Description
This Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy shredded chicken infused with bold, tangy buffalo flavors, all cooked quickly and easily in a pressure cooker. Perfect for sandwiches with ranch dressing and crisp iceberg lettuce, it’s a crowd-pleasing meal ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons butter
For Serving
- Buns
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté setting, add olive oil, and cook the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Then, turn off the sauté mode.
- Mix Sauce: Add Frank’s Red Hot sauce, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder into the Instant Pot. Stir the mixture well to combine all the flavors.
- Coat Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the Instant Pot and stir to ensure they are fully coated in the buffalo sauce mixture.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow 5-10 minutes for the pot to come to pressure before the timer starts.
- Prep Sides: While the chicken cooks, prepare the shredded iceberg lettuce and buns. Make ranch dressing if desired.
- Release Pressure: After cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release to remove any remaining pressure safely.
- Shred Chicken and Finish: Remove the chicken from the pot. Add butter to the sauce in the Instant Pot, letting it melt. Shred the chicken using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot and mix well to coat with the buttery buffalo sauce.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Assemble the sandwiches by layering the buffalo chicken on buns along with ranch dressing and shredded lettuce as desired.
Notes
- Cooking time includes pressure build-up and release.
- Use fresh chicken breasts for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust hot sauce to taste for preferred spice level.
- Butter adds richness and mellows the heat of the sauce.
- Can be served over rice or with veggies instead of buns for a low-carb option.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
