This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is your answer to what’s for dinner! When you’re craving something creamy, comforting, and hearty then look no further than this delicious dinner recipe! The best part? The sauce, pasta, and chicken all cook together in the Instant Pot.
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Why you'll love it
It's easy to make. Just follow along with the step by step instructions for a delicious pasta Alfredo dinner that will rival that of your favorite restaurants! There's no pre-cooking involved with this recipe so it comes together quickly and without the fuss.
It's made with easy to find fresh and pantry ingredients. You may have many of these ingredients already in your pantry or refrigerator. If not, you won't have any trouble finding these readily available ingredients.
It's comfort food the whole family will love! My kids beg me to make this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo for dinner. Everyone loves how creamy and cheesy it is. The chicken adds a nice flavor as well as some protein to balance out the meal.
It's a one pot meal! One pot meals are my absolute favorite! Cook everything in the Instant Pot, even the chicken! Less clean-up means more time for other things like precious family time!
Ingredients
Step by step instructions
Mince garlic, cut chicken in half crosswise and cut butter and cream cheese into cubes.
Scatter garlic and butter into the bottom of the pot. Add broth.
Add 1 cup heavy cream. Pour pasta into the liquid, submerging the pasta with a spoon. Don't stir the mixture.
Place the cut chicken over the top of the pasta. Submerge into the pasta/liquid mixture without stirring. Season with salt and pepper.
Close and lock the lid and cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes. At the end of the cooking cycle, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, using the handle of a wooden spoon, press the steam release valve and release the remaining pressure. Use a kitchen towel to cover the valve to keep the steam from splattering all over the place. When the valve sinks back into the lid, you can safely remove the lid. Remove chicken to a cutting board and stir the pasta-it will be soupy! Don't worry, it will thicken up. Microwave the cream cheese then add it and the parmesan cheese to the pasta mixture, stirring to combine.
Shred or cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and add it back into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Add more heavy cream if you want it saucier, or add more cheese if you want it thicker.
Expert Tips
Be sure you're familiar with your brand of pressure cooker before making this recipe. Read the safeguards and understand the controls and features. I made this in the Instant Pot Ultra 60 (6 quart).
Substitute fresh garlic for 1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
Don't skip seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Otherwise it will be quite bland.
It's important to use one pound of fresh chicken. Using more or less will result in under or over cooked meat. This recipe wan't tested with frozen breasts, so if you try it that way, please leave me a comment letting everyone know your tips!
You can skip the chicken altogether, if desired. Or, add some leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken. Just cut or shred and add to the pot when you open the lid (after the pasta has cooked). Stir to combine and place the lid back on and let it sit for a couple minutes (if the chicken is cold, this will help warm it up).
If you prefer fettuccine noodles, break them in half first before adding to the Instant Pot.
I cover the steam release valve with a kitchen towel when releasing steam. It will keep the steam from splattering all over your counter top. Also, use the handle of a wooden spoon, not your hand, to release steam. The steam is very hot and can cause burns if not careful.
Sauce will continue to thicken upon standing.
More Easy Main Dishes
Creamy Sausage Pasta with Mushrooms
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Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter cut into small cubes
- 3 cloves garlic large, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream divided
- 8 oz farfalle pasta
- 1 lb chicken breasts cut in half crosswise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese finely grated, divided
- 2 oz cream cheese softened in microwave for 30 seconds
Instructions
- Scatter butter and garlic in the bottom of the pot.
- Pour in chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Reserve ¼ cup cream for later.
- Pour the pasta over the liquid, pressing to submerge as much of the pasta as possible. Don’t stir.
- Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken on pasta, pressing to submerge the chicken into the liquid/pasta mixture. Don’t sitr. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Close and lock the lid. Be sure the valve is in the sealing position.
- Select Manual or Pressure Cook to High. Use the dial to set the time to 6 minutes. When the cooking cycle has finished, allow the IP to naturally release for 5 minutes.
- Press Cancel. Manually release the remaining pressure by pressing the steam release valve. For best results, cover the valve with a kitchen towel and use the end of a wooden spoon to press the valve down to avoid burning your hand-the steam will be hot! When the float valve sinks back into the lid, it’s safe to open the lid.
- Microwave cream cheese until very soft, about 30 seconds.
- Open the lid and remove the chicken to a cutting board. Stir the pasta mixture (it will be quite liquidy, but will thicken up). Add 1 cup parmesan cheese and softened cream cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Shred or chop the chicken into bite sized pieces and add it back to the Instant Pot. Stir.
- If you want it “saucier” add some of the remaining heavy cream, a tablespoon of two at a time, stirring after each addition. If you want to thicken up the sauce, add more cheese. Use any remaining cheese to top the pasta before serving.
Jessica
Do you melt the butter before you add the broth? I’m making this tonight and I can’t wait! It looks and sounds delicious! Thanks!
Nikole Berg
I leave the butter unmelted. I will add that note to the recipe card, thank you for asking! Hope it turned out well!
Kathleen
Hi Nicole, I submitted a very positive review of this recipe tonight, but forgot to add one more comment, which would be so nice if you could incorporate this comment following here:
I also used a 13.5 oz can of extra thick organic coconut cream instead of the 1 1/4 cup heavy cream. It was also great tasting w/o any coconut flavor. That and the extra cream cheese made it so creamy & delicious too!
Nikole Berg
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and for including your tips! I know they will come in handy for other cooks!
Kathleen
Made this recipe tonight, and it is for sure a winner! I used penne pasta & all other ingredients. Also added a bit more cream cheese, because I needed to use up what I had, like at least 4 ounces worth. I also added toward the end some warmed up frozen peas from the microwave and some leftover Brussel sprouts that I chopped up in bite-size pieces after it was all done cooking. For the chicken I seasoned it with a special salt seasoning that had garlic, sea salt, and onion in it. I put in a bit more than a teaspoon of that to make sure it was on both sides, generously, hoping that it wouldn’t turn out too spicy or salty, and it didn’t! This is definitely a recipe I will make for sure again and again!
Nikole Berg
Thank you for the tips Kathleen! Sounds wonderful!
Tammy
Is it OK to substitute penne pasta and still do 6 minutes.
Nikole
Yes, that should work just fine!
Julie Walker
If I use Chicken tenderloins, should I keep them whole and still do the 6 minutes???
Nikole
That is what I would do! Please let us know how it turns out please!
Liz
I used tenderloins and they came out perfect using the original cook time!
Janet
Recipe is delicious and very popular with the family. The only thing that I changed is letting the pot naturally release the pressure. This way cleanups are mush easier.
Momto3js
Can you add uncooked broccoli before cooking (with the uncooked pasta and uncooked chicken)? Would you still do the 6 min cook time and 5 min natural release, if so?
Nikole
I think the broccoli would get overcooked, but some don't mind it cooked really soft. When I add broccoli to this dish, I steam it first in the microwave with a little bit of water and covered tightly. Or I use the steam in bag kind. Then I add it to the instant pot at then end of the natural release time and stir it well then set the lid back on for a few more minutes while I chop up the chicken. Hope that helps!
Debbie
Broccoli and shredded carrots are an amazing addition.
Shelby
Very good and yummy!!! I chopped up my chicken breast into bite size pieces and cooked it for 6 min like you said and it came out perfect! Added the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese and it came out perfect! Wasn’t dry at all! Pair it with a nice salad on the side.
Kay
Could I ask... why not cut the chicken into bite-size pieces before cooking? And, if so, what adjustments would be made in cooking time? The cooking time is pretty short anyway, so I would think reduce it by not more than a minute or 2. but it would likely need to be reduced.
I haven't yet made the recipe, but am eager to.
Nikole
Hi Kay- I have tested this different ways and I found bite sized pieces get overcooked and tough for my liking. You may want to try boneless chicken thigh if you like using bite sized pieces. If you make any experiments, please leave a comment here so others can learn from you!