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Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pan Pizza

Pizza party! There are some days when you just need pizza…. it’s science. I absolutely love pizza but don’t eat it as much as I want to because it’s so bad for you. Jim and I have been talking for a while about using our trusty cast iron pan to make a pizza. We finally got around to it, and I’m so glad we did.

Don’t be disappointed when you get to the recipe below. It’s not a healthy recipe, but it’s definitely healthier than anything you’d get from one of the fast food pizza chains. There aren’t 2 cups of artificial butter flavored spray sogging up the crust here. We’ve come up with a basic pizza crust that works really well for a pan pizza. It’s dense enough to hold up to the toppings and doesn’t dry out too much from being cooked in the cast iron pan.

Deep Dish Pizza Crust
A simple and healthier pizza dough recipe.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
2 hr
Total Time
2 hr
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
2 hr
Total Time
2 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1 tsp sugar
  2. 1 tbsp instant yeast
  3. 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the bowl
  4. 1 tsp fine sea salt
  5. 2.5 C white whole wheat flour (all-purpose), plus more for dusting
Instructions
  1. Add 1 C water (110F) to the bowl of a stand mixer (with dough hook). Add sugar and sprinkle yeast on top.
  2. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until frothy.
  3. Add olive oil and salt. Start the mixer on a low speed and add flour in batches. Mix until dough forms a smooth ball.
  4. Knead dough for 2-3 minutes on a floured surface and place in an oiled bowl to rise for 1 hour, covered with plastic wrap. Make sure the bowl is in a warm area.
  5. Divide the dough in half and shape into tight balls. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Adapted from Food Network Magazine Sept 2013 - Guy Fieri's Prime-Time Pizza Dough
Adapted from Food Network Magazine Sept 2013 - Guy Fieri's Prime-Time Pizza Dough
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We made two different pizzas here. One is buffalo chicken (our favorite) and the other is a more traditional pepperoni with mushrooms. Both were fabulous. And of course you can adjust the toppings to whatever you want.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Serves 2
Our family favorite pizza! Saucy and slightly spicy.
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
30 min
Buffalo Sauce
  1. 2 tbsp butter
  2. 1 tbsp garlic
  3. 2 tbsp hot sauce
  4. 1 tbsp sriracha
  5. 1 chicken breast, sauteed and sliced thinly
  6. 1 pizza dough
  7. 4 tbsp pizza sauce
  8. 1 C shredded mozzarella cheese
  9. 4 tbsp green onion, thinly sliced
For the buffalo sauce
  1. Combine all ingredients in a small pan and heat over med-low heat until melted and combined. Remove from heat.
  2. Preheat oven as high as it will go, most likely 550F.
  3. Add the chicken to the sauce and coat evenly.
  4. In a cast iron pan, spread the crust out so that it's even. Add the pizza sauce and cheese, then top with chicken and onion.
  5. Place in center of oven and cook for 10-12 minutes. Use a thin spatula and check the bottom of the crust. It should be golden brown. Top of pizza should be bubbly and slightly browned.
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I also made an avocado ranch dipping sauce that went great with the buffalo chicken. You know that I don’t do mayo, so this avocado-based version of ranch dressing did the trick nicely. It really does taste like ranch dressing. Highly recommended. 

Avocado Ranch Sauce
Creamy, Healthy, and Delicious! A great substitute for traditional ranch sauce.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 avocado
  2. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  3. 1 tsp minced garlic
  4. 1 tbsp greek yogurt
  5. 1/4 tsp salt
  6. juice from 1/2 a lime (or lemon)
Instructions
  1. Place all the ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.
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What are your thoughts on homemade pizza? Do you have a great pizza dough recipe that you use? Let’s talk about it in the comments. Happy Holidays!