Name: Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings sauce); 2 tablespoons honey; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ cup water; 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (four 8oz breasts; can sub boneless skinless thighs)

This easy 4-ingredient Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken is a quick and flavourful recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, you’ll have pleasantly spicy shredded chicken that’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or served over rice.

I highly recommend serving it with my cooling, creamy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip!

Shredded Buffalo Chicken being taken from an Instant Pot with a pair of black and silver kitchen tongs, viewed from a high angle.

This recipe was originally posted July 2019. We’re sharing a new and improved recipe and photos in May 2025.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe is a staple at our house. We think you’ll love it too because it’s

Quick and easy to make using just 4 simple pantry ingredients, so it’s a great last-minute dinner option when you’re not sure what to make. The Instant Pot does all the work!
A versatile recipe with so many ways to serve it, from sandwiches to rice bowls.
Amazing for meal prep as it reheats nicely. We love having a protein ready to go in the fridge.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make pressure cooker Buffalo chicken. See the recipe card below for full details!

Chicken breast – boneless, skinless breasts that are about 8oz each. You can sub boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Buffalo wings sauce – I used the Frank’s RedHot brand. Use your favourite Buffalo hot sauce brand!
Honey – optional, but adds a nice bit of sweetness and complexity to the sauce.
Garlic powder – for flavour.
Water – the thin liquid needed to produce steam for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.

Ingredients needed to make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken on a dark wooden table, viewed from overhead with text label overlays.

How to make it

First, whisk together the Buffalo sauce, honey and garlic powder.

Next, pour the water into the insert, then layer in the chicken breasts. Pour the sauce over top of the chicken.

A four-photo process collage showing the steps to make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken.

Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Pressure cook on High for 15 minutes. At the end of cooking time, allow for a 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR), then quick release the remaining pressure.

Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate and shred with two forks. Add it back to the pot with the sauce and mix to combine until the chicken is nicely coated. See below for suggestions on different ways to serve it!

Tips for Success

Don’t skip the added water: we use a small amount of water to ensure there’s enough thin liquid for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. This is especially important for the 8-quart Instant Pot, as it requires more steam than the 6-quart.
Try to keep most of the Buffalo sauce on top of the chicken. We want to minimize the amount that touches the insert to help avoid a burn warning.
Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Don’t skip this step to save time! The natural pressure release helps the chicken stay juicy and tender.
Honey is optional, but recommended. You can skip this ingredient if you don’t have it on hand, but I highly recommend it. The bit of extra sweetness adds nice complexity to the sauce!

A closeup of shredded Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken being scooped from an Instant Pot by black and silver kitchen tongs.

Ways to serve Buffalo chicken

As a sandwich on a sturdy bun, with a side of fresh crunchy carrots and celery
In a lettuce or flour wrap
Make Buffalo chicken tacos or quesadillas
As the protein on a big green salad
Make a rice bowl, with a dollop of ranch dip and lots of fresh veggies

An open-face Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken sandwich, with shredded chicken piled high on Greek yogurt ranch dip and lettuce on a brioche bun.

More easy Instant Pot chicken recipes