Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and absolutely delicious twist on two of my favorite comfort foods, then you’ve got to try this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe. I discovered this gem when I wanted something spooky-yet-satisfying for a Halloween get-together, and it’s been a total hit every time I make it. You’ll love how the spicy buffalo chicken melds perfectly with the melty cheese and tender pizza dough, all shaped into these adorable—and edible—skulls. Ready to impress your friends and family? Let’s dive in!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe brings together some simple ingredients, but what makes it work is how well they complement each other to create that signature buffalo flavor with a comforting pizza dough base. Plus, I’ll share some tips so you nail the texture and spice balance!

• Chicken breasts: I love using chicken breasts here because they shred beautifully, especially when cooked in the Instant Pot, but rotisserie chicken can speed things up.
• Chicken bone broth: This adds moisture and flavor during cooking; if you don’t have bone broth, regular chicken broth works fine too.
• Buffalo sauce: This is the star for that spicy tang—feel free to adjust the amount depending on how hot you like it.
• Celery and carrots: These add some crunch and freshness, breaking up the richness of the cheese and chicken.
• Onion and garlic: For depth—sauté them just right to bring out their sweetness without burning.
• Ghee or avocado oil: A good fat helps with sautéing and adds buttery flavor if you use ghee.
• Blue cheese and shredded cheese: I like Monterey Jack with Hatch chili for some extra oomph, but you can use dairy-free cheese if preferred.
• Pizza dough: Store-bought works great here for ease; Pillsbury Classic is my go-to, but Simple Mills is an excellent gluten-free alternative.

Variations

I love that this Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe is easy to tweak based on what you have or your preferences. Play around with the fillings, dough, or cheese to suit your taste or dietary needs!

• Use rotisserie chicken: When I’m short on time, I grab rotisserie chicken from the store—it still makes the pizza stuffing pop with flavor and saves about 20 minutes.
• Make it dairy-free: I swap ghee with avocado oil and go for dairy-free blue cheese and shredded cheese alternatives – this works wonderfully without compromising the spicy, creamy vibe.
• Swap the buffalo sauce: For milder tastes, try a honey BBQ sauce instead – my kids LOVE this one.
• Make mini bites: Instead of full skulls, shape smaller ones for party appetizers. I once made a batch for a Halloween office potluck, and they vanished within minutes!

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe

Step 1: Cook and Shred the Chicken

Start by adding your chicken breasts, chicken bone broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the Instant Pot. I always use the poultry setting and cook for about 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally—it keeps the chicken juicy and tender. Once it’s done, grab two forks and shred the chicken right in the pot or on a plate. The shredding is satisfying, and you’ll notice how tender it is; this tender chicken is the base of the stuffing, so don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Stuffing

Heat ghee (or your substitute) in a large pan over medium-high heat, then toss in the diced onions, celery, carrots, salt, and pepper. Sauté these veggies for 5-7 minutes until they soften nicely but still hold a little crunch—that texture really makes the filling pop. After that, add the garlic cloves and cook just for a minute to prevent bitterness. Now, stir in the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and green onions. Cook everything together for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. The kitchen starts smelling incredible at this point—I always find myself sneaking little tastes!

Step 3: Prepare the Pizza Dough

Take your store-bought pizza dough and slice it in half, then cut each half into 6 strips (or however many you want to make). If you’re making skull shapes, keep strips manageable so they are easy to fold and shape without tearing. I like letting my dough sit out for a few minutes before handling—it keeps it nice and pliable, which makes molding much easier.

Step 4: Assemble Your Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls

Place one strip of dough into the middle of your skull-shaped baking pan and gently press it down. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the buffalo chicken stuffing onto the dough strip, then top with crumbled blue cheese and shredded Monterey Jack with Hatch chili (or your chosen cheese). Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and carefully press the edges to seal everything inside. This step requires a bit of patience, but it’s so worth it—you want that stuffing sealed tight to keep the cheesy goodness inside during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake your assembled pizza skulls in the oven preheated to 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the dough turns a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on them—every oven varies—because you want that crisp crust without burning. When they come out, the scent of buffalo chicken and melty cheese will have you ready to dig in immediately.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe

Garnishes

I like to top my pizza skulls with a sprinkle of extra green onions and a little blue cheese crumble for that authentic buffalo vibe. Serving them with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing adds creaminess that cools down the spicy kick, which always gets rave reviews from guests.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs perfectly with crunchy celery sticks and carrot slices—they cut through the richness and add a fresh crunch. If I want to get fancy, I serve it alongside a simple mixed green salad with a vinaigrette to balance the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I like arranging the Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls on a dark slate platter with some “bloody” hot sauce drizzles and fake cobweb decorations for a spooky effect. Another fun idea is serving them in mini muffin tins as bite-sized skulls—perfect for kids or cocktail parties!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When stored properly, they stay surprisingly moist inside without getting soggy—which hasn’t always been the case with pizza leftovers, so I’m impressed!

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked assembled pizza skulls by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then placing them in a freezer bag. This has saved my bacon during busy weeks. Freeze for up to 2 months, then bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

For reheating, I pop leftover skulls in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the crust crisps back up. I avoid microwaving since it can turn the dough chewy and the filling less appealing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Pizza Skulls Recipe has become one of my favorite recipes when I want something playful but packed with flavor. I love how easy it is to make, and the way the buffalo chicken filling and cheese come together inside the pizza dough is absolute magic. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or a party, these skulls will bring smiles and “wow”s around the table. Trust me—you’ll want to keep this recipe in your rotation all year long, not just Halloween. Give it a try and have fun in the kitchen!

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