If you love bold flavors wrapped up in a crispy, cheesy package, you’re going to flip over this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe. These hand pies are the perfect game-day snack, quick dinner, or party appetizer that pack that classic tangy buffalo chicken flavor with melty cheese all tucked inside buttery pie crust. I absolutely love how easy they are to make, and how they disappear in minutes at my house — you’ll find they’re a new favorite before you know it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: The classic Buffalo sauce mixed with creamy cheese and tender chicken creates an unbeatable combo.
- Easy to Make: You only need a handful of ingredients and about 35 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfectly Portable: These hand pies are great for on-the-go meals or casual gatherings.
- Customizable: Switch up the cheeses or add veggies — there’s room to make this recipe your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to give you that warm, cheesy, spicy buffalo chicken filling inside a flaky crust. I always look for fresh chicken breasts and good-quality pie crusts to help the final pies shine.
- Cooked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Using cooked and shredded chicken saves time; rotisserie chicken works wonders here.
- Cream Cheese: Brings a rich, creamy texture that balances the heat.
- Buffalo Sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade sauce for just the right kick.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharpness here enhances the buffalo flavor perfectly.
- Pie Crusts: Store-bought pie crusts make this recipe super easy and reliable.
- Egg: Optional, but brushing the crust with beaten egg gives a golden, shiny finish.
Variations
I love that this Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe is so versatile — I’ve mixed it up to match whatever ingredients I have or the dietary needs we’re juggling. Feel free to experiment, it’s all about what you like!
- Spicy Level Adjustment: Want it milder? Tone down the Buffalo sauce or swap for a milder wing sauce — my kids prefer this!
- Cheese Variations: Adding mozzarella or pepper jack can change things up; I once made a version with blue cheese crumbles for that true Buffalo wing experience.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with shredded jackfruit or seasoned cauliflower for a fun meatless twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pie crusts so nobody misses out on these hand pies.
How to Make Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Buffalo Chicken Filling
Start by heating your skillet over medium heat. Toss in the cream cheese and shredded chicken, stirring until the cream cheese melts and coats the chicken beautifully. Then, pour in your Buffalo sauce and sprinkle in the cheddar cheese, stirring constantly for a couple minutes until everything melds together into a creamy, spicy, cheesy filling. The aroma at this point will have you eager to move on to assembling!
Step 2: Prepare the Pie Crust Circles
Roll out your pie crusts and use a large circular cookie cutter to cut out about 15 circles. Don’t worry if you have to reroll scraps — just try not to overwork the dough for tender results. For larger hand pies, you can cut bigger circles and shape differently; more on that in the notes below.
Step 3: Fill and Seal Your Hand Pies
Divide your buffalo chicken mixture evenly among the crust circles, keeping the filling centered or slightly to one side if making larger pies. Lightly wet the edges of each crust with water, then fold over and seal tightly either by pinching or pressing with a fork. Don’t skip the little slits in the top crust to vent steam during baking — they help keep the pies crisp.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Gorgeous
Place the hand pies on a baking sheet. If you want, brush the tops with a beaten egg for a gorgeous golden sheen. Bake in your preheated 400°F oven for 17-20 minutes, until they’re nicely puffed and a beautiful golden brown. I always let mine cool a few minutes first — the filling can be seriously hot!
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: When I’m short on time, shredded rotisserie chicken works great and adds extra flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Vent Slits: Cutting small slits on top prevents sogginess and keeps the crust crisp.
- Egg Wash for the Win: A quick brush of egg wash makes the crust gorgeous and shiny, plus amps that bakery look.
- Seal Edges Firmly: Pinch or fork-press tightly to avoid leaks during baking — it saved me from messy cleanups more than once!
How to Serve Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my buffalo hand pies with a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or parsley — it adds a fresh pop of color and balances out the richness. A few celery sticks on the side with a dollop of ranch or blue cheese dressing is my go-to for that classic Buffalo vibe.
Side Dishes
These hand pies pair wonderfully with crunchy sides like a fresh garden salad, or creamy coleslaw for a cool contrast. Sometimes I whip up some sweet potato fries to round out the meal — the sweetness complements the spicy filling perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to arrange the hand pies on a platter with small bowls of ranch and blue cheese dips. You can also serve mini versions as bite-sized appetizers, perfect for cocktail parties. Wrapping each pie with a little parchment or placing them in cute paper liners makes serving a breeze and adds a fun touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which might surprise you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually reheat just one or two so they stay crisp and fresh.
Freezing
I love freezing these hand pies for quick meals later. After assembling, place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 2 months. When you want them, just bake from frozen — add a few minutes to the baking time and you’re good to go.
Reheating
To get the best texture when reheating, I pop the hand pies in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the crust is crisp again. Avoid microwaving if you can, since that can make the crust soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw, cook, and shred the chicken before mixing it with the other ingredients. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic time-saver.
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What if I don’t have pie crust on hand?
You can try puff pastry or even biscuit dough as alternatives. Puff pastry gives a flakier texture, while biscuit dough creates a more biscuit-like crust – both work well with the buffalo filling.
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How spicy are these hand pies?
The spice comes from the Buffalo sauce you choose; you can adjust the heat by selecting a mild, medium, or hot variety. Adding cream cheese balances the heat out nicely.
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Can I prep these ahead and bake later?
Yes! Assemble the pies, cover them tightly, and keep them in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Just add a minute or two to the baking time to ensure they’re cooked through.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe is one I’ve come back to again and again because it’s just so darn tasty and easy to make. They bring so much comfort with that spicy, cheesy filling wrapped in a crispy, flaky crust. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something cozy for dinner, these hand pies deliver every time. Give them a try — I promise they’re a game-changer you’ll want to make on repeat!
Print
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15 small hand pies
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies are a delightful and savory snack or meal option featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with creamy cheese and spicy Buffalo sauce, all enclosed in a flaky pie crust. Perfect for game day, parties, or a flavorful snack, these hand pies are baked to golden perfection with a crispy crust and gooey filling.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Crust
- 2 pie crusts
Optional
- 1 egg (lightly beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to ensure it is hot enough for baking the hand pies to a golden brown crisp.
- Prepare filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the cream cheese and cooked shredded chicken. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts completely and blends well with the chicken.
- Add Buffalo sauce and cheese: Pour in the Buffalo sauce and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for another minute or two, stirring until the cheese melts and the mixture is uniformly blended.
- Cut pie crusts: Using a large circular cookie cutter, cut out 15 circles from the pie crusts. You may need to re-roll the dough after cutting the first batch to get all 15 circles. For larger hand pies, adjust cutting accordingly as noted in recipe tips.
- Assemble hand pies: Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the pie crust circles. Place the filling in the center for smaller pies or to one side for larger pies, leaving approximately a 1/4-inch border around the edges.
- Seal edges: Moisten the edges of the pie crust with water. Fold the crust over the filling and seal by pinching the edges together tightly or pressing with the tines of a fork.
- Vent and egg wash: Cut a few small slits on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape during baking. Brush the tops with lightly beaten egg if using, to achieve a shiny golden finish.
- Bake: Place the hand pies on a baking sheet and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the crusts turn golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and serve: Let the hand pies cool for a few minutes after baking to allow filling to set slightly. Then enjoy warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Hand Pies are versatile and can be served as appetizers, snacks, or a main course.
- For larger hand pies, cut fewer but larger crust circles and increase filling accordingly.
- Allow pies to cool slightly before eating to avoid burns from hot filling.
- You can substitute cream cheese with a lower-fat version or use a different cheese like Monterey Jack for variation.
- Use homemade or store-bought pie crust based on convenience and preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 198 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 448 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 46 mg
