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    Home » Real Food » Instant Pot » Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

    By Kristen Chidsey | 25 Comments | Published August 11, 2019 | Updated June 14, 2020 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Jam-packed with flavor and a creamy, spicy sauce, Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken makes a perfect base for salads, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, and pizzas! With just a couple of ingredients and very little hand on time, you can have a large batch of perfectly seasoned shredded chicken in about 30 minutes!

    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken is an easy way to make delicious shredded chicken that has been seasoned in a creamy, spicy buffalo sauce.

    Use this simple recipe for Buffalo Chicken to make sandwiches, dip, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Tacos, and more!

    Shredded Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken in white dish next to carrots and celery

    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe is my family's #1 requested way for me to prepare chicken AND it is my friend's #1 requested item for me to make for parties. Everyone just loves it--and I love how insanely easy it is to make!

    Creamy, spicy, and full of flavor, not only is this Buffalo Chicken a flavor knock-out, it is one of the most versatile ways to prepare chicken breasts! With just a few affordable ingredients and about 30 minutes from start to finish, you can make a large batch of Shredded Buffalo Chicken that is perfect for sandwiches, dips, wraps, tacos, pizzas, and more!

    Not to mention this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken freezes great, meaning it is a perfect chicken recipe to use for meal prep!

    Ingredients Needed

    • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts--Boneless, skinless thighs can be used in place of chicken breasts if desired. Pro-tip: Be sure that each chicken breast is about the same size--that way the chicken will cook evenly. 
    • Pineapple Juice--Pineapple juice is one of my favorite flavors to add to shredded chicken. It adds a touch of sweetness and helps to tenderize the meat. It also is the perfect complement to the spiciness of the hot sauce. If you don't have pineapple juice, chicken stock will work in its place. 
    • Hot Sauce--I prefer Frank's Red Hot, but feel free to use your favorite cayenne pepper hot sauce.
    • Seasonings--To add flavor to this shredded chicken, add in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.
    • Cream Cheese--This is totally optional, but tames down the spiciness of the buffalo flavoring and makes a really creamy sauce. Omit if you need Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken.

    Step-By-Step Directions

    • In the inner pot of an Instant Pot, mix together pineapple juice (or stock), hot sauce, garlic, onion powder, salt, and paprika.
    • Nestle chicken in the seasoned liquid.
    • Close lid and turn vent to sealed.
    • Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 6 minutes for thin chicken breasts (6 ounces each), 8 minutes for standard size chicken breasts (8 ounces each), and 10 minutes for large chicken breasts (10 ounces each).
    • Allow to release naturally for at least 5 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, and then do a quick release of any remaining pressure if needed.

    Pro Tip: Set cream cheese out next to Instant Pot while the chicken cooks to soften. 

    Chicken Breasts in Instant Pot with Buffalo Sauce

    • Remove chicken from instant pot to a cutting board or large bowl.
    • Add in chunked cream cheese and place lid back on Instant Pot. The cream cheese will slowly melt into the sauce from the residual heat, as you shred the cooked chicken.
    • Shred the chicken using 2 forks, a stand mixer, or a handheld mixer. Get the tutorial for how to shred chicken using a mixer here.
    • Place the shredded chicken back into the inner pot of the instant pot and stir into the sauce.
    • If the cream cheese is not fully melted at this point, turn the Instant Pot to Saute and heat through--watching closely as to not burn the chicken.

    Shedded chicken with a creamy, spicy buffalo sauce in white bowl next to carrots and celery

    Storage

    If you have leftover buffalo chicken, be sure to refrigerate immediately. If storing past 3 days, allow the chicken to cool completely in the fridge and then freeze in 1-2 cup portions in air-tight containers/freezer bags to use for future meals. Defrost chicken in the fridge overnight before using.

    How to Use Shredded Buffalo Chicken

    • As the base for Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
    • Inside tortilla shells for Buffalo Chicken Tacos or in cheese quesadillas for a spicy spin on a classic quesadilla.
    • Instead of baked chicken, use this shredded buffalo meat on Buffalo Chicken Salad.
    • Serve with creamy coleslaw on buns for Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches.
    • Wrap up the Shredded Buffalo Chicken in a wrap with shredded carrots and ranch dressing for a simple wrap.
    • Instead of using raw chicken in Buffalo Chicken Casserole, replace with leftover Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken and decrease cook time by 10 minutes.
    • Take 2 cups of this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken and mix with ½ cup ranch dressing and 2 cups of cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and golden for a Buffalo Chicken Dip perfect for parties.

    Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

    • Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
    •  Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
    • Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken
    • Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

    Spice up Instant Pot Shredded Chicken with this creamy, spicy, yet easy Buffalo Sauce--and then let me know in the comments what you used it for!

    Bowl of Shredded Buffalo Chicken

    Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

    This recipe for Shredded Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken makes the perfect base for wraps, dips, pizza, tacos, or sandwiches.
    4.75 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes
    Pressure Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 31 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds chicken breasts or thighs boneless, skinless
    • 1 cup pineapple juice or chicken stock
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s Red Hot
    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened, and cubed
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Pour pineapple juice/stock into the inner pot of Instant Pot. Mix in hot sauce, garlic, salt, paprika, and onion powder.
    • Place chicken in seasoned liquid and place lid on pressure cooker, being sure vent knob is sealed.
    • Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 6 minutes for thin chicken breasts (6 ounces each), 7 minutes for standard size chicken breasts (8 ounces each), and 8 minutes for large chicken breasts (10 ounces each).
    • If FROZEN, Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 10 minutes for thin chicken breasts (6 ounces each), 11 minutes for standard size chicken breasts (8 ounces each), and 8 minutes for large chicken breasts (12 ounces each).
    • Allow to release naturally for 10 minutes, and then do a quick release if needed.
    • Remove chicken from liquid. And add in cream cheese to Instant Pot. Place lid on Instant Pot and let cream cheese warm through and melt into cooking liquid.
    • Shred chicken with 2 forks, hand held kitchen mixer or stand mixer.
    • Add chicken back to Instant Pot and mix into cooking liquid.
    • Serve as desired.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    • You can shred chicken right in your Instant Pot with hand held mixer if desired, just be wary of hot liquid splashing up onto you!
    • For low fat Shredded Buffalo Chicken, omit the cream cheese or cut in half. 
    • Use the shredded chicken within 4 days or freeze up to 3 months for future use.
    • Omit the Cream Cheese for Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken. 
    • See Instant Pot High Altitude Conversion if cooking 2500+ feet above sea level.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 958mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 333IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      December 12, 2020 at 8:20 am

      Can you make this without cream cheese?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 12, 2020 at 1:09 pm

        Absolutely! Kim! Just omit and it will turn out perfectly.

        Reply
    2. Stacey Lynn Kurtz

      August 25, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Hi. Just curious if I can add rice in with the chicken?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 25, 2020 at 3:19 pm

        Hi Stacey. First, you would need additional liquid for the rice to cook, and secondly, the rice would need a different cook time than the chicken therefore I do not recommend for this recipe.

        Reply
    3. Claudia

      August 24, 2020 at 5:50 am

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe and so easy. My son absolutely LOVES it. On of his first request from college was to make some and ship it to him!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 24, 2020 at 6:28 am

        I love hearing how much your family enjoys this recipe Claudia. Thank you for sharing and I wish all the best to your son at college.

        Reply
    4. Lisa Stauffer

      June 23, 2020 at 3:28 pm

      3 stars
      Great taste but too much liquid, almost soupy. Doesnt get absorbed back into chicken. Cant use as dip. Makes sandwich bread soggy. But again, really tasty!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 23, 2020 at 4:25 pm

        I am sorry you found this too liquidy. In the future, you can strain off the excess liquid before adding the cream cheese for a thicker sauce.

        Reply
    5. Tracy Santoro

      June 09, 2020 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      Huge hit with my family...and then passed on to other family members who thought it sounded great!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 09, 2020 at 2:27 pm

        I love hearing that Tracy! It is on my menu for tomorrow night.

        Reply
    6. Derek Williams

      February 02, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      Ah may zing!!!!!! I'm loving it thanks for bringing this to my life.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 02, 2020 at 5:20 pm

        WAHOO!! So glad you enjoyed so much Derek!

        Reply
    7. Jenn

      October 30, 2019 at 9:11 am

      I need to make this for a large group. Should I make 2 separate batches? Or can I double everything?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 30, 2019 at 9:26 am

        Hi Jenn! You should be able to double no problem (and cook time will remain the same!) Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. TIff

      October 23, 2019 at 2:52 pm

      Do you use frozen or thawed chicken?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 23, 2019 at 5:52 pm

        Hi Tiff! This recipe is for thawed chicken, if using frozen add on 4 minutes.

        Reply
    9. Ashley F

      October 09, 2019 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      I would never of thought to put pineapple juice! Love the addition of it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 10, 2019 at 7:27 am

        It really balances out the heat perfectly 🙂 So glad you enjoyed Ashley!

        Reply
    10. Amy Anderson

      September 23, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      Oh.My.Goodness. We loved this at my house!!! We also love the Buffalo Chicken Bake so I roasted some potatoes and put the shredded instant pot buffalo chicken on them with bacon and cheese and popped it back in the oven for a few minutes-YUM!! Thanks for all the great recipes 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 24, 2019 at 6:31 am

        YAY!!!! I am so happy Amy that you love this--and that you used it to make another one of my recipes. It has become a go to at my house 😉

        Reply
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