Instant Pot Alfredo Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Alfredo Chicken Pasta- A quick family meal made from scratch in just one pot!

Say hello to the cheesy, comforting goodness of Instant Pot Alfredo Chicken Pasta – a one-pot wonder with chicken breast, cream, spaghetti & parmesan Cheese.

A comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy! This recipe promises to become your go-to for busy weeknights or whenever the craving for a cheesy, comforting meal strikes.

The classic Alfredo chicken pasta, made in the instant pot, very easily, in one shot. The sauce, pasta, and chicken cook together, making this recipe truly effortless!

But the best part? It's made from scratch! No need for store-bought Alfredo sauce filled with preservatives. With simple, fresh ingredients, you can enjoy a homemade dinner that's both comforting and wholesome.

So, whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, this recipe is foolproof. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a five-star restaurant.

It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser; once you try it, it's bound to become a regular on your dinner rotation. 

I have a couple of easy instant pot pasta recipes on the website. You must try my veggies-loaded instant pot primavera pasta, a one-pot chicken parmesan penne pasta, and creamy, sundried tomato and spinach-filled Tuscan pasta, all made in the instant pot!

Why make pasta in the instant pot

I often get this question- but why would you make pasta in the instant pot? Let me answer why

• Saves time - No boiling or draining of pasta is involved. 
• Minimal Cleanup -Everything happens in one pot, which means lesser work and minimal cleanup.
• Flavorful - In most instant pot pasta recipes, the pasta is cooked in the sauce, which makes the pasta well-seasoned, where the pasta soaks in the sauce.
• One Pot Recipe- Everything along with protein cooks in one shot. This means you don't have to make several elements or sides with this pasta.

Worried about overcooking? If you are worried about overcooking the pasta, then don't be. As long as you follow the recipe, you should get well-cooked pasta.

Ingredients

This one-pot meal can be made with simple pantry ingredients.

• Spaghetti or Fettucini
• Chicken Breast
• Parmesan Cheese
• Italian Seasoning
• Butter & Olive Oil
• Onion
• Heavy Cream
• Chicken Stock
• Salt & Pepper

Spaghetti

I have tried this recipe with a number of different kinds of pasta. I love making it with spaghetti or fettuccine noodles.

I shy away from using pasta made out of alternate ingredients such as chickpeas and edamame because they tend to cook differently.

Chicken

For this recipe, I have used skinless chicken breasts sliced thin. You can also use slightly thicker-cut chicken tenders instead.

 One super easy hack to cut chicken is to freeze the chicken breast for 15 minutes and slice it against the grain.

Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning with dried herbs and garlic powder is my most used seasoning for pasta. You can also add dried herbs separately.

Fresh garlic and herbs are also an option. You will have to saute these along with the onions to make them release max flavor.

Alternatives and Swaps

• Type of pasta - You can swap regular spaghetti with different pasta shapes. Any short pasta like shells or penne pasta will work too. Do not use fresh pasta. It will disintegrate completely.

The best way to arrive at this time is to look at the time given on the package. Usually, it is a range, for example- 9-12 minutes.In such a case, select the lower end of the range, halve it, and subtract 1 minute. That's your pasta cooking time.

• Swap out the Chicken - you can use precooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breast. In this case, you can skip the sauteing of the chicken step. Precooked deli meat, ham, and sausage are also a great quick option. 
• Dairy- This dish is heavy on dairy, and swapping it out for lactose-free options 
• Vegetables - To make it more healthy and hearty, you can add peas, green beans, and carrots too.

How to Make Alfredo Pasta in the Instant Pot

Equipment note- Beyond the instant pot, you only need a spatula to make this chicken alfredo instant pot recipe.

Step 1:Prep

Measure out the liquids and the pasta. You must get this right. Otherwise, the pasta can be over or undercooked.

Also, slice the chicken breast as thin as possible. Once the chicken is cooked, the chicken pieces will double in size, so it’s best to cut it into thin strips.

The easiest way to do this is by sticking the chicken breast in the freezer for a bit. This makes slicing Uber easy.

Step 2: Saute

Heat the instant pot in SAUTE mode. To the inner pot, add butter and olive oil. We add olive oil so that the butter doesn't burn.

Add the chopped onions next and cook till they are soft. There is no need to brown it.

This will take about 2-3 minutes. Add the Chicken next and Saute it till it's partially cooked. It will change color from pink to whitish.

This step will give the pasta a lot of flavor, but if you are short on time, you can skip this bit and dump the butter, oil, onion, and chicken in the pot.

Step 3: Pressure Cook

The next step is to add the chicken broth. You can use water too, but chicken stock adds flavor. Make sure to rub the bottom of the pot so that no brown burnt bits of chicken or onion are stuck to it.

Feel free to use a stock cube or Better Than Bouillon too.

Add the salt and Italian seasoning and give everything a good mix. Now break the spaghetti into two and place it on the stock. 

Make sure you spread the spaghetti out. Press the top of the pasta down so that most of it is wet.

Close the instant pot. Select PRESSURE COOK, high pressure, for 3 minutes. This time will change if you use any pasta other than regular spaghetti.

The best way to arrive at this time is to look at the time on the package. Usually, it is a range, for example- 9-12 minutes.

In such a case, select the lower end of the range, halve it, and subtract 1 minute. That's your pasta cooking time.

Quick Release the remaining pressure after the pressure cooking time is over.

Step 4: Emulsify

Open the lid and add the cream and the parmesan. Switch to SAUTE mode. Give it a gentle mix.

If the sauce looks too watery, don't worry. Keep stirring. At this stage, the starch from the pasta will emulsify(thicken) the sauce and make a rich, creamy cheese sauce.

If after this, you feel the sauce is still too watery and the pasta is undercooked, cook it out for 2-3 minutes.

Serving

Serve the pasta hot, with a generous amount of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, alongside some crusty bread. We love making quick garlic bread in the air fryer as a side to pasta dinners.

You can also serve this with a salad like this quinoa arugula & avocado salad or a simple tossed salad.

As the pasta cools down, the sauce will thicken. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk to it.

If you like your food spicier, sprinkle red pepper flakes on top. You can also add a splash of hot sauce instead. 

Another brilliant topping that we love on this pasta is crispy leftover bacon bits. It just lifts the whole dish to another level!

Storing Leftovers

Who doesn't love leftovers? And this recipe is perfect for a packed lunch the next day!

You can store this instant pot chicken alfredo pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

I usually make a big batch and store the leftover in the refrigerator. To heat, add a tablespoon of milk and microwave it covered. The pasta will return to its creamy goodness in no time!

Popular Instant Pot Dinner Recipes

Here are some of my most popular instant pot recipes that make cooking on busy weeknights easy.

Instant Pot Primavera Pasta - veggie-loaded pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta - Pasta with red sauce
Instant Pot Tuscan Pasta - Creamy pasta with sundried tomatoes and spinach
Instant Pot Pasta e Ceci- pasta with Chickpeas
Instant pot Mexican Rice & Beans Burrito bowl
EASY JUICY Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas

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