Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy pressure cooker dinner recipe made with chicken and pasta shells in a cheesy tomato cream sauce. This one pot Italian-style chicken dinner takes about 30 minutes to make, so it’s perfect for busy days, and it’s kid friendly!
If you’re looking for an easy dinner recipe made with chicken and pasta, you’re going to love this delicious Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta. It’s like a homemade Chicken Helper, and it’s super kid friendly. Best of all, it’s a one pot dinner, so there’s hardly any clean-up for you!
You guys, my family thinks this is one of the best Instant Pot chicken recipes I’ve ever made — one of the best Instant Pot recipes, definitely!
Seriously. I hate to brag — really I do, but when even my picky eaters like what I make for dinner, I know it’s good!
This recipe is basically a knock-off of Instant Pot Creamy Shells and Beef, which is one of the most popular easy Instant Pot recipes on the blog right now. I’m always looking for easy chicken recipes with few ingredients, and that’s pretty much how this delicious chicken dinner was born. It’s super quick and easy to make, and the only difference between the two recipes is that one dinner is made with ground beef and the other is made with chicken.
How to make Instant Pot creamy chicken pasta
Making this Instant Pot creamy shells and chicken is super simple. All you do is cook the chicken in the Instant Pot on the saute setting until it’s no longer pink. Then, you layer the pasta, water and marinara sauce, and let the pressure cooker get to work.
To make it creamy, I like to add some heavy cream and a little bit of Parmesan cheese at the end. And that’s all there is to it! Easy peasy, right?
How long do you cook chicken and pasta together in the Instant Pot?
Since we’re cooking the cut-up chicken first, you only need to cook the whole dish for 4 to 5 minutes.
Can I use any kind of pasta for this recipe?
Any short, thick pasta would work here. Macaroni or mini penne would be perfect!
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
You can definitely use milk here, but the consistency will be thinner.
Tips for making Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Make sure no chicken is stuck to the bottom before you start pressure cooking. Deglaze the pot with a spatula and extra water, if needed
- Use a thin marinara sauce, not a thick and chunky one
- Layer the pasta shells, water and marinara sauce, but don’t stir it all together
- Add extra cream at the end if you like more sauce
Recipe for Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut up
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 16-ounce box medium shell pasta, uncooked
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE button on pressure cooker, and when it reads HOT, add olive oil
- Add cut-up chicken to hot pot, and cook until chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently
- Add Italian Seasoning, sea salt, garlic powder and pepper, and stir until well coated. There should be plenty of juices from the chicken to deglaze pot and scrape up any chicken that might be sticking to bottom. Add a little water if necessary to make sure no chicken is sticking to pot.
- Hit CANCEL, then add uncooked pasta shells, water and marinara sauce on top. Press lightly to make sure pasta is covered with liquid, but do not stir
- Cover, turn knob to sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 5 minutes
- When pasta is done cooking, do a gradual quick release, and when pin drops, open lid
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until well blended, and serve immediately
Video
Notes
Nutrition
My family devoured this easy Instant Pot creamy chicken pasta in just a few minutes! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Happy Cooking,
Matt says
Used half and half because that’s what we had at home. Whole family liked it! Thanks.
Dee says
Thanks, Matt. I’m so glad you all liked it!
Kim says
Im wondering if you know if this can be done in a crockpot instead of a pressure cooker
Dee says
I haven’t tried it in the Crock-Pot, but I do have a stove-top version that’s made in one pot.
Jessica Johnson says
Does the chicken and shred or is it in bite-size pieces?
Dee says
You cut the chicken first so that it’s in bite-sized pieces.
Brenda says
I want to try this recipe for a large not Mier of people. Do you think it can be doubled in the 8 quart instant pot?
Dee says
You should definitely be able to double it in the 8 quart. Just keep the cook time the same. 🙂
Erin E says
If I already have a cream sauce will this recipe still work without adding the cream?
Dee says
It might be a little bit thicker than the original, but it should work.
Jason D'Eugenio says
Tried your recipe last night and it was great! I have two picky eaters and they both loved it. My daughter said she wasn’t going to eat it. She took a bite of mine and then proceeded to come back many more times for mouthfuls. It was super easy and minimal ingredients for a quick, hot, tasty dinner. Thanks!
Dee says
Awesome, Jason! So glad you and your family enjoyed it — thanks! 🙂
Amber says
Tried this and it was super good! Got a little nervous because there’s no water amount on the recipe to put in the instant pot, so I kinda just guesstimated! But besides that this was absolutely delicious and can’t wait to make it again!!!
Dee says
So glad you liked it! The recipe states 3 cups of water, so I’m not sure how that was missed. 🙂
Kristi W says
When do you add the water? Probably a silly question but I just want to make sure I make it right.
Dee says
You add the water after you add the pasta — before the sauce. 🙂
David says
Delicious, very easy. Thanks!
Dee says
So glad you liked it, David. Thanks!
Peg says
My very picky husband LOVED this dish!! It was so easy and so very tasty!! I immediately sent the recipe to my very busy daughter in law because I know that her whole family will love it!! I’m so happy I found this site!!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Peg! This made my day! 🙂
Kim Sloan says
How to cook if don’t have a pressure cooker?
Dee says
I have a one pot recipe coming soon. In the meantime, you could cook the chicken in one pot and add in cooked pasta. 🙂
Kim says
Have you posted the one pot recipe? I don’t have a pressure cooker either. Thanks 🙂
Dee says
It’s on my list of things to do, Kim. I’m hoping to get it out this week. 🙂
Susan says
Quick, easy, & delicious. I stirred in about 3 cups of raw baby spinach before adding heavy cream & parmesan cheese. My family loved this meal. Thanks for a great recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Susan! I love that you added spinach — yum!
Libby says
I’ve made this before following the recipe as it was great but this time I’m gonna use chicken stock instead of water and see how it comes out.
Dee says
It’ll probably have even more flavor. 🙂
D says
This recipe is now in the regular rotation at my house. I love the simplicity! It might be the sauce brand I buy, but we thought it was a little bland as-written, so I’ve started doubling the seasonings, adding about 1.5 cups of “fiesta blend” shredded cheese, as well as a can of mild rotel (drained) and it’s now perfect for our taste. Thanks for the recipe!
Dee says
Sounds like a whole new recipe! Glad you like it.
Shana says
Delicious! Will make again for sure.
Dee says
Thank you so much, Shanna! So glad you liked it!
Logan says
Looking forward to making this tonight for the family. Am wondering if it would also work with ground Italian sausage for a different flavor profile…?
Dee says
Yes! Here’s a recipe with the sausage instead of chicken Instant Pot . Creamy Sausage and Shells
Brittany says
I suck at cooking and I’m a picky eater. I’ve been looking for easy recipes with minimal ingredients. This was so easy and tastes amazing! I’m stunned! Will for sure recommend to others and make again.
Dee says
Thank you SO much for your review, Brittany! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Amy says
My grocery store was having a special on Turkey Italian Sausage, so I used that instead of chicken. Otherwise, I followed exactly and this was delicious. The best thing I’ve ever made in my Instant Pot. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Dee says
Aw, this totally makes my day! Thanks so much, Amy!
Georgia says
What a wonderful flavor. Fast and easy. I will definitely make again.
Dee says
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you liked the recipe — thanks! 🙂