Imagine biting into a crispy, golden pocket of pure deliciousness that combines the spicy kick of buffalo chicken with the irresistible comfort of pizza - that's exactly what these Buffalo Chicken Pizza Poppers deliver! Whether you're hosting a game day party, looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or just craving a mouthwatering snack, these poppers are about to become your new obsession. Packed with zesty buffalo sauce, melted mozzarella, and tender chicken, all wrapped in a perfectly crisp pizza dough, these little flavor bombs will have everyone begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 poppers
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 package of pizza dough
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This will ensure that your Buffalo Chicken Pizza Poppers cook evenly and get a nice golden color.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken with 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. Stir well until the chicken is fully coated in the sauce. Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your taste if you prefer more or less heat.
- Add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to the chicken and buffalo sauce mixture. Mix until the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the chicken.
- Open the package of pizza dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. If the dough is pre-rolled, you can simply unroll it. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into squares, approximately 3 inches by 3 inches. You should be able to get around 12 squares from the rolled-out dough.
- Take one square of dough and place about 1 tablespoon of the buffalo chicken mixture in the center of the square. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make sealing the poppers difficult.
- Fold the dough over the filling to create a triangle or a pocket shape, pinching the edges together to seal. Make sure the edges are well-sealed to prevent any filling from leaking out during cooking.
- Repeat the filling and sealing process with the remaining squares of dough and buffalo chicken mixture until all poppers are assembled.
- Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent the poppers from sticking. Arrange the sealed poppers on the baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
- Optional: For a golden finish, you can brush the tops of the poppers with a little olive oil or melted butter before baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the poppers are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake.
- Once done, remove the poppers from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the Buffalo Chicken Pizza Poppers warm with additional buffalo sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Tips
- Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time and ensure consistent texture.
- Allow the poppers to cool slightly before serving to prevent burning your mouth and to let the filling set.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different hot sauces or add a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles to the filling.
- If the dough is too sticky, dust your work surface with a bit more flour.
- Make sure to seal the edges of the poppers completely to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- For a crispier exterior, you can brush the poppers with an egg wash before baking.
- These poppers can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making them perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 113kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
