I have been really excited to share this new recipe with you, as it has been a huge hit with those who have tried it already! It is a creamy, one-pot Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta dinner that cooks in about 30 minutes (including time to reach pressure). This Instant Pot chicken pasta will become one of your go-to pressure cooker pasta recipes. It’s not too spicy (my kids could handle it), but you can customize your level of kick in this Instant Pot Buffalo chicken by increasing the Buffalo sauce (see more details in my tips below). I can’t wait for you to try it! I developed this Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe as part of the Allrecipes Allstars Tastemakers program. Rate, review, and photograph my recipe for Instant Pot® Buffalo Chicken Pasta on Allrecipes here, or keep reading to see step-by-step photos and cooking tips. You can also scroll to the end to get the full Instant Pot buffalo chicken recipe at the bottom of this post.
Looking for more quick and easy Instant Pot recipes like this? You’ll love my cookbook, 30-Minute Instant Pot Cookbook! Get your copy now (available in both paperback and digital formats), and check out some sneak peek recipes from the cookbook and my other Instant Pot recipes here.
More easy Instant Pot pasta recipes
- Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Instant Pot Mushroom Prosciutto Pasta
- Instant Pot Bacon, Chicken, and Ranch Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Penne al Pomodoro
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta (easy taco mac and cheese)
- Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Primavera Pasta
- Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni
- Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta with Sausage
- Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
- Creamy Instant Pot Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Hearty Beef and Bean Pasta
- Creamy Instant Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
- Instant Pot Tuscan-Inspired Sausage Fettuccine
- Creamy Instant Pot Chicken and Mushroom Florentine
What you need to make this Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe
I’ve got the full list of ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post, but here’s what you will need to make this Instant Pot chicken pasta:
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in bite-sized pieces
- ½ of a medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 16-ounce package penne pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, cubed
- ⅓ cup Buffalo wing sauce (or ½ cup if you want more of a kick)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Crumbled blue cheese, to taste
How to make Instant Pot buffalo chicken
To make this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta, start by selecting the Sauté function on a multi-function electric pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot). Melt some butter or margarine in the pot, then add the cubed chicken and onion and sauté until the chicken is browned (about 5 minutes). Push cancel to end the Sauté function, then remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
Next, add the chicken stock to the pot, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden or plastic spoon to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the penne pasta along with salt and garlic powder.
Place the cream cheese cubes over the top of the pasta, but do not stir. Just leave ’em sitting right there on top of the pasta.
Return the chicken to the pot, layering it on top of the pasta (and again, no stirring).
Finally, pour the Buffalo sauce over the top of everything. And you guessed it… don’t stir!
Ingredient Tip: For even more of a kick, you can increase the Buffalo sauce to 1/2 cup.
Close and lock the pressure cooker lid, make sure the pressure/steam release switch is set to sealing, and set the cooking time to 5 minutes at high/normal pressure. It will take about 12 minutes for the pot to reach pressure before the cooking time begins. After the pressure cooking time ends, carefully release the pressure using the manufacturer’s quick release method.
After the pressure has released completely, carefully open the pressure cooker lid. This is what your Instant Pot chicken pasta will look like.
Next, add the Mozzarella cheese to the pot, stirring (yes, you can finally stir!) until the cream cheese and Mozzarella cheese have completely blended into the Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta sauce.
Let the pasta sit in the pot until the sauce thickens (about 3 minutes) before serving your Instant Pot chicken pasta.
Garnish the Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta servings with crumbled blue cheese to taste.
This pressure cooker pasta is SO good, and has just the right amount of kick!
Here’s the full Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe. Enjoy, and don’t forget to rate and review if you love it!
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
This creamy, one-pot Buffalo chicken pasta dinner cooks in about 30 minutes in your Instant Pot (including time to reach pressure)! For even more of a kick, you can increase the Buffalo sauce to 1/2 cup.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in bite-sized pieces
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 16-ounce package penne pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, cubed
- ⅓ cup Buffalo wing sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Crumbled blue cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Select the Sauté function on a multi-function electric pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot). Melt the butter in the pot.
- Add the chicken and onion to the pot and sauté until the chicken is browned (about 5 minutes). Push cancel to end the Sauté function, and remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the chicken stock to the pot, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden or plastic spoon to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the penne pasta, salt, and garlic powder.
- Place the cream cheese cubes over the top of the pasta, but do not stir. Return the chicken to the pot, also placing on top of the pasta. Finally, pour the Buffalo sauce over the top of everything.
- Close and lock the pressure cooker lid, make sure the pressure/steam release switch is set to sealing, and set the cooking time to 5 minutes at high/normal pressure. It will take about 12 minutes for the pot to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
- After the pressure cooking time ends, carefully release the pressure using the manufacturer’s quick release method.
- Open the lid and add the Mozzarella cheese to the pot, stirring until the cream cheese and Mozzarella cheese have completely blended into the pasta sauce. Let the pasta sit in the pot until the sauce is thickened (about 3 minutes) before serving.
- Garnish servings with crumbled blue cheese to taste.
Notes
For even more of a kick, you can increase the Buffalo sauce to 1/2 cup.
Vicky says
What is the nutritional value of this meal?
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
I’m sorry, but I don’t know.
Mel says
If I use Frank’s hot sauce instead of Buffalo sauce, would I use less?
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
I haven’t tried this, but it appears you can whisk the hot sauce with some melted butter to make it more like the buffalo sauce. So you can use a little less and mix it with some butter.
Amanda Prillaman says
I have the instant pot Pro crisp and never owned an instant pot before do i Sautee on high or low ??? Also when Sautéing do I stir the chicken.
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Hi Amanda! Enjoy your new pot! I sauté on high as a default, and yes, stir the chicken occasionally just like you would sauté in a pan on a stove top.
Amber Defauw says
This has become a family favorite. thank you so much for sharing! i can not express enough how much we love this!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
That means more to me than you know! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me. 🙂
Jessica says
I’m from Buffalo and loved this Buffalo pasta bake.!We do add butter to hot sauce for medium or mild wing sauce. But this was delicious as is. Thank you for the recipe!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Thank you for sharing! I love the butter idea!
Lisa says
I finally made this and I’m so happy I did! I used Franks Red Hot Wings Hot Buffalo. Thank you so much, this one’s a keeper!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Thanks for taking the time to share! It’s one of our favorites, too. I’m so glad to hear that you love it!
Kristina says
Do you have to soften the cream cheese ahead of time?
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Nope!
Scott Hager says
I made this tonight after instant pot was giving me error code on Sunday. Checked today and no code. Not sure what happened unless something got too wet cleaning it. Anyway, I used to make similar baked version but this is much better. Only change was I added sharp cheddar and 1/2 cup ranch dressing at end. Was outstanding and not too hot. I like hot but in last few months it doesn’t like me. Lol. Definitely making it again.
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
The ranch sounds like a delicious addition! I’ve got to try that next time. Yes, isn’t it great how nicely things like this can turn out in the Instant Pot? It stays so moist and doesn’t dry out like roasting.
Lauren says
We’re big fans of this recipe! We do it exactly as written (I can’t be held liable if extra mozzarella literally jumps into the pot of it’s on volition) and it is fantastic. 18 month old and picky husband approved!!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
I’m so happy to hear the whole family loves it! It’s a favorite of ours, too. You’d probably love my Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, too! I recommend trying that one next: https://fabeveryday.com/2021/03/instant-pot-cheesy-chicken-spaghetti.html
Linda says
So very delicious! Become one of my daughter’s favorites!
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you 🙂