Instant Pot Chicken Pasta
Before diving into the details of this delightful dish, let's talk pairings. Instant Pot Chicken Pasta is a great crowd-pleaser and can be complemented by various sides.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course pasta
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 568 kcal
- 16 ounces of penne or other similar pasta such as rigatoni or ziti
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups of chicken broth or water more flavor will come from broth
- 2 cups of marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ¾ cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup of freshly grated Mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons of fresh basil for garnish
- ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes optional, for those who like a little heat
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Next, add the chicken pieces to the pot. Season them with salt and pepper. Sauté the chicken until it’s just browned, about 3-4 minutes. You don’t need to cook it through at this stage; it will finish cooking during pressure cooking.
Step 3: Add the Liquids
Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce. Using a wooden spoon, scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is flavor you don’t want to waste! After that, stir in the Italian seasoning.
Step 6: Release the Pressure
Step 7: Add Cream and Cheese
Once the lid is removed, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheese. You’ll see the sauce come together beautifully. If you want a thinner sauce, you can add more chicken broth at this point.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
- Don’t skip the sauté: Browning the onions and chicken adds depth to the flavor.
- Use quality ingredients: The better your broth and marinara, the better your final dish.
- Mind the cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better and enhances flavor.
- Adjust the cook time: For whole-wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta, you may need to adjust the cook time slightly.
- Make it your own: Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers into the pot for extra nutrition.
Calories: 568kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 36gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 950mgFiber: 3g
Keyword Instant Pot Chicken Pasta