Ingredients

Instructions

1. Buffalo Sauce: Combine 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 4 tablespoons butter, 1 minced jalapeno and 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a saute pan over medium heat; let the butter melt, then cook 2 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank¿s RedHot), 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1/2 tablespoon each lime juice and white vinegar; bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
2. Spicy Chicken: Combine 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon each cayenne, celery salt and kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Slice 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts into thick strips; toss with 1/4 cup of the Buffalo sauce and arrange on a rack set on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the paprika mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
3. Pita Chips: Heat 4 inches canola oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot. Cut 8 pitas into wedges. Fry in batches until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt.
4. Blue Cheese Topping: Melt 1/2 cup crumbled smoked blue cheese with 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat; transfer to a bowl. Add 1/4 cup more blue cheese and 1/4 cup each sour cream and mayonnaise; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped chives and season with salt and pepper.
5. Make the Buffalo sauce, spicy chicken, pita chips and blue cheese topping (see above).
6. Spread half of the pita chips in a large baking dish. Top with half of the chicken, Buffalo sauce and blue cheese topping; sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of pita chips, chicken, Buffalo sauce and blue cheese topping; sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F until the cheese melts and the pita chips soak up some of the sauce, 5 to 10 minutes.
8. Garnish with chopped celery, sliced radishes and pickled jalapenos.
9. Photograph by Charles Masters