If you loved Nashville Hot Chicken, get ready to fall head over heels for its pizza cousin. Imagine a golden‐crisp crust layered with tangy tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and tender bites of spicy hot‐honey chicken finished with a cool, herbaceous ranch drizzle. This pizza delivers the perfect balance of heat, sweet, and creaminess in every slice.

I tested this on my family’s pizza night and watched jaws drop when they tasted that first hot-honey bite then begged me to make it again the next week!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Spicy-sweet hot honey chicken meets melty cheese and zesty tomato base for maximum taste impact.
Quick Ranch Drizzle: Homemade ranch comes together in two minutes, no special ingredients required.
Sheet-Pan Simplicity: No stone oven needed; bake on a standard pizza pan or rimmed sheet for crispy edges.
Shareable Fun: Cut into eight slices for parties, game nights, or an indulgent weeknight treat.

Equipment Needed

1 rimmed pizza pan or sheet pan (12–14″)
Mixing bowls (two)
Small saucepan (for hot honey)
Whisk or fork (for ranch)
Pastry brush
Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Timings & Servings

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yields: 8 slices (serves 4–6)

Nutritional Information (per slice)

Calories: 360 kcal
Fat: 16 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 16 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 780 mg

Ingredients

For the Hot Honey Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 oz), cut into 1″ pieces
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne (optional for extra heat)
Salt & pepper, to taste
¼ cup honey
1 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)

For the Pizza

1 store-bought pizza dough (12–14″) or homemade equivalent
½ cup pizza sauce or marinara
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish)
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional, for garnish)

For the Quick Ranch Drizzle

¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 tbsp milk (or buttermilk)
½ tsp dried dill
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat oven to 475 °F (245 °C).
- Line your pizza pan with parchment or lightly oil it.
Cook the Chicken:
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat; add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté chicken until cooked through and lightly charred, about 5–6 minutes.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to low; stir in honey and hot sauce until glossy and bubbling. Remove from heat.
Make the Ranch Drizzle:
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust consistency with extra milk if too thick; set aside.
Assemble the Pizza:
- Stretch or roll dough to fit pan.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over dough, leaving a ½″ border.
- Sprinkle 1½ cups of mozzarella, then evenly distribute hot honey chicken pieces. Top with remaining ½ cup cheese.
Bake:
- Transfer to the oven and bake 12–15 minutes, until crust is golden-brown and cheese is bubbly.
Finish & Serve:
- Remove pizza from oven; let rest 2 minutes.
- Drizzle ranch evenly over the top using a spoon or squeeze bottle.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro leaves. Cut into 8 slices and serve immediately.

Pro Tips

Crispier Crust: Preheat the pizza pan for 5 minutes before stretching dough on it.
Chicken Variation: Use leftover rotisserie chicken tossed in hot honey instead of cooking fresh thighs.
Spice Level: Increase cayenne in the chicken rub for a bolder kick, or omit for milder sweetness.
Make-Ahead Ranch: Ranch can be made up to 2 days in advance, just whisk before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a thicker crust?
Yes, just increase bake time by 2–3 minutes to ensure the center cooks through.
What if I don’t have pizza sauce?
Swap with marinara, barbecue sauce for a sweet-savory twist, or even pesto for a different flavor profile.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free pizza dough and ensure your hot sauce and pizza sauce are GF-certified.

Enjoy slicing into this spicy-sweet, creamy-drizzled pizza that’s guaranteed to disappear fast!

Ella Cooks