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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!

Instant Pot Buffalo chicken Mac and cheese in white bowl

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.

saute chicken and buffalo sauce in Instant Pot

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 mac and cheese on spoonI

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!

instant pot buffalo chicken pasta in white bowl with celery sticks and parsley

Looking for more Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken recipes?

Recipe for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

5 from 19 votes

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

By: Dee
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, and it cooks in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
pressure time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients  

  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed (2 large)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup Buffalo sauce, divided
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup heavy cream or ranch dressing
  • 3 ½ cups shredded colby jack cheese
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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

Recipe was made in 6-quart Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, but same amounts and time can be used for the 8 quart.
For Buffalo Ranch flavor, use Ranch dressing instead of the heavy cream.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!

I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe as much as we do!

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Recipe Rating




43 Comments

  1. Robyn says:

    How long should it pressure cook if doubling the recipe?

    1. Dee says:

      No need to adjust the time if you double the recipe — The cook time is the same. 🙂

  2. Donielle says:

    I loved this, the only thing I did was add a jalapeno. It was to die for!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks — so glad you liked it! I need to try adding your version next time!

  3. 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 Helen5 stars

  4. Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says:

    This will quickly become a new favorite for my kids!5 stars

  5. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says:

    I’ve got to try this tasty recipe soon!5 stars

  6. Jacque Hastert says:

    I wish I had a giant bowl of this right now. I love how creamy and cheesy it comes out.5 stars

  7. 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!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      My family absolutely loved it. The leftovers are even better! 🙂

  8. Jamielyn says:

    So so yummy! I’m craving mac and cheese now!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks, Jamielyn. I definitely need to make more! 🙂

  9. Anna says:

    Loving this kicked up mac and cheese!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks, Anna. This is probably my favorite! 🙂

  10. Cathy says:

    Love that creamy cheesy buffalo sauce!