Why You’ll Love Buffalo Chicken Buns Recipe
These buns combine everything people love about buffalo chicken—spicy, creamy, and cheesy—inside a warm, fluffy dough. They’re perfect for parties, game days, or a fun dinner. The recipe is simple to prepare, customizable, and delivers bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb pizza dough or bread dough
1/4 cup ranch dressing, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, ranch dressing, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until creamy and evenly coated.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and flatten each piece into a 4 to 5 inch disc on a lightly floured surface.
Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling into the center of each dough disc. Add a little extra cheese on top, then pull the edges of the dough up and pinch tightly to seal. Place each bun seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and brush it generously over each bun.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and cooked through. If they brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Let the buns rest for 3 to 5 minutes after baking. Drizzle with ranch and buffalo sauce, then sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 to 22 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra flavor.
Swap mozzarella with pepper jack for a spicier twist.
Add crumbled blue cheese to the filling for a classic buffalo flavor.
Make mini versions for appetizers by dividing the dough into smaller portions.
Use whole wheat dough for a slightly healthier option.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes to maintain crispness, or microwave for a quicker option.
You can freeze the baked buns for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the buns and refrigerate them before baking. Bake fresh when ready to serve.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes, pizza dough or bread dough from the store works perfectly.
How spicy are these buns?
They have a moderate heat level. You can adjust by using more or less buffalo sauce.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes, cheeses like Monterey Jack, provolone, or pepper jack work well.
What can I serve with these?
They pair well with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a simple salad.
Can I make them without ranch dressing?
Yes, you can omit it or substitute with blue cheese dressing.
Why is my dough tearing?
The dough may be too cold or too thin. Let it rest at room temperature and avoid over-stretching.
Can I air fry these instead?
Yes, cook them in an air fryer at 350°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, checking for doneness.
How do I keep the filling from leaking?
Make sure to seal the dough tightly and place the buns seam-side down.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the chicken with buffalo cauliflower or a plant-based alternative.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken buns are a delicious, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings together spicy buffalo flavor, creamy cheese, and soft baked dough. Whether served as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, they are sure to be a hit and quickly disappear from the table.
Buffalo Chicken Buns
These buffalo chicken buns are stuffed with a creamy, spicy chicken filling and baked until golden and fluffy. Finished with ranch and green onions, they make a bold and satisfying meal or snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 lb pizza dough or bread dough
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, ranch dressing, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and evenly combined.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and flatten each into a 4–5 inch disc on a lightly floured surface.
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each disc and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Pull the edges of the dough up and over the filling, pinching tightly to seal. Place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
- Mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush generously over each bun.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Tent with foil if they brown too quickly.
- Let rest for 3–5 minutes, then drizzle with additional ranch and buffalo sauce.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve warm.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Adjust spice level by adding more or less buffalo sauce.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven.
- Serve with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
- Ensure buns are sealed היטב to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
