Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot cheesy chicken pasta is creamy, hearty, and the perfect comfort dish. It is the perfect quick and easy dinner thanks to the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
If your family are fans of cheesy noodle dishes, then this Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta is perfect for your family! This dish is so easy to make and it is loaded with so much cheesy goodness, you can’t help but fall in love with it at first bite. This is the perfect meal that is ready to eat in under 30 minutes. Your family will love this dish because it is super cheesy, has tons of chicken, and is super filling! For more cheesy dishes you want to be sure and try our Velveeta Mac and Cheese and our Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.
What do I need to get started?
- Butter
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Mustard powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Pepper
- Chicken breast – or thighs
- Chicken stock
- Penne pasta – pastas have different cooking times, this pasta dish is using penne
- Heavy cream
- Cream cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Broccoli florets – or peas, or other vegetable
- Colby jack – any cheese you prefer
- Crushed red pepper flakes
How to Make Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
- Turn the instant pot on to saute and put the butter in the pan to melt.
- Combine the paprika, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper together in a ziplock bag and shake.
- Add the chicken to the bag and shake till all the chicken is coated.
- Add the chicken to the melted butter and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and the pasta to the pan and stir.
- Place the lid on the pan, making sure the vent is sealed.
- Set the instant pot to high pressure for 3 minutes. It will take a little bit for the pressure to build up, and the food will be cooking while the pressure builds.
- When the timer is finished, do a quick release and carefully open the pot. CAUTION: Hot steam will escape and can burn the skin, keep back and use a dish towel if necessary to block the steam.
- Turn the pan back on to Saute and add the cream cheese to the noodles. Place the lid on the pan for 2 minutes. Turn OFF the instant pot.
- Add the broccoli and place the lid back on the pan. Allow the broccoli to steam for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and gently stir the cream cheese and broccoli into the noodles.
- Add the heavy cream, Colby jack, and half the parmesan cheese to the pot, toss to combine, and allow the cheese to melt and the cream to get warm.
- Serve each plate with a sprinkle of parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, and some fresh basil.
Tips Tricks and FAQs
- When you add the noodles to the Instant Pot it is important to make sure they are all submerged in the liquid to ensure they cook correctly.
- If your family is not a fan of broccoli, you can easily omit this from the recipe.
- Feel free to add in extra vegetables if you prefer.
- With a quick release, place a kitchen towel over the instant pot to prevent escaping steam from burning you, then quickly turn the valve to open and allow the pressure to totally release before removing the lid.
Storage
You will want to store your leftover Instant Pot Cheesy chicken pasta in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily omit the chicken in this dish to make it vegetarian. I would add in extra vegetables or you can just make a really delicious dish of cheesy noodles.
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
You can make this dish with gluten-free pasta. I do recommend if you do use gluten-free pasta that you cook it on the stove and then add it to this dish. Gluten-free pasta does take longer to cook so you want to make sure it is cooked enough prior to serving.
Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot cheesy chicken pasta is creamy, hearty, and the perfect comfort dish. It is the perfect quick and easy dinner thanks to the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Colby jack, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh basil, optional
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot on to saute and put the butter in the pan to melt.
- Combine the paprika, salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper together in a ziplock bag and shake.
- Add the chicken to the bag and shake till all the chicken is coated.
- Add the chicken to the melted butter and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and the pasta to the pan and stir.
- Place the lid on the pan, making sure the vent is sealed.
- Set the instant pot to high pressure for 3 minutes. It will take a little bit for the pressure to build up, and the food will be cooking while the pressure builds.
- When the timer is finished, do a quick release and carefully open the pot. CAUTION: Hot steam will escape and can burn the skin, keep back and use a dish towel if necessary to block the steam.
- Turn the pan back on to Saute and add the cream cheese to the noodles. Place the lid on the pan for 2 minutes. Turn OFF the instant pot.
- Add the broccoli and place the lid back on the pan. Allow the broccoli to steam for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and gently stir the cream cheese and broccoli into the noodles.
- Add the heavy cream, Colby Jack, and half the parmesan cheese to the pot, toss to combine, and allow the cheese to melt and the cream to get warm.
- Serve each plate with a sprinkle of parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, and some fresh basil.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 686mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 30g