If you’re ready to take your pizza night to bold and cheesy new heights, these Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets are absolutely the way to go. Each golden pocket bursts with spicy buffalo-sauced chicken, double cheese, and a hint of cool ranch, all tucked neatly in fluffy pizza dough. They’re the ultimate comfort food, perfect for satisfying game day cravings or reinventing weeknight dinner — and trust me, there’s nothing quite like discovering a steaming pocket of cheesy, spicy goodness with every bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets is refreshingly short and approachable, but each one is absolutely crucial. Every bite is layered with flavor, thanks to the careful balance of heat, creaminess, and texture that these simple staples provide.
- Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken makes this step effortless, but any cooked and well-shredded chicken will soak up that buffalo flavor beautifully.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: The star of the show — choose your favorite brand for just the right kick and tang.
- Ranch Dressing: This cools things down and creates that classic, addictive buffalo pairing; swap for blue cheese if that’s more your style.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts to create the ultimate ooey-gooey texture inside your pizza pockets.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and color, and takes the flavor up a notch.
- Refrigerated Pizza Dough: The ultimate time-saver; easy to roll and transforms into a bakery-worthy golden crust.
- Melted Butter: Brushed on top for a luscious, bakery-style finish and flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Just a sprinkle turns the crust into something a little extra special.
- Chopped Green Onions (optional): A fresh, peppery garnish that brings color and a hint of bite to the finished pockets.
How to Make Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet and Preheat Oven
Start things off by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring it’s nice and hot to give you a puffed, golden crust. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — not only does this prevent sticking, but it makes cleanup a total breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Buffalo Chicken Filling
In a roomy bowl, toss together your shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing. Stir until every strand of chicken is coated and glossy. This is where that signature tangy-spicy flavor is built, tossing in extra hot sauce if you want things even bolder!
Step 3: Roll Out and Cut the Pizza Dough
Unroll your tube of refrigerated pizza dough right onto a lightly floured surface. Give it a gentle stretch if needed, then use a knife or a pastry cutter to slice it into 6 equal rectangles, striving for as even a cut as possible so each pizza pocket bakes consistently.
Step 4: Fill Your Pizza Pockets
Spoon a generous heap of the buffalo chicken mixture onto one half of each dough rectangle, being careful to leave a neat border around the edges — this makes sealing so much easier. Sprinkle both cheeses evenly on top of the filling, ensuring maximum melt in every bite.
Step 5: Seal and Shape the Pockets
Fold the empty half of each rectangle over the filling, lining up the edges so you get a neat little pillow. Use your fingers or a fork to firmly pinch and seal the sides, locking in all that ooey-gooey magic.
Step 6: Add Buttery, Garlicky Magic
Arrange the pockets on your baking sheet, then brush the tops liberally with melted butter. Sprinkle them with garlic powder for irresistible aroma and flavor — you’ll thank yourself when the kitchen starts to smell like a pizza parlor!
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the tray into the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until beautifully golden and puffed up. They’ll be hot and bubbling, so let them cool for a few minutes before digging in to avoid molten cheese burns (trust me, it’s worth the wait!).
How to Serve Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets
Garnishes
Scatter a handful of chopped green onions across the just-baked pizza pockets for a pop of color and sharpness, or try a drizzle of extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate finishing touch. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives is also lovely if you want a herbaceous vibe.
Side Dishes
Pair these Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets with crisp celery and carrot sticks for a classic buffalo experience, or offer up a simple green salad dressed with ranch to keep things light but flavorful. If you’re serving a crowd, kettle chips or roasted potato wedges make it feel like a fun, elevated snack spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day, arrange the pizza pockets on a platter surrounded by shot glasses of various dipping sauces (ranch, extra buffalo sauce, blue cheese). For dinner parties, serve in a basket lined with checkered paper for a playful, shareable starter. Kids absolutely adore mini versions made with smaller dough squares!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover pizza pockets tightly in foil or pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, making for a killer next-day lunch or snack. Pro tip: a quick zap in the microwave or short bake in the oven brings the cheese right back to life.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets — just assemble and freeze them before baking. Lay them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, bake straight from frozen (adding a few extra minutes to the bake time), and you’ll have bubbling pockets fresh from your oven with zero hassle.
Reheating
For the freshest flavor and crispiest crust, reheat pizza pockets in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through and melty inside. You can also microwave them for a minute or so in a pinch, though the crust will be softer. Either way, don’t forget a fresh sprinkling of green onions or your favorite dip on the side!
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is not only convenient but packs in tons of flavor, making it a fantastic shortcut for preparing your buffalo chicken filling swiftly and easily.
Is it possible to make these Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets without ranch or blue cheese?
Definitely! If you’re not a fan of creamy dressings, omit them entirely or substitute with a bit of softened cream cheese or Greek yogurt for extra tang and moisture in the filling.
How spicy are these pizza pockets?
The spice level depends on your chosen buffalo sauce and any added hot sauce. If you prefer a milder kick, opt for a mild buffalo wing sauce; for heat seekers, don’t hesitate to crank it up a notch!
Can I prepare the pockets ahead for a party?
Yes, you can assemble the Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets and refrigerate them (covered) for up to a day before baking. This makes entertaining a breeze and ensures fresh, hot pockets on demand.
What other cheeses work well in these pizza pockets?
Feel free to swap or add cheeses like pepper jack, provolone, or a sprinkle of parmesan to amp up flavor and give your pockets a personal twist. Just make sure cheeses melt well for that signature ooey-gooey bite!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something irresistible about a batch of hot, homemade Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets — whether you’re serving them up for a party, a family dinner, or a special game day treat. Once you take that first bite of spicy, cheesy, buttery goodness, you’ll be hooked. I can’t wait for you to give them a try and add this crowd-pleaser to your rotation!
Print
Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 pizza pockets
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Ooey-Gooey Buffalo Chicken Pizza Pockets are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that combines the flavors of spicy buffalo chicken with gooey cheese, all wrapped in a golden-brown, flaky crust. Perfect for a quick dinner or game day snack!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 refrigerated pizza dough (13.8 oz tube)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (optional)
For the Buffalo Chicken Filling:
For the Pizza Pockets:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing until fully coated.
- Assemble the pockets: Roll out the pizza dough and cut it into 6 equal rectangles. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture onto one half of each rectangle, leaving a border around the edges. Sprinkle each with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Fold the dough over to form pockets and pinch the edges to seal.
- Bake: Place the pockets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffy.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute blue cheese dressing for ranch if preferred.
- Add a few dashes of hot sauce for extra heat.
- These pockets can be frozen before baking and reheated later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza pocket
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
