Name: Gluten Free Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 package of nashville hot chicken sausage; 1 gluten free pizza crust; 1/2 cup mozzarella; 1/2 cup cheddar; 2 tbsp parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup bread and butter pickles; 2 tbsp hot sauce; 2 tbsp creamy garlic spread

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I was diagnosed with celiac disease and lactose intolerance in my early 20s! I’ve been creating gluten free, dairy free and nut free recipes for years and this one is hands down one of my favorites!

This Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza is a recipe designed for busy weeknights or pizza night! It is easy meal prep. It’s incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner because it comes together in 15 minutes or less. If you love spicy foods, you’ll love this pizza!

This pizza takes approximately 20 minutes to make and will be your new favorite pizza for pizza night! I like to cut it into small appetizer slices for your next party. I love doing that with all kinds of gluten free pizzas, especially my gluten free bruschetta pizza and my gluten free gouda and spinach flatbread.

This recipe is gluten free and nut free. It can be made low fat, dairy free and vegan.

why you’ll love this recipe

Minimal prep: This nashville hot chicken pizza pre-made crust and pre-cooked sausage.
Simple steps: Just assemble, bake, and top.
Few ingredients: Short ingredient list, most likely have some on hand.
No chopping: No chopping required for most ingredients.
Uses pre-made crust: Saves time on dough preparation.
Quick cook time: Thin crust pizza cooks faster than thick crust.
Minimal chopping: Shortens prep time.
Easy assembly: No complicated layering or steps.
Everything cooks on the pizza crust: No need for extra pans.
Less mess: Less cleanup required.
Faster cleanup: Saves time washing fewer dishes.
Quick and easy: Ideal for busy weeknights.
Scalable recipe: I love to double or triple for a fun party appetizer.
Freezes well: Assembled pizza freezes well for later use.
Reheats well: Leftovers reheat well in the oven.

ingredients & substitutions

Nashville hot chicken sausage: This is pre-cooked sausage with a spicy nashville hot chicken pizza seasoning. You can substitute regular chicken sausage and toss it in hot sauce for a similar kick. You can also use gluten free chicken tenders, gluten free popcorn chicken, gluten free fried chicken, sautéed chicken pieces of shredded chicken. Make sure to top with extra hot sauce since the chicken is less flavored. My favorite are the al fresco Nashville hot chicken sausages.

Gluten-free pizza crust: Pre-made crust for people with gluten sensitivity. Regular pizza crust works too if you are not gluten free You can use any pizza dough or premade crust. Use pizza dough and a rolling pin to roll this into a fun shape! You can even use naan bread, pita bread or a baguette for a french bread pizza twist.

Mozzarella cheese: Classic pizza cheese for melty goodness. Any shredded cheese you like will work and give this a perfect cheese pull. You can use vegan or dairy free cheese as well. All of the vegan and dairy free options will be available at your local grocery store! I love the daiya mozzarella shreds the best.

Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharper flavor. Monterey Jack is a good substitute.

Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty topping. You can skip it or use grated Romano.

Bread and butter pickles: Sweet and tangy pickles. Any kind of dill pickle, pickle chips or butter pickles all work!

Hot sauce: Adds spice to make this a spicy chicken pizza. You can adjust the amount based on your heat preference. Use a traditional nashville hot sauce for authentic flavor. I like the primal kitchen buffalo sauce!

Creamy garlic spread: Adds a creamy garlicky flavor. Ranch dressing or sour cream are good substitutes. You can also use a garlic pizza sauce, a garlic aioli, alfredo sauce or white cheese sauce.

taste & texture

This nashville hot chicken pizza recipe packs a flavor punch. The spicy sausage and hot sauce bring the heat, balanced by the creamy garlic spread and melty cheese. The crunchy crust holds everything together. Tangy pickles add a surprising burst of flavor in every bite. It’s a fun twist on classic pizza with a bit of a kick!

directions

Prepare the crust. Some crusts will need to be prebaked. Prepare according to package directions.
On a cutting board, slice the Nashville hot chicken sausage into 1/2-inch rounds.
Spread the creamy garlic spread in random pools around the pizza crust, leaving some space between the pools.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the pizza.
Arrange the sliced chicken sausage evenly over the cheese.
Bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes. Use a pizza stone, pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Top the pizza with the bread and butter pickles.
Drizzle the hot sauce over the pizza to desired spice level.
I like to enjoy my Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza immediately!

expert tips & tricks

Add any of your favorite pizza toppings to the nashville hot chicken pizza such as red onions, spicy oil, pepperoni or arugula.
Add any extra seasoning to enhance the flavor of this pizza. You can add garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, black peppter or sea salt.
You can make in the oven, air fryer, on a pizza stone or in a pizza oven. Cook time will vary depending on the size of the pizza!

recipe variations

To make this nashville hot chicken pizza lower in carbs, swap the regular crust for a cauliflower crust
For a lower-fat nashville hot chicken pizza , use a low-fat mozzarella cheese and skip the creamy garlic spread altogether. Drizzle the pizza with a light vinaigrette dressing instead for added flavor.
To make this nashville hot chicken pizza vegan, use vegan sausage crumbles or marinated tofu instead of the chicken sausage. Opt for vegan cheese alternatives like shredded soy cheese or cashew cheese. Drizzle the pizza with vegan hot sauce and top with vegan ranch dressing for a creamy touch.

how to serve, store and meal prep

Once baked, slice the Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza into wedges and serve immediately for the crispiest crust. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the pizza slices for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.

For meal prep, I like to assemble the pizza on the crust without baking and store it tightly wrapped in the freezer for up to 2 months. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw the pizza in the refrigerator overnight and bake according to the package instructions for the crust. This way, I have delicious Nashville Hot Chicken Pizza ready whenever you crave it.