Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are my go-to answer for a crave-worthy, healthy dinner that’s ready in a flash. Spicy, juicy shredded buffalo chicken, snuggled in cool, crisp lettuce and finished with your favorite creamy dressing—this is seriously everything you want when you’re after flavor, ease, and a satisfying meal (with half the effort you’d expect!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightning-Fast Weeknight Meal: All you need is about 20 minutes from start to finish—a total lifesaver on busy nights or when hangry strikes.
- Big, Bold Flavors: Spicy, tangy buffalo sauce meets cooling lettuce and creamy dressing for a combination that never gets old.
- Naturally Light & Gluten-Free: Serving the chicken in crisp lettuce keeps things fresh, light, and perfect for gluten-free eaters or anyone looking for a healthier alternative.
- Customizable for Everyone: Pile on your favorite toppings—veggies, cheese, extra hot sauce, or dressing—to make each wrap your own perfect bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps is how they prove that you don’t need a laundry list of ingredients to make something truly crowd-pleasing. Every item here brings something special: freshness, crunch, spice, creaminess, or pure comfort!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Lean, quick-cooking protein that soaks up all that bold buffalo flavor—plus it shreds like a dream.
- Celery, diced (for the chicken): Adds crunch and subtle earthiness, plus that classic buffalo pairing.
- Onion, diced: Delivers a gentle sweetness that balances heat and rounds out the sauce.
- Carrot, diced (for the chicken): Infuses a little color and sweetness and softens to perfection in the pot.
- Buffalo wing sauce: The bold, spicy backbone of the dish—a store-bought favorite or your own homemade version (you really can’t go wrong).
- Bib lettuce leaves: Buttery, tender, and big enough to hold a generous scoop of chicken, these make the wraps extra refreshing.
- Grated carrot (for serving): Adds fresh flavor and a pop of color on top.
- Celery, diced (for serving): Doubles the crunch factor and stays crisp when sprinkled over the wraps.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing: Creamy, cooling—absolutely essential for the perfect buffalo chicken bite!
Variations
One of the best parts about Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps is just how easy they are to tweak—so you can craft your dream version by swapping sauces, proteins, or toppings. Never underestimate the fun of mixing things up!
- Swap the Protein: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juicy bites, or use rotisserie chicken for an ultra-quick shortcut.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based ranch or blue cheese dressing and double-check your buffalo sauce for hidden dairy.
- Add Extra Veggies: Toss in some roasted bell peppers or shredded cabbage either inside the Instant Pot or as a topping.
- Bump Up the Heat: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or a splash of extra hot sauce if you want your wraps extra spicy.
- Wrap Alternatives: Try iceberg leaves for extra crunch, or serve the buffalo chicken over cauliflower rice for a bowl-style twist!
How to Make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Step 1: Prep Your Instant Pot
Add your boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly to the Instant Pot along with the diced celery, carrot, onion, and that glorious cup of buffalo wing sauce. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the sauce gets under the chicken, which helps it cook evenly and soak up max flavor.
Step 2: Cook and Shred
Secure the lid, seal the pressure valve, and set your Instant Pot to manual for 10 minutes. Once the timer beeps, you can either let the pressure release naturally (great if you’re multitasking) or carefully do a quick release. Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and use two forks to shred it while it’s still steaming hot—the texture will be absolutely perfect for wrapping!
Step 3: Toss and Coat
Return the shredded chicken back into the pot with all the veggie-packed buffalo sauce. Stir thoroughly to make sure every single piece is saturated in spicy goodness. This step is where the magic really happens—the flavors become deep, bright, and completely irresistible.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Lay out your bib lettuce cups and spoon in a generous mound of buffalo chicken (think about ¼ to ⅓ cup per wrap). Top with freshly grated carrot and diced celery for crunch and color, then finish with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese. Serve immediately, and get ready for big smiles at the dinner table!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Try to arrange the chicken in a single layer for even cooking and tender shredding every time.
- Shred While Warm: Shredding the chicken right out of the pot makes it super easy—the hotter, the more it just falls apart into those juicy strands.
- Let the Chicken Rest in the Sauce: Once shredded, let it soak for a couple of minutes in the spicy liquid—this boosts flavor and keeps your chicken extra moist.
- Lettuce Leaf Pro-Tip: Dry lettuce leaves thoroughly and layer two together for each wrap if you want extra hold and fewer sauce drips!
How to Serve Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Garnishes
Top your wraps generously with crisp carrot, extra diced celery, and a hearty drizzle of cool ranch or creamy blue cheese. Freshly chopped chives or green onions are wonderful for a pop of color and a little bite, while an extra dash of hot sauce will make spice lovers swoon.
Side Dishes
For the ultimate buffalo night, pair these lettuce wraps with crunchy oven fries, sweet potato wedges, or a bright cucumber salad. If you’re keeping things low-carb, a simple bowl of coleslaw or sliced avocado is super refreshing alongside the bold, spicy chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange all your wrap fillings on a big platter and let everyone build their own (perfect for parties!). Or try serving the buffalo chicken filling inside mini iceberg “cups” for a tasty game-day appetizer. If you’ve got leftovers, tuck them into pita halves or over rice for fun meal-prep lunches later in the week.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover shredded buffalo chicken (separately from the lettuce) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It makes delicious wraps or sandwiches for speedy lunches all week long—just keep your garnishes and dressing on the side until ready to serve.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, the buffalo chicken mixture can be frozen after cooking and shredding. Let it cool completely, then pop it into a freezer-safe bag or container; it’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. Thaw gently in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the shredded chicken gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of extra buffalo sauce or chicken broth to keep things moist. Once hot, just spoon back into fresh lettuce cups and top as usual!
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen chicken breasts! Increase the cooking time to about 14-15 minutes and make sure the chicken is separated (not one solid block) for even cooking. The Instant Pot will take a bit longer to come to pressure but the end result will be just as tasty.
-
Are these lettuce wraps spicy?
They do have a lovely kick from the buffalo sauce, but the heat level is totally customizable! Simply use a milder sauce, add less, or balance it with extra ranch or blue cheese if you prefer things on the lighter side.
-
Which lettuce is best for Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps?
Bib or butter lettuce is my favorite for its sturdy yet tender leaves, but iceberg, romaine hearts, or even little gem work beautifully. The key is picking leaves big enough to hold your filling and dressings without tearing.
-
Can I make Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken ahead of time for meal prep?
Definitely! The shredded chicken keeps well for four days in the fridge and is perfect for assembling wraps, sandwiches, or salads when you need something quick. Just store chicken and toppings separately and assemble fresh for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hunting for a meal that’s seriously satisfying, easy, and bursting with flavor, Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are sure to become a household favorite. Give them a try this week—you’ll love how effortlessly they come together and how completely irresistible every spicy, crunchy bite can be!
Print
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for a quick dinner or a flavorful appetizer. The tender shredded buffalo chicken wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves with crunchy veggies and creamy dressing is a flavor-packed delight!
Ingredients
For shredded buffalo chicken
- 1.25 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce, see notes for homemade recipe
For serving
- 12 bib lettuce leaves
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- For chicken – Using the Instant Pot, add chicken breasts, celery, carrot, onion, and buffalo sauce. Close lid, seal pressure valve, and set on manual for 10 minutes. When done, shred the chicken and mix it back with the sauce.
- For serving – Scoop chicken into lettuce wraps, add grated carrots, diced celery, and dressing. Serve immediately!
Notes
- For a homemade buffalo wing sauce, combine hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt in a saucepan over low heat until well combined.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lettuce wrap
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
