The easiest shredded buffalo chicken in the Instant Pot! Packed with bold flavors, easy to make and always the hit of the party. Less than 10 minutes of hands on time for this insanely easy recipe!

How to make Instant Pot buffalo chicken

For this recipe, we make the Instant Pot do all the work! Here’s all you need to do:

  • Throw the chicken in to pressure cook for 20 minutes
  • Whip up the easy homemade buffalo sauce
  • Shred the cooked chicken and discard the juices
  • Sauté the chicken with the sauce for a few minutes

With very little hands on time, you’ll be amazed by how much flavor is packed into this easy recipe!

Instant pot buffalo chicken shredded in a bowl with sliced green onions on top

Slow cooker option for this buffalo chicken

For those of you who don’t have an Instant Pot or if you just prefer the slow cooker, we’ve provided instructions in the recipe card notes below. You’ll just throw the chicken in to slow cook for three hours on high or six hours on low. After shredding the chicken and discarding the liquid, just saute the chicken in the sauce for a few minutes on the stovetop.

Shredded buffalo chicken in a bowl over greens and cauliflower rice with sauce on top

An easy homemade buffalo sauce

The buffalo sauce in this recipe is to die for! Easy to make and addicting, here’s a look at the ingredients:

  • Hot sauce – Use any brand you like, but our go-to is the original Frank’s red hot. It has simple ingredients and a vinegar flavor that’s perfect for this recipe.
  • Ghee – Provides a buttery flavor and it helps the chicken absorb the sauce when you saute it.
  • Nutritional yeast – Thickens the sauce and provides a little “cheesy” flavor without the dairy.
  • Lemon juice – Adds a little tang and balances out the sauce.
  • Seasonings – A little smoked paprika, garlic powder and sea salt to get some smoky depth of flavor.
Instant pot buffalo chicken shredded in a bowl with sliced green onions on top and sauce and onions on the side

Other easy Instant Pot chicken recipes

Your turn to make this insanely easy recipe

This shredded chicken smothered in homemade buffalo sauce is so good! We know you’ll love the bold buffalo flavor and we think this might be your new favorite healthy chicken recipe.

If you try it, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic to share on Instagram. Tag us @realsimplegood, we love to see what you’re cooking!


Bowl of buffalo chicken with spoon pouring on sauce and text at top

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Split image with text in middle. Shredded chicken in bowl with sauce pouring in on top and buffalo chicken over greens and cauliflower rice on bottom.

Bowl of shredded instant pot buffalo chicken with sauce pouring in from a spoon
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Insanely Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

The easiest shredded buffalo chicken in the Instant Pot! Packed with bold flavors, easy to make and always the hit of the party. Less than 10 minutes of hands on time for this insanely easy recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, (or breasts)

For the sauce:

  • 3/4 cup hot sauce, (like Frank's Red Hot)
  • 2 tbsp ghee, melted, (or coconut oil for dairy free)
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice, (about 1/2 lemon, can sub apple cider vinegar)
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Add broth and chicken to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and close the pressure valve.
  • Press the “manual” button (or “pressure cook” button) and set the time to cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Once the time is up, carefully quick release the pressure manually.
  • While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce by combining all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl or jar and mixing well.
  • When the chicken is finished, press the "cancel" button and remove the lid. Shred the chicken in the juices with two forks.
  • Using potholders, carefully remove the stainless steel inner pot from the Instant Pot. Drain all of the liquid from the pot. If you want to keep the broth for later use, pour the contents of the pot into a colander with a container underneath to catch the juices.
  • Place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and press the "Sauté" button. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat.
  • Simmer the chicken in the sauce for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press the "cancel" button. Serve chicken immediately or store it in a container for later use.

Last Step:

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Notes

  • To prepare this recipe in a slow cooker, simply cook the chicken in broth on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, shredding afterward. Drain the juices and transfer the chicken to a skillet and add the sauce. Simmer on medium-low for 5 minutes and serve.
  • Nutrition details provided are per serving and an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet. See our full nutrition information disclosure here
Calories: 360kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 46g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Fiber: 1g
Did you make this recipe?Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!
Insanely Easy Instant Pot Buffalo ChickenInsanely Easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken