Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza

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By Kevin Cossairt

The Inspiration Behind This Bold Creation

Nashville hot chicken has a way of making an impression. The combination of crispy fried chicken, fiery spice, and buttery heat is unforgettable. Add in the tangy contrast of pickles, and you have a perfect balance of bold flavors. One night, while craving something different, I thought, why not take those same flavors and turn them into a pizza?

This Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza brings together everything that makes hot chicken amazing but with the added comfort of a cheesy, golden crust. It starts with a creamy ranch sauce using my Best Ever Homemade Ranch Dressing, followed by layers of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Crispy, spicy chicken pieces are tossed in a Frank’s RedHot butter glaze, then scattered over the pizza. After baking to bubbly, golden perfection, it’s finished with fresh parmesan, chopped basil, and a drizzle of spicy honey ranch. The crust gets an extra layer of flavor with a brushing of garlic butter or oil and a light dusting of granulated garlic. For those who love a bit of tang, dill pickles and pickled jalapeños are optional but highly recommended.

The ULTIMATE Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza – Spicy, Cheesy, and Irresistible!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy, spicy chicken with just the right balance of heat
  • A rich, creamy ranch base that pairs perfectly with the spice
  • A blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella for the ultimate cheesy pull
  • A garlicky crust brushed with butter or oil for extra depth of flavor
  • A final drizzle of spicy honey ranch to tie everything together
  • Optional pickles and jalapeños for a bright, tangy contrast

Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by making the homemade dough, or use store-bought if you’re short on time. If making from scratch, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast and let it activate. Combine with flour, salt, and olive oil, then knead until smooth. Let it rise until doubled, about an hour, or 30 minutes if using quick-rise yeast.

Step 2: Make the Nashville Hot Chicken

Soak bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. Coat them in a seasoned flour mixture and fry until crispy and golden brown. Once fried, toss the chicken in a buttery hot sauce glaze made with Frank’s RedHot, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

Marinate the Chicken
Coat the Chicken
Make the Hot Glaze
Fry the Chicken

Step 3: Build the Pizza

Roll out the dough and spread a layer of Best Ever Homemade Ranch Dressing as the base. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then distribute the spicy hot chicken pieces.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 450°F and bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, brush the crust with garlic butter or oil and lightly dust with granulated garlic. Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan and chopped basil over the top. If desired, add pickles and jalapeños for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 6: Drizzle and Serve

Mix ranch dressing, honey, and a pinch of cayenne, then drizzle over the pizza before slicing. Serve immediately while everything is hot, melty, and full of bold flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza is the ultimate combination of heat, crunch, creaminess, and cheesy goodness. The spicy chicken, garlicky crust, and smooth ranch sauce create the perfect balance, making it a standout for pizza night, game day, or whenever you’re craving something different.

Ways to Customize It:

  • Want more heat? Add extra cayenne or drizzle with hot honey.
  • Prefer a thicker crust? Bake in a cast-iron skillet for a deep-dish version.
  • Need a shortcut? Use pre-cooked chicken tenders tossed in the hot glaze.

For the best results, don’t forget to use my Best Ever Homemade Ranch Dressing for both the base and drizzle. It adds the perfect creamy contrast to the spice.

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Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza

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Description

This isn’t your average buffalo chicken pizza. This recipe features crispy, fiery Nashville hot chicken made with juicy boneless chicken thighs, tossed in a Frank’s RedHot butter glaze, and layered onto a homemade pizza dough with a creamy ranch sauce base using my Best Ever Homemade Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

Scale

For the Homemade Pizza Dough (Makes two 10-12 inch pizzas)

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet) (Use quick-rise yeast if in a hurry)
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Dough & Sauce

For the Nashville Hot Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Nashville Hot Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
  • 3 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Toppings

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan (for finishing)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (for finishing)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • Optional: 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños

For the Crust & Finishing Touches

  • 2 tablespoons garlic butter or garlic oil (for brushing crust)
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic (to dust after baking)

For the Spicy Honey Ranch Drizzle

 

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Pizza Dough

  1. Activate the Yeast:
    • In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. (If using quick-rise yeast, you can skip this step and mix directly with the flour.)
  2. Mix the Dough:
    • In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until the dough comes together.
  3. Knead the Dough:
    • Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the Dough Rise:
    • Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
    • (If using quick-rise yeast, let it rest for just 30 minutes before rolling out.)

Step 2: Prepare the Nashville Hot Chicken

  1. Marinate the Chicken:
    • Place the chicken thigh pieces in a bowl and pour in the buttermilk.
    • Let soak for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours for extra tenderness and flavor.
  2. Coat the Chicken:
    • In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
    • Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
    • Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to ensure an even, thick coating.
  3. Fry Until Crispy:
    • Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or deep fryer As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this site. to 350°F (175°C).
    • Fry the coated chicken bites in batches for 4-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
    • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  4. Make the Hot Glaze:
    • In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, Frank’s RedHot sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
    • Toss the fried chicken bites in the hot glaze until fully coated.

Step 3: Assemble the Pizza

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Set the oven to 450°F (232°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to preheat.
  2. Prepare the Dough & Sauce:
  3. Layer the Toppings:
    • Sprinkle each pizza with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
    • Evenly distribute the Nashville hot chicken over the cheese.
  4. Bake to Perfection:
    • Transfer the pizzas onto the preheated stone or baking sheet.
    • Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Step 4: Finish with Parmesan, Basil & Crust Enhancements

  1. Brush the Crust:
    • As soon as the pizzas come out of the oven, brush the crust edges with garlic butter or garlic oil for extra flavor.
  2. Lightly Dust with Granulated Garlic:
    • While still hot, lightly dust the pizza with granulated garlic to enhance the overall flavor.
  3. Add Parmesan & Basil:
    • Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil.
  4. Optional Additions:
    • If desired, add chopped dill pickles and pickled jalapeños for an extra tangy kick.
  5. Make the Spicy Honey Ranch Drizzle:
    • Mix ranch dressing, honey, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
    • Drizzle over the pizzas before serving.

Step 5: Slice & Serve

Cut into slices and enjoy! The crispy, spicy chicken, creamy ranch, melty cheese, fresh basil, parmesan, garlic-kissed crust, and a drizzle of spicy honey ranch create the ultimate balance of bold flavors.

Final Thoughts

This Nashville Hot Chicken Pickle Pizza takes everything great about Nashville hot chicken and transforms it into an irresistible pizza experience. The heat from Frank’s RedHot, the creaminess of homemade ranch, the fresh parmesan and basil, and the garlicky crust make every bite unforgettable.

 

For the best results, don’t forget to use my Best Ever Homemade Ranch Dressing for the base and drizzle—it makes all the difference.

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