Introduction

Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza combines the bold, fiery flavors of classic Nashville hot chicken with the comforting appeal of a cheesy pizza. This creative dish offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tang, topped with crunchy pickles and sweet onions for extra zing.

A round pizza cut into seven slices on a dark serving tray with a white marbled surface background, each slice topped with a golden-brown crust and melted cheese that blends with a layer of dark brown barbecue sauce and cooked meat chunks. On top, there are thin white onion slices spread evenly and bright green pickle slices placed individually on each slice. A wooden honey dipper is visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

16 oz raw pizza dough (store-bought or homemade equivalent)
2 tablespoons flour for dusting
8 popcorn chicken tenders, cooked & roughly chopped
½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons honey for drizzling
¼ cup Nashville Hot sauce (recipe follows)
Chilled dill pickle slices for topping
Chilled sweet onion slices for topping
Corn meal for dusting

For Nashville Hot Sauce:

½ cup + 3 tablespoons butter
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried black garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Step 1: If using a pizza stone, preheat it to 425°F (220°C) for at least one hour or while you prepare the pizza.
Step 2: Cook the popcorn chicken tenders according to package instructions. Allow them to cool, then roughly chop each tender into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Prepare the Nashville hot sauce: melt ½ cup butter over medium heat until frothy and slightly browned. Whisk in honey, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar until combined.
Step 4: Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, black garlic powder, and chili powder to the butter mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to low and cook an additional 15–20 minutes until thickened.
Step 5: Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter into the thickened sauce, remove from heat, and keep warm.
Step 6: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the pizza dough to about ¼ inch thickness and 12–14 inches in diameter. If using a pizza stone, transfer the dough to a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
Step 7: Brush approximately ¼ cup of the prepared Nashville hot sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the edges bare for the crust.
Step 8: Scatter the chopped popcorn chicken pieces over the sauce, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 9: Bake the pizza for 10–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 10: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with chilled dill pickle slices and sweet onion slices. Drizzle with honey as desired, then slice and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, toast the popcorn chicken tenders in the oven before chopping.
Use homemade pizza dough for a fresher taste, or experiment with whole wheat dough for a healthier option.
Adjust the cayenne pepper amount in the hot sauce to control the spice level according to your preference.
Substitute mozzarella with pepper jack cheese for an additional kick.
Try adding a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing after baking for a creamy finish.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to preserve crispness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust soggy.

How to Serve

A close-up image of a slice of pizza held by a woman's hand showing three main layers: at the bottom, a thick, airy, light brown crust with a soft texture; above that, a generous layer of golden-brown cooked meat with some crispy edges; on top, melted white cheese slightly browned and thin slices of raw white onion scattered around, finished with a bright green pickle slice placed in the center. The background shows the full pizza with similar toppings on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the Nashville hot sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling the pizza.

What can I use if I don’t have popcorn chicken tenders?

You can use cooked, shredded fried chicken or grilled chicken pieces as a substitute. Adjust the seasoning to maintain the heat and flavor profile.

Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 125 reviews

This Spicy Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza combines the bold, fiery flavors of classic Nashville hot chicken with the cheesy, comforting appeal of a pizza. Featuring a homemade-style Nashville hot sauce, crispy popcorn chicken, mozzarella, tangy pickles, and sweet onions atop a golden, crispy crust, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory goodness in every bite.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 1 large 12-14 inch pizza, serves 3-4 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza

16 oz raw pizza dough, store bought or homemade equivalent
2 tablespoons flour for dusting
Corn meal for dusting
8 popcorn chicken tenders, cooked & roughly chopped
½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons honey for drizzling
Chilled dill pickle slices for topping
Chilled sweet onion, sliced for topping

Nashville Hot Sauce

½ cup + 3 tablespoons butter
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried black garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Preheat Pizza Stone: If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven to 425°F (220°C) for at least one hour to ensure it’s thoroughly heated for a crispy crust.
Cook Chicken: Prepare the popcorn chicken tenders according to package instructions until crispy and cooked through. Set aside to cool, then roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Make Nashville Hot Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of butter until frothy and beginning to brown slightly. Whisk in honey, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar until combined. Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, dried black garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to low and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter until melted. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Roll Out Dough: Lightly dust a flat surface with flour and roll out the pizza dough to about ¼ inch thickness and a 12-14 inch round shape. If using a pizza stone, transfer the dough to a pizza peel dusted with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
Assemble Pizza: Brush about ¼ cup of the Nashville hot sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Evenly distribute the chopped popcorn chicken over the sauce, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top.
Bake Pizza: Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or place it on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Add Toppings and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with chilled dill pickle slices and sweet onion slices. Drizzle with honey to your preference. Slice, serve, and enjoy the spicy-sweet Nashville hot chicken pizza!

Notes

You can substitute the popcorn chicken with homemade fried chicken tenders if preferred.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the sauce to control the heat level.
Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust, but a baking sheet will work in a pinch.
Allow the Nashville hot sauce to thicken properly to avoid a soggy crust.
For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika on top before serving.

Keywords: Nashville hot chicken pizza, spicy pizza, hot chicken pizza, popcorn chicken pizza, Nashville hot sauce, homemade pizza