Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo penne pasta made from scratch in the pressure cooker is a delicious easy dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes!
Let me say right now that this pressure cooker chicken Alfredo is not a diet recipe. But it’s definitely one of those easy Instant Pot recipes that’s simple, delicious and very kid friendly. Best of all, it only takes about 30 minutes to make!
The Hubs adores fettuccine Alfredo. It’s his favorite meal, and even though I prefer pasta with tomato sauce, I make homemade chicken fettuccine Alfredo for his birthday every year. I’m nice like that!
It’s really a super simple recipe, but because it’s also rich, we usually save Alfredo for special occasions — like birthdays! Since I’ve been converting a lot of my recipes to pressure cooker recipes, I decided to make chicken Alfredo in the Instant Pot. You guys, this one’s a keeper!
How to make chicken Alfredo pasta in the Instant Pot
Traditional fettuccine Alfredo is heavy on the butter, and so is this Instant Pot version. You really need it to make the sauce rich and creamy. So even though you may be tempted to use jar sauce or cream cheese, you really don’t need it!
Just cut up the chicken, and cook it for about 5 minutes on the Saute setting — just until it’s no longer pink. Then, season it, and add pasta, water and butter.
Pressure cook the pasta for 4 minutes, then do a gradual quick release. This recipe tends to spurt out all over the place, so unless it doesn’t bother you, stick with a controlled release.
On a side note, I only seem to have a problem with pasta water making a mess when I use my 6-quart Instant Pot. When I use the 8 quart, it’s fine.
Next, add some heavy cream, more butter, Parm and a little bit of nutmeg. The sauce looks thin at first, but it firms up in no time. You can even go back to Saute mode and reduce the sauce for a few minutes if you want.
Personally, I like to add heavy cream in the Instant Pot at the end, after pressure cooking. I just think it works better this way.
The sauce thickens as it rests, and by the time you eat it, you get an incredibly rich and creamy Instant Pot chicken Alfredo pasta.
Check out more Instant Pot chicken and pasta recipes
- Instant Pot creamy chicken pasta
- Instant Pot creamy enchilada chicken pasta
- Instant Pot chicken bacon ranch pasta
Recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed -- about 2 medium or 3 small
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 16-ounce box penne pasta -- uncooked
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided -- 1 stick
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Press SAUTE button, and when it reads Hot, add the olive oil, then the chicken. and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently
- Add sea salt, garlic powder and pepper, and stir, making sure no chicken bits are stuck to bottom. then hit Cancel
- Add penne pasta over chicken, then pour water over and around the sides of the pasta. Top with 4 tablespoons of butter
- Cover, turn valve to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
- When pot beeps, do a gradual quick release to minimize liquid spurting out of valve. When pin drops, remove lid, and stir
- Stir in remaining 4 tablespoons butter, heavy cream and nutmeg. Mixture will be thin, but will thicken up as sauce cools. You can hit SAUTE for about 5 minutes to help sauce reduce if you want.
- Gradually stir in grated Parm, and add more, if desired. Taste, and add more salt, if desired. Serve with more Parm and fresh parsley, if desired. Sauce will continue to thicken as it stands
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this easy Instant Pot chicken alfredo pasta as much as we do!
Katie Palsha says
Can’t wait to try this! I’d like to use boneless skinless thighs, should I leave the cook time as is or add a few minutes?
Dee says
If you’re cooking the meat on saute first, it should be the same amount of time. 🙂
Ricardo Carvalho says
This recipe came out as good as it was easy to make, I followed it to the t and it was a hit, definitely recommend it.
Dee says
That’s awesome news, Ricardo! Thank you so much! 🙂
Dave says
I made this yesterday. The only problem I had was the size of my family, 10 people. I had made it before for four and had plenty of left overs. So, I just doubled the whole recipe and followed prep and cooking instructions as written. Leftovers equaled two small containers. I think that’s called success!!! Thanks for the recipe. Awesome results. I have a 8 quart Duo.
Dee says
Sounds like my family! Thanks so much, Dave — so glad you liked it! 🙂
Heather Joffrion says
This was a huge hit with my family tonight! Thanks for the great and easy recipe! I usually have a skillet from the chicken, the pot from the pasta and a saucepan from the sauce all to clean but this!! One pot and it was delicious!! Thank you! We will be making this again!
Dee says
One pot dinners are the best! So glad you liked this, Heather — Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Amy Goodrich says
This recipe is so delicious! Second time I have made it, but my issue is that my Instant Pot hates me. I have yet to make ANYthing in there that I don’t get the *burn* notice. Ugh. The heavy cream both times fell apart and was watery, but a simple roux of butter and flour saved the dish and the dish is delish. I am the problem with my problem! LOL!
Dee says
I can imagine how frustrating that is. The Alfredo sauce thickens as it stands — I’ve never needed to add a roux to it.
coco says
I made this last night and it was delish! Family loved it! I followed the recipe as stated just used fresh garlic since I didn’t have any garlic powder and I set the time to only 3 minutes could have even gone to 2 minutes. It also takes awhile for the the pressure to release. While you are waiting for the sauce to thicken the pasta still softens so my pasta was perfect al dente. Thanks for the recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Coco! So happy you liked it! 🙂
Sheila Schulz says
I made this without the chicken, and melted all the butter in the water, before adding the noodles. It’s a big hit in my family!
Dee says
Great idea! So glad you liked it, Sheila!
Armanda says
This recipe is Ahhhh-mazing! My husband doesn’t like Alfredo, or any white creams or sauces, so I rarely get to have this. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out wonderful! So quick and easy to make! Thank you so much!
Dee says
So glad you liked it! My husband loves Alfredo anything, but I prefer red sauce! 🙂
Andi says
This recipe is delish! It’s warming and waiting for me in the Instant Pot and I can’t wait to dig in. I followed your recipe to a T but only had spaghetti noodles and it turned out perfect. Looking forward to eating very soon! Thank you! I’ll be sure to check your other recipes. This will be a family favorite for sure.
Dee says
Thanks, Andi! I’m so glad you liked it. 🙂
Tammy says
Would you know if this could go in the freezer? It would be great if I can pack this as lunch for kids. Thanks!
Dee says
I’ve frozen this before, and it reheats well. My daughter loves taking this for lunch at school! 🙂
Robin says
Hi, I was wondering how many servings this makes and if there would be enough room to double it in a 6 qt. My kids eat a ton when I make alfredo and I’m worried there won’t be enough. Thanks!
Dee says
This makes enough for our family of 7, but you can double it if you want extra. Just leave the cook time the same. 🙂
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
Things sounds delish! I am loving my IP more and more!
Cari Brandner says
Does it make a lot of sauce? My family likes their pasta saucey. Can I double the cream and cheese?
Dee says
It’s saucy at first, but it thickens as it cools. You can definitely add more cream and extra cheese, though. 🙂
Mary Louise Cashel says
Tried it tonight and the flavor & consistency of the sauce was terrific, but my noodles were a little mushy. What is a “gradual” release. I tried a 10 minute natural/quick release (let it continue to warm for 10 minutes and then turn to venting) and I think it was too long. How long before you switched to venting?
Dee says
Hi Mary. I’m so sorry about the mushy pasta! For any pasta, you always want a quick release or gradual quick release, which means you turn the vent a little bit at a time instead of all at once. This just prevents the water from spraying everywhere from a sudden release. So, after the pasta is done cooking, turn the vent a little at a time to minimize water spraying, then turn it all the way for a full release. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂
Faiza Ghani says
Hi! I was want to cut the quantity in half, and i was wondering if that affects the pressure cooker time? Thanks!
Dee says
No change — The cook time will be the same. 🙂
Faiza Ghani says
Came out delicious and my kids LOVED it! Thank you so much I’m going to try every recipe you have!
Dee says
I’m so glad everyone loved it! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
Mariann Bishop says
Weird Question….but Can you substitute the heavy cream with cream cheese?
Dee says
You can use cream cheese, but you may have to add a little bit of milk with it if it gets too thick. 🙂
Robert says
Can you substitute chicken broth for water?
Dee says
Yes — You can use either one.
Allyson Zea says
I can’t wait to try this!!! YUM!!!
Miz Helen says
A delicious Chicken Alfredo! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and sure hope you have a great week!
Miz Helen
Jacque Hastert says
Love, love, love! Anything made in the instant pot is right up my alley!
Dee says
Thanks, Jacque. I feel exactly the same way! 🙂
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This needs to happen at my house very soon! So hungry for this!
Dee says
I hope you get a chance to try it, Erin. Thanks! 🙂
James says
Tried this last night! Alfredo is my favorite and such an easy recipe. Simply the best!
Dee says
Awesome, James! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Abeer says
I love how easy this pasta is! Yum!
Anna says
I cannot wait to make this Alfredo! This is going to be a hit here!
Dee says
Thanks, Anna. My family absolutely loves it!
Delaney | Melanie Makes says
I love a good chicken alfredo!
Dee says
This one is definitely a keeper! 🙂