Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe

If you crave supercharged flavor and crave-worthy crunch all wrapped up in a snackable, hand-held form, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets. These cheesy, spicy bundles of joy bring together the unbeatable heat of buffalo chicken, stretchy mozzarella, and tangy blue cheese, all tucked into a golden pizza dough crust. Whether you’re planning a game day feast or just need a quick, satisfying dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite—everyone will be reaching for seconds!

Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets come together in a snap. Every item plays an important role, from melty cheese to creamy dressing, ensuring each bite is absolutely loaded with bold flavor and gooey texture.

  • Refrigerated pizza dough (1 lb): Delivers a pillowy, golden-brown pocket that bakes up perfectly crisp on the outside and soft within.
  • Cooked shredded chicken (2 cups): The heart of these pockets—a great use for rotisserie chicken or leftovers.
  • Buffalo sauce (1/2 cup): Provides that tangy, hot wing punch—feel free to adjust for your heat level!
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 1/2 cups): Melts into dreamy, stretchy layers and pairs beautifully with the spicy chicken.
  • Crumbled blue cheese (1/2 cup, optional): Adds sharp, creamy dimension; totally optional if you prefer classic mozzarella only.
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing (1/4 cup): Acts as a cooling base layer—choose your favorite for extra flavor.
  • Sliced green onions (1/4 cup): Delivers a pop of freshness and color right before serving.
  • Garlic powder (1 tsp): Boosts the savory richness of the filling.
  • Olive oil (1 tbsp): Brushed on top for a beautifully glossy, crunchy crust.
  • Salt (1/2 tsp): Essential to bring all the flavors together.
  • Black pepper (1/4 tsp): Adds a hint of warmth without overpowering the buffalo kick.

How to Make Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. This gives the pockets the right burst of heat to achieve that irresistible golden crust. A properly hot oven is key for that bakery-style finish!

Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Filling

In a large bowl, toss your cooked shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together until the chicken is thoroughly coated—every shred should be glistening with spicy, tangy sauce. Go ahead and sneak a taste; this is the flavor that will define your Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets!

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Pizza Dough

Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice it evenly into six rectangles. This helps ensure each pocket bakes up evenly and holds plenty of filling.

Step 4: Fill the Pizza Pockets

Spread a spoonful of your chosen dressing (ranch or blue cheese) on each rectangle, keeping a small border around the edges. Top with a generous spoonful of the buffalo chicken, then sprinkle over mozzarella and, if you’re a fan, crumbled blue cheese. This is where the magic—and the melty bliss—happens!

Step 5: Fold and Seal

Carefully fold each dough rectangle over the filling to create a pocket, matching the edges. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges tightly—this prevents all that cheesy, spicy goodness from escaping as they bake.

Step 6: Bake the Pockets

Arrange the sealed pockets on a greased baking sheet, then brush the tops lightly with olive oil for extra sheen and crunch. Pop them into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until they’re golden brown and delicious. The aroma will fill your kitchen and have everyone circling!

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, give the Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions. Let them cool for a few minutes, then dive in while they’re still gooey and warm on the inside.

How to Serve Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets

Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Just before serving, garnish your pockets with a scattering of sliced green onions for a burst of color and freshness. Extra crumbled blue cheese or a drizzle of buffalo sauce takes them over the top, making every bite even more irresistible.

Side Dishes

These pockets are the ultimate in finger food satisfaction, but they also pair beautifully with crisp celery and carrot sticks, a crunchy slaw, or a leafy green salad to keep things light and fresh. Be sure to serve extra ranch or blue cheese on the side for dipping—trust me, you’ll want it!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or game night, slice each Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pocket in half and serve on a platter with skewers or toothpicks for easy grabbing. Stack them high for a dramatic effect, or serve on a rustic wooden board surrounded by your favorite dipping sauces and veggie dippers for a crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover pizza pockets tightly in foil or store in an airtight container once cooled. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making them perfect for a next-day lunch or quick snack.

Freezing

Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets freeze wonderfully! Arrange cooled pockets on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months—ready to heat up whenever cravings strike.

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until hot and sizzling. This keeps the crust crisp and the filling melty. Microwave works in a pinch, but the oven delivers that fresh-baked texture everyone loves.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! If you love making your own pizza dough, go for it—homemade dough gives you total control over thickness and flavor. Just roll it out as described and use it exactly the same way.

What’s the best way to make these pockets less spicy for kids?

To mellow the heat, simply use less buffalo sauce or substitute a mild BBQ sauce instead. You can even mix buffalo and BBQ for a sweet-spicy hybrid that’s more family-friendly but still totally delicious.

Can I add vegetables inside the pizza pockets?

Definitely! Diced celery adds classic buffalo crunch, but diced bell peppers, red onion, or even baby spinach sneak in extra nutrients and color. Just keep veggies chopped small for even cooking.

How do I keep the filling from leaking out while baking?

The secret is to leave a border around the filling and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal each pocket shut. Make sure the dough isn’t overstuffed, and don’t forget to seal them tightly—no one wants to lose that cheesy goodness!

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes, you can assemble the pizza pockets a few hours in advance and refrigerate them (unbaked) until you’re ready to pop them in the oven. They bake up perfectly and save you time when entertaining guests.

Final Thoughts

Once you taste these Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets, you’ll understand why they disappear so quickly every time I make them. Packed with zippy, cheesy flavor and a crispy crust, this is a recipe destined to become a new favorite. Give them a try, share with friends, and get ready for some serious snack-time joy!

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Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe

Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 30-33 minutes
  • Yield: 6 pizza pockets 1x
  • Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Description

These Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or main course that combines the flavors of spicy buffalo chicken with gooey cheese, all wrapped in a convenient pocket of pizza dough.


Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Pockets:

  • 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Prepare Chicken: In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Assemble Pockets: Roll out pizza dough, cut into 6 rectangles. Spread dressing, add buffalo chicken, cheeses, then fold and seal.
  4. Bake: Place on baking sheet, brush with olive oil, bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with green onions before serving.

Notes

  • For a milder version, reduce buffalo sauce or use BBQ sauce.
  • Add diced celery for extra crunch.
  • Extra dressing for dipping is a tasty addition.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pocket
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg

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