Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bake Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Bake is a homemade take on the Costco Chicken Bake with a spicy buffalo-sauce twist. Ready in about 29 minutes, it’s cheesy, saucy, and perfect for weeknights or game day.

I didn’t grow up near Costco, so the first time I tried the famous Costco Chicken Bake it felt like a tasty discovery. That classic is loaded with chicken, multiple cheeses, bacon, and a creamy dressing. For this version I put a Buffalo-style spin on the idea: blue cheese dressing, shredded carrots and celery for crunch, green onions, plenty of buffalo sauce, and melty pepper jack for heat. The result is a crispy, golden bake that’s both familiar and bold.

This Buffalo Chicken Bake makes an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy. It also slices up nicely for parties—cut into smaller portions and serve as an appetizer at your next get-together or Super Bowl spread.

Ingredients

• One 13.8 oz can pizza dough — use store-bought for convenience or homemade if you prefer.
• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing (or ranch, if you’d rather).
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced — leftover roasted chicken, grilled breast, or rotisserie chicken all work well.
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped.
• 1/4 cup carrots, shredded.
• 2 tbsp green onions, chopped.
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce (adjust to taste).
• 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded.
• 2 tbsp butter, melted.
• 1 tsp garlic powder.
• 1 tsp dried parsley.
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated.

Step by step instructions

1. Preheat and prepare. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it so the bake won’t stick.

2. Roll and divide the dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a rectangle. Slice the rectangle in half so you have two equal pieces for two bakes.

3. Add the dressing base. Divide the blue cheese dressing between the two dough pieces and spread it down the center of each piece to create a flavor base. The dressing helps keep the filling moist and adds the classic buffalo-salad flavor.

4. Make the filling. In a bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken, chopped celery, shredded carrots, and chopped green onions. Toss with the buffalo sauce until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the sauce amount if you prefer milder or spicier.

5. Assemble. Divide the filling evenly between the two dough pieces, placing it on top of the dressing. Sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese over the filling for heat and meltiness.

6. Seal and shape. Roll the dough over the filling to enclose it. Fold one edge over and then the other to seal the seam so the filling stays inside while baking. Pinch the ends shut and tuck seams underneath for a tidy loaf shape.

7. Season the crust. Stir the melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley, then brush this mixture over the top of each chicken bake. This step creates a buttery, flavorful crust that browns beautifully in the oven.

8. Bake. Place the prepared bakes on the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove briefly, sprinkle the top with the grated parmesan cheese, then return to the oven for an additional 5–10 minutes. Bake until the crust is light golden brown and crispy at the edges.

9. Rest, slice, and serve. Let the bakes rest 2–3 minutes after removing from the oven so the filling settles. Slice in half to serve as a hearty sandwich or slice into smaller portions for finger-food style appetizers. Garnish with additional green onions if desired and serve with extra blue cheese or ranch for dipping.

More recipes with buffalo sauce

If you love buffalo flavor, try these recipe ideas for more inspiration:

• Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Penne
• Keto Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
• Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
• Buffalo Chicken Dip Bread Bowl
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
• Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
• Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Alfredo
• Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving (serving size assumes this recipe serves 4):

• Calories: 464 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg
• Sodium: 1719 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Calcium: 217 mg
• Iron: 3.3 mg

Notes & tips

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut or shred leftover cooked chicken.
• Adjust the buffalo sauce to control heat—add more for extra spice or less for a milder bake.
• To make ahead: assemble and refrigerate the bakes for a few hours, then brush with butter and bake just before serving.
• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2–3 days and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to preserve crispiness.
• Swap pepper jack for mozzarella if you want a milder, gooey cheese pull.