Tangy, spicy Buffalo Chicken is SO fast and easy in the Instant Pot! You’ll use this moist, shredded chicken in more things than you can imagine. From sandwiches, to pizza, in soups and appetizer recipes.
If you love the flavor of Buffalo wings, this will become your new favorite chicken breast recipe!
It’s so fast and easy in the Instant Pot.
The moist, tangy, spicy shredded chicken can be used in so many ways! You’ll love it in this crostini recipe!
Jump to:
Recipe Ingredient Notes
- Buffalo Sauce (homemade or store bought)
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Salt and Pepper
- Unsalted Butter
Use Fresh or Frozen Chicken Breasts
The cooking time will accommodate either.
Note on Chicken Breast sizes
Lately I’ve noticed boneless chicken breasts can weight almost 1 pound each which require a very different cooking time than a normal 6-8 ounce size.
This recipe will accommodate any size.
Because the chicken will be shredded and cooks with a sauce, any size will turn out great.
What Buffalo Sauce to Use?
Homemade
I recommend using Homemade Buffalo Sauce. It’s fast and easy to make.
It’s has a full, tangy, spicy flavor AND it’s not overly salty as store bought sauces can be.
Store Bought
For a store bought option I recommend Franks RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce (see photos).
Franks Cayenne Hot sauce (used in my homemade Buffalo Sauce recipe) was used in the original Buffalo sauce. It’s seen as the secret ingredient!
I will add I find the sauce a bit salty BUT depending on how you use the buffalo chicken, you may not notice it.
Also for a spicier store bought option try Frank’s RedHot Hot Buffalo Sauce. For spicy heat lovers only.
A Delicious Cole Slaw Trick!
Blue Cheese and ranch dressing are both favorite pairings with buffalo chicken wings.
I have a little trick to get the full flavor combination when using this shredded buffalo chicken too!
It’s a Lazy Girl’s Cole Slaw method.
Combine store bought cole slaw mix (the greens) with ranch dressing OR blue cheese dressing INSTEAD of cole slaw dressing.
It makes a creamy slaw that adds both crunch and the classic flavor you’d dip buffalo wings in.
How to Make it – Step-by-Step
When cooking in the pressure cooker the sauce will thin out.
Some of the sauce (4 ounces) is reserved in the beginning to drizzle on the finished chicken or stir into it for a thicker sauce.
STEP 1: Salt and pepper the chicken breasts on both sides (photo 1).
STEP 2: Pour some of the 1 cup of buffalo sauce into the Instant Pot just to make a light coating of the bottom (photo 2). Add the chicken (photo 3) and pour the rest of the 1 cup of sauce over to cover (photo 4).
STEP 3: Seal the lid and vent. Pressure cook on MANUAL High Pressure for 15 minutes. When complete allow a Natural Release for 5 minutes followed by a quick release of any remaining pressure.
STEP 4: Remove the cooked chicken and shred using 2 forks or this shredded chicken method with a stand mixer. I don’t recommend a hand held mixer as it can pulverize the chicken.
Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and stir in with the sauce to coat.
Use as is or refrigerate with the sauce for later use.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken in a Slow Cooker
Salt and pepper the chicken as described.
Pour the whole 1 1/2 cups of sauce into the crock pot along with the butter pieces. Place the chicken in and turn to coat.
Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
Shred the chicken and place back into the sauce for 20 minutes to soak up the sauce.
How to Use the Buffalo Chicken
The possibilities are endless for how to use this!
- In a sandwich on bread or buns (regular or gluten-free)
- On pizza
- Tossed with cooked pasta
- Spice up cool crisp salad greens (adds some protein too)
- In soups
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- In lasagna instead of ground beef
- In quesadillas with loads of cheese
- Stuffed into celery and drizzled with ranch dressing
- In lettuce wraps
- In Stuffed Peppers
- Grilled Cheese sandwiches
- for Meal Prep with some rice and some of the sauce
How to Store
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Store with any sauce to keep chicken moist and from drying out.
NOTE: due to the butter some of the sauce may congeal when in the refrigerator. Warm in the microwave before using and the sauce will liquefy again.
How to Freeze It
After the chicken has cooled, add it with the liquid to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 4 months.
Pro Tip: freeze the chicken in portions sizes of 1 or 2 cups so the entire batch doesn’t need to be thawed at once.
To defrost, leave in the refrigerator overnight.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
- Buffalo Cauliflower
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
- Meatloaf in an Instant Pot
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Recipe
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless Chicken Breast fresh or frozen
- ¼ teaspoon ground Black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 12 ounces Buffalo Sauce homemade or Franks RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce (1 12-ounce bottle)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Salt and pepper the chicken breasts on both sides.
- Measure out 1 cup of the buffalo wings sauce. Reserve the rest. Pour some out of the 1 cup into the Instant Pot to cover the bottom of the insert (about 1/4 cup; doesn't need to be exact).
- Place the chicken on top of the sauce. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken breasts.
- Add the butter on top.
- Lock the Instant Pot lid. Turn the valve to seal and select manual high pressure for 15 minutes (fresh or frozen chicken).
- When the cooking is finished, allow it to naturally release for 5 minutes, and then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken. Top with chopped parsley.
- Serve warm on your favorite buns with some ranch dressing, on a bed of greens, or in a bowl with white rice.
Slow Cooker
- Salt and pepper the chicken as described.
- Pour the whole 1 1/2 cups of sauce into the crock pot along with the butter pieces. Place the chicken in and turn to coat.
- Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through.Shred the chicken and place back into the sauce for 20 minutes to soak up the sauce.
- Shred the chicken and place back into the sauce for 20 minutes to soak up the sauce.
Erik says
What do you do with the remaining half cup of hot sauce?
Toni Dash says
Are you meaning the excess not used for the Instant Pot method? You can use it for anything you want to; other dishes or recipes.
Angela says
That was officially the easiest recipe involving meat we’ve cooked in the Instant Pot and it was a big hit. Thank you! I needed a quick use for some chicken and am a little burned out on bbq chicken and chicken tacos. But this! Fantastic. And the whole family loved it, even the child with some aversion to spiciness (the cabbage and ranch cooled it down enough for him). It was enjoyed by all. Thank you! Stocking up on buffalo sauce so we can keep this handy. 🙂
Toni Dash says
So glad to hear it Angela! This is a favorite in our house too!
Sandra says
This was a huge hit at my house! A new favorite for weeknights!
Laura Reese says
This recipe was so easy. Perfect weeknight meal.
Suzy says
This is the best way to cook chicken! So tasty!
wilhelmina says
This is a great weeeknight meal. So easy and just the right kick of spice. My family really enjoyed it!
Catalina says
What a great idea for dinner tonight! My whole family will love this recipe! Love how easy is to make it!
Dawn N says
Yum!!! I love buffalo chicken anything and can’t wait to try this out!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I know for sure this Buffalo Chicken is would be a huge hit in my house!
Natasha says
This was absolutely delicious and so easy to make! My family complimented me over and over on this meal! Next time I will make more and double up on the ingredients!