Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy and a little spicy. It’s an easy dinner recipe perfect for game day and fall potlucks!
It always amazes me when I hear people say Instant Pot recipes are bland. Seriously?! Friends, this Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe is packed with flavor!
As much as I love my traditional creamy mac and cheese recipe and my usual creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese recipe, I may just love this Buffalo mac and cheese even more. Why? Well, I pretty much love any recipe with Buffalo sauce, and it really does take the usual homemade macaroni and cheese to the next level.
I’m on a roll with the Buffalo recipes lately, but hey — it’s almost fall, y’all! Last week, I shared an easy Buffalo chicken dip recipe and a way to use up leftovers with Buffalo chicken wonton cups. So, Instant Pot Buffalo mac and cheese was next on the list!
The great thing about Buffalo chicken mac and cheese is that you can control the heat level by adjusting the amount of Buffalo sauce. And, you can turn this into a creamy easy baked mac and cheese recipe if you want!
How to make Buffalo chicken mac and cheese in the Instant Pot
To make Buffalo chicken mac and cheese in the pressure cooker, you cut up some chicken and cook it in the Instant Pot until it’s no longer pink.
Normally, I would use olive oil or vegetable oil here, but since we’re channeling all things Buffalo, I used butter, instead.
Then, you add a little Buffalo sauce, like Franks.
Next, add the macaroni, water and more butter. Then, pressure cook it!
After the chicken and pasta cook, add a little more Buffalo sauce, cheese and cream, and stir it all up. If you want to make Buffalo chicken ranch pasta, you can use ranch dressing instead of the cream.
Instant Pot Buffalo chicken pasta is perfect for game day and fall potlucks — or whenever you’re craving some creamy, cheesy, Buffalo mac and cheese!
Looking for more Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipes?
Recipe for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed (2 large)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce, divided
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or ranch dressing
- 3 1/2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE on Instant Pot, and when it reads HOT, add 2 tablespoons butter and chicken. Sprinkle with sea salt, and cook chicken until no longer pink, stirring frequently
- Pour 1/4 cup hot sauce over chicken, stir, then hit CANCEL to turn pressure cooker off
- Add uncooked macaroni and 2 tablespoons butter over chicken, then pour water over and around macaroni
- Place lid on Instant Pot, turn valve to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes. Pot will take about 10 minutes to pressurize, then cook for 4 minutes
- When pot beeps, do a gradual quick release to reduce liquid from spraying out of pot. When pin drops, remove lid, and stir
- Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of hot Buffalo sauce, 1/2 cup heavy cream, (or ranch) and gradually add cheese, 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each cup is added
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe as much as we do!
dawn fulton says
I have made this recipe at least three times! I made it tonight and I just wanted to thank you for this recipe… it never misses! I used pasta shells this time holds the chicken and cheese just right!
Thanks again,
Dawn
Dee says
Thank you so much, Dawn! I’m happy to hear this!
Maddie Bender says
Absolutely delicious and easy!!
Dee says
Thanks, Maddie. I’m so happy you liked it!
Jessica says
What is the difference if I dont have a pressure cooker, just my crockpot?
Dee says
It might be quicker and easier to do in one pot on the stove. I haven’t tried this in the slow cooker, so I can’t say for sure.
Lexi says
Can I use chicken broth instead of water for this recipe? Sounds so yummy!!
Dee says
Definitely — broth would add even more flavor!
Sholonda says
This is amazing! I needed a quick meal for a potluck- this was so easy and everyone loved it! 5 stars:)
Dee says
Awesome, Sholonda! So glad it was a hit with everyone!
Anne says
Just made this for a potluck at work and everyone loved it!
Dee says
I’m thrilled to hear that, Anne! Thanks so much!
Briana says
I made this for dinner and loved it so much, so I decided to make for a potluck at my office. Everyone there loved it so much-it was gone in seconds!
Dee says
Awesome! Thanks so much, Briana!
Bailey says
Made this for the family and everyone loved it!
Dee says
Awesome! Thanks, Bailey — so glad you liked it.
Dana says
I had this for dinner and it tasted absolutely fantastic! So creamy and just the right amount of kick. Made great leftovers for lunch the next day, too!
Dee says
So happy to hear this, Dana! Thanks so much!
James says
A great “adult” mac n cheese recipe! This will be a new family favorite.
Dee says
Thanks, James! Even my kiddos like this one!
Bernard says
This was the first recipe I made with my new instant pot I got today; it was DELICIOUS!!!
Dee says
So glad you liked it, Bernard. Thanks so much!
Melissa J says
To 1/2 the recipe do I need to adjust to cook time?
Dee says
No — The cook time stays the same.
Robyn says
How long should it pressure cook if doubling the recipe?
Dee says
No need to adjust the time if you double the recipe — The cook time is the same. 🙂
Donielle says
I loved this, the only thing I did was add a jalapeno. It was to die for!
Dee says
Thanks — so glad you liked it! I need to try adding your version next time!
Miz Helen says
We love the Buffalo flavor and this looks delicious! Hope you are having a good week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
This will quickly become a new favorite for my kids!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I’ve got to try this tasty recipe soon!
Jacque Hastert says
I wish I had a giant bowl of this right now. I love how creamy and cheesy it comes out.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house! This is seriously making me hungry!
Dee says
My family absolutely loved it. The leftovers are even better! 🙂
Jamielyn says
So so yummy! I’m craving mac and cheese now!
Dee says
Thanks, Jamielyn. I definitely need to make more! 🙂
Anna says
Loving this kicked up mac and cheese!
Dee says
Thanks, Anna. This is probably my favorite! 🙂
Cathy says
Love that creamy cheesy buffalo sauce!