Nashville hot sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir until smooth and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Toss the chicken: Place cooked chicken pieces in a large bowl. Pour about half the hot sauce over the chicken and toss gently until coated. Reserve remaining sauce for drizzling later.
  5. Stretch the dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Roll or stretch pizza dough into a rectangle or circle about 12 inches across. Transfer to an oiled sheet pan or floured pizza peel.
  6. Assemble the pizza: Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough, leaving about an inch border for crust. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over sauce. Distribute sauced chicken pieces evenly across cheese. Dot with diced dill pickles. Brush exposed crust edges with olive oil or melted butter.
  7. Bake: Slide pizza into preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned. Rotate pan halfway through.
  8. Finish with sauce and drizzle: Remove pizza from oven. Immediately drizzle remaining Nashville hot sauce over top. Follow with a generous drizzle of ranch dressing. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
  9. Rest and slice: Let pizza rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp pizza cutter or knife to slice into squares or wedges.

Notes

For extra crispy edges on chicken, spread sauced chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes before adding to pizza. Don’t oversauce the chicken to avoid soggy crust. Use low-moisture mozzarella. Preheat your pan for a crispier bottom crust. Let dough come to room temperature before stretching.

Nutrition

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken pizza, spicy pizza, comfort food, game day pizza, chicken pizza, hot chicken recipe

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/spicy-nashville-hot-chicken-pizza-easy-comfort-food/