Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
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This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe is the ultimate solution for busy weeknights. It comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Whether you use it for tacos, grain bowls, or doing meal prep for the week, this quick and easy chicken dish is a lifesaver.
There’s a reason buffalo chicken recipes always make it onto our weekly meal plan. It’s just so versatile.
This version is made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, your favorite hot sauce, and a pressure cooker. That’s it! You’ll love how tender and juicy the chicken gets in the Instant Pot, and how the zesty, buttery sauce soaks into every bite. It’s a go-to recipe when you need dinner fast but still want something that feels satisfying and full of flavor.
Even better? It’s totally meal prep-friendly. You can make a batch ahead of time and use it all week. Stuff it into tacos, make a buffalo chicken and rice bowl, or bake it into a buffalo ranch chicken casserole! The possibilities are endless, and the leftovers are just as good as the first bite.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my most important mom tested cooking tips for the most tender shredded buffalo chicken! We’ve made this countless times to ensure it turns out perfectly for you.
- Add sauce in stages for best flavor. Adding some buffalo sauce before cooking helps infuse the chicken with flavor, but saving the rest until after shredding keeps the sauce fresh, bold, and tangy. This two-step method ensures every bite is coated in delicious sauce.
- Shred while warm. Don’t wait too long to shred the chicken. It’s much easier to do while it’s still hot from the Instant Pot!
- Choose a sauce that fits your heat level. Buffalo sauces vary quite a bit in spice. If you’re making this for kids or spice-sensitive folks, look for a mild version.
Are you new to Instant Pot cooking? Making buffalo chicken in the Instant Pot is very simple! You can find more recipes like this in my roundup of easy Instant Pot recipes for beginners.
Instant download of our tips to cook the best chicken!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken: You can make this recipe with either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Buffalo sauce: I use homemade buffalo sauce, but if you have a favorite brand, that will work, too!
How to Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
This really couldn’t be easier! Here’s how to make this easy Instant Pot recipe:
This is just a summary of the steps. See the recipe card for full instructions! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Season the chicken and cover with buffalo sauce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then pour in about ¼ cup of buffalo sauce to give the chicken flavor while it cooks.
You don’t need to add extra liquid. Since many hot sauces are thin enough to prevent a burn warning, it should be fine. If your chosen hot sauce is super thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water or broth.
- Seal the lid, open the pressure vent, then manually set your pressure cooker to cook for 17 minutes on High pressure. When the timer goes off, do a quick release or a short natural release if you have a bit more time.
- Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. It’ll be tender and juicy.
- Return the shredded buffalo chicken to the Instant Pot, pour in the remaining sauce, and stir until every piece is coated in bold, spicy goodness. You can add more sauce if you like it extra saucy!
Serving Suggestions
I like Instant Pot buffalo chicken with:
- Rice or tortillas: Serve over a fluffy bowl of jasmine rice or spooned into warm tortillas for tacos.
- Salads: We also love it on salads with blue cheese or a homemade ranch dressing.
Make it kid friendly: If your kids aren’t big fans of heat, stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or a drizzle of ranch dressing after cooking. It cools down the spice and adds a creamy texture that little ones tend to love.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken FAQs
Yes, just increase the cook time to about 20-22 minutes. Make sure the chicken isn’t stuck together when you add it to the pot so it cooks evenly.
We make ours at home, but Frank’s Red Hot has a classic buffalo flavor. Any cayenne-based hot sauce will work. Just check the label. Some can be hotter than others!
Definitely. Just make sure the chicken is arranged in an even layer as much as possible. The cook time will stay the same.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Place chicken breast in an Instant Pot bowl. Cover with salt, pepper and ¼ cup buffalo sauce.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 17 minutes.
- When the timer finishes, release the pressure immediately. Using tongs, remove the chicken and add to a plate or cutting board and shred with two forks.
- Once shredded, place chicken back in the Instant Pot container and add remaining buffalo sauce and toss to coat. Add more sauce, if you’d like!
- Serve over salad, rice, or pasta!
