• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 18, 2022 by Dee

    Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy dinner recipe made with tender chicken and pasta shells in a delicious creamy sauce. This Instant Pot chicken pasta is an easy one pot meal perfect for busy weeknights that your whole family will love! via @meamel

    Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy dinner recipe made with tender chicken and pasta shells in a delicious creamy sauce. This Instant Pot chicken pasta is an easy one pot meal perfect for busy weeknights that your whole family will love!

    Jump to Recipe -
    instant pot creamy chicken pasta with parsley and Parmesan cheese on the table
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Instant Pot Chicken Pasta
    • Cook Time
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Cooking Tips
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    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 dinners and 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.

    Ingredients

    There are a few ingredients you need for this instant pot chicken pasta recipe. What you don't already have at home can be found online or at your local grocery store:

    • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • Olive oil
    • Italian Seasoning
    • Sea salt
    • Garlic powder
    • Black pepper
    • Medium shell pasta
    • Marinara sauce or pasta sauce
    • Water or chicken broth
    • Heavy cream
    • Shredded Parmesan cheese

    How to make Instant Pot Chicken Pasta

    Making this Instant Pot creamy shells and chicken is super simple. All you do is add the olive oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot when it reads hot.

    Cut your chicken breasts into small pieces. Then, cook chicken in the Instant Pot on the saute setting until it's no longer pink.

    Next, add the seasonings, and stir until chicken pieces are well coated.

    If there are any brown bits on the bottom of the Instant Pot, deglaze the pot with water, and scrape the bits using a spatula or wooden spoon.

    saute chicken breast pieces in instant pot

    Then, you layer the pasta, water and pour marinara sauce on top of the pasta in that order. Pro tip -- Do not stir the ingredients together until later!

    Place the lid on the electric pressure cooker, and make sure the seal is on the sealing position. Some models seal automatically, so you may not have to do this.

    instant pot creamy chicken pasta in poti

    Cook Time

    Since we're cooking the cut-up chicken first, you only need to pressure cook the whole dish on high pressure for 4 to 5 minutes.

    4 minutes of pressure cooking gives you more al dente pasta. 5 minutes is perfect if you want softer pasta.

    After the cooking time is up, do a quick release to release the remaining pressure. Then, remove the lid, and give the pasta a good stir.

    cheesy instant pot creamy chicken pasta on spoon

    To make this pasta 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?

    Variations and Substitutions

    There are a few ways to customize this delicious pasta dish to your liking.

    If you don't have shell pasta, any type of short, thick pasta will work. Macaroni pasta, penne pasta or mini penne pasta would be perfect!

    Instead of heavy cream, use milk, for a thinner sauce. For a thicker, creamier sauce, use cream cheese instead of heavy cream.

    Add your favorite type of cheese. Parmesan cheese goes great on top of pasta, but you can also use cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese either in or on your pasta. You can never go wrong with lots of cheese!

    Veggies are an easy addition to chicken pasta. Bell peppers, fresh basil, red peppers, and onions are great options.

    Add red pepper flakes or paprika for a little extra kick.

    If you want to make this creamy chicken pasta meal over the stove, check out this one pot stove top recipe! You can also use rotisserie chicken or boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer!

    plate of instant pot creamy chicken pasta with parmesan cheese

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store any leftover cheesy chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it'll last for 3 to 4 days.

    For longer storage, keep in the freezer in a freezer safe container.

    Reheat pasta in the microwave.

    instant pot creamy chicken pasta with parmesan cheese on plate

    Cooking Tips

    • 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

    instant pot chicken pasta in creamy sauce with parmesan cheese on a plate

    Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Published by Dee
    Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy dinner recipe made with tender chicken and pasta shells in a delicious creamy sauce. This Instant Pot chicken pasta is an easy one pot meal perfect for busy weeknights that your whole family will love!
    5 from 40 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    pressure time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 10
    Calories 231 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    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
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 16-ounce box medium shell pasta, uncooked
    • 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 ½ 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

    This recipe was made in an 8 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker, using Barilla brand marinara sauce and medium pasta shells. You can use a 28 oz jar of marinara sauce, like Rao's.
    It can be made in the 6 quart without changing cook time or ingredients.
    For firmer pasta, set cook time to 4 minutes.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 14gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 474mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 634IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Recipe first published in 2018 and updated in 2022.

    instant pot creamy chicken pasta shells on white plate

    Instant Pot creamy chicken pasta is a super easy delicious meal for quick weeknight dinners! It's a delicious alternative to Instant Pot spaghetti and I hope you love it as much as my family does!

    Be sure to give it a star rating and comment or share in Facebook groups and other social media!

    For more Instant Pot recipes, Instant Pot pasta recipes, great recipes for busy nights, and easy recipes, subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!

    Happy Cooking,

    dee signature
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes made in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    • instant pot corn on the cob with butter on white platter.
      Easy Instant Pot Corn on the Cob Recipe
    • instant pot spaghetti and meat sauce in white bowl with basil and Parmesan
      Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
    • bowl of penne pasta with parsley and Parmesan cheese cooked in the Instant Pot.
      How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot
    • instant pot tuna noodle casserole in white bowl with crackers and cheese
      Instant Pot Tuna Noodle Casserole

    You May Also Like

    buffalo chicken casserole with pasta and vegetables on serving spoon.
    Easy Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe
    instant pot spaghetti and meat sauce in white bowl with basil and Parmesan
    Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
    bowl of penne pasta with parsley and Parmesan cheese cooked in the Instant Pot.
    How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Lindsey says

      November 23, 2021 at 8:55 am

      Can this be done in a regular crock pot if the chicken is cooked before?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 23, 2021 at 11:40 am

        I'm pretty sure it can, but I haven't tried it, so I'm not certain about the cook time. Let me know how it goes.

    2. Terry-Lyn (mom of two teenaged boys) says

      October 31, 2021 at 11:16 am

      I have made this several times - it is definitely a family favourite! The recipe is perfect as is. A couple of times when I went to make it, I realized that I didn't have any heavy cream so I substituted with milk and added a half to a full brick of cream cheese and it was delicious this way as well.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 31, 2021 at 4:00 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing your variations!

    3. Kari says

      May 10, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      I made this today for dinner, I tweaked it a little by adding mushrooms and a whole diced eggplant because...vegetables are good for you!  The egg plant kinda disappeared in the sauce which is fine (secret health food) and then I added only 2/3 cup of heavy cream added about a tsp salt and it was pretty good!  Maybe serve it with some bacon crumbled on top?  

      Reply
    4. Briana says

      July 02, 2020 at 7:12 pm

      I made this for my roommates and I and we all loved it!! I sprinkled about a tablespoon of onion powder at the end and it was amazing, thank you for this recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 02, 2020 at 10:32 pm

        Thank you so much for the sweet comment! I'm so glad you all liked it!

    5. Terri Burson says

      June 09, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      I can't imagine adding anything else to this recipe. The flavors were spot on and we loved it! In fact, I may just make this at our girls scrapbook retreat this weekend!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 11, 2020 at 1:07 pm

        Thank you so much, Terri. So happy you liked the pasta!

    6. Kako says

      June 02, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      Can I use elbow macaroni and use the same cook time? I'm new to instant pots so I apologise if this is a dumb question.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        June 02, 2020 at 10:10 pm

        Definitely NOT a dumb question! It will still be the same cook time. You can always use the "golden rule of pasta" and cook for 1/2 the lowest cook time suggested on the box. 🙂

    7. TIFFANY says

      March 05, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      What is a gradual quick release? I have hear of quick and natural, never gradual.

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 05, 2020 at 9:24 pm

        It just means you turn the release valve slowly or alternate between venting and sealing so that liquid doesn't squirt out at once.

    8. K says

      February 24, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      It was ok, I had to add a little Accent to bring the flavor out and some sugar and it was fine. Can you freeze all that’s left over?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 24, 2020 at 7:37 pm

        Yes, it freezes and reheats well.

    9. Nina says

      February 16, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Made it for Sunday Family Dinner. Everyone liked. Added it to my Instant Pot Recipe Book. Will definitely make it again. I also noticed you make it using ground beef instead of chicken. Will have to try that sometime.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 17, 2020 at 8:29 pm

        That's wonderful, Nina. Glad you you enjoyed the recipe! Shells and beef is so good -- hope you get a chance to try it!

    10. Cindy Ellmaker says

      February 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      Very good and Husband Approved. Makes several meals for the 2 of us. for me personally added extra cheese, will lessen the seasonings. I used Chunky Marinara and it worked just fine. Will definitely make again.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        February 15, 2020 at 7:58 pm

        So happy you enjoyed the recipe, Cindy. Thanks!

    11. Marla says

      January 13, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      This was delicious! My family loved it!
      Thank you for a quick and easy yummy recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 14, 2020 at 5:48 pm

        I'm so glad to hear this, Marla. Thank you so much!

    12. DebbieT says

      January 11, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      Fast, easy, ingredients generally on hand.... plus, husband loved it! This one's a keeper, and I'm sharing it on my facebook page... thank you for an excellent recipe! I made it with penne pasta, as that's what I had on hand. A tiny bit more toothy, but still quite amazing. Adding the parmesan kicks it over the top.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 12, 2020 at 2:23 pm

        Thank you so much, Debbie! I'm glad that your family enjoyed it!

    13. Chris says

      January 07, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Delicious. I actually accidentally added all the ingredients before cooking. (heavy cream and cheese were supposed to be added after) But it still turned out awesome. Saving this and will definitely be making it again.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        January 08, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        So glad you liked the pasta, Chris! Thanks so much!

    14. Maureen says

      December 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      Hello! I’ve made this 3 times because I love its simplicity but I have a question: you say 5 minutes for pressure cook but my pasta is NEVER done in that time! I have to cook it for a good 15 or more minutes to even get the pasta to soften. What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 21, 2019 at 8:22 pm

        How odd. At 5 minutes, the pasta is definitely soft, so sometimes, I'll even reduce the time to 4 minutes for more al dente pasta. Are you cooking on high pressure? Are you using an Instant Pot brand of pressure cooker? Just throwing out some ideas here. What brand of pasta do you use? I use Barilla pasta, if that helps. I honestly don't know why your pasta is taking so long to cook, because 5 minutes should be enough.

      • Maureen says

        December 22, 2019 at 6:34 am

        Yes, I’m using the real Instant Pot. It’s on High Pressure. I use either Barilla or Muellers. This is the 3rd time. I’m starting to think I got a bad Instant Pot, maybe???

      • Dee says

        December 23, 2019 at 4:28 pm

        I have heard of that happening, and I actually have one pot that is kind of finicky. The only other thing I can think of is maybe your seal is loose or needs replaced. I'm so sorry your pasta isn't getting done, since I know how frustrating that must be!

    15. Jeff Sobel says

      December 11, 2019 at 9:04 am

      Would be nice to have complete nutrition info so I can see if its something I can eat

      Reply
    16. Melissa says

      December 10, 2019 at 3:33 pm

      Hi. This looks delicious. I will be making it for the first time. How long do you saute the chicken for in the beginning?5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 10, 2019 at 3:37 pm

        Just until it's no longer pink. It'll finish cooking under pressure

    17. DEBORAH T RAY says

      November 29, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      Wonderful recipe!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 30, 2019 at 11:51 pm

        Thanks, Deborah. SO glad you enjoyed it!

    18. Deborah Ray-Roberts says

      November 25, 2019 at 1:27 am

      Very good and easy. My family loved it.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 25, 2019 at 9:42 am

        I'm so happy you liked the pasta, Deborah. Thanks!

    19. Georgia says

      September 30, 2019 at 5:58 pm

      What a wonderful flavor. Fast and easy. I will definitely make again.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 01, 2019 at 2:46 pm

        That's wonderful! I'm so glad you liked the recipe -- thanks! 🙂

    20. Amy says

      September 23, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      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!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 24, 2019 at 9:54 am

        Aw, this totally makes my day! Thanks so much, Amy!

    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • baked breaded pork chops with panko bread crumbs and mashed potatoes on plate
      Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • ground beef pasta, creamy shells and beef, in creamy tomato sauce in dutch oven
      Creamy Shells and Beef
    • apple pie dump cake with scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce on a plate
      Apple Pie Dump Cake Recipe (Apple Dump Cake)
    • bowl of peanut butter cheesecake dip with mini Reese's cups on top
      Peanut Butter Cheesecake Dip Recipe
    • easy baked beans with brown sugar on a serving spoon
      Easy Baked Beans Recipe with Brown Sugar
    • no bake banana pudding with cool whip and nilla wafer cookies and sliced bananas
      Easy No Bake Banana Pudding
    • apple crisp without oats on a plate with vanilla ice cream on top
      Cinnamon Apple Crisp Without Oats
    • pumpkin pie dip with fall sprinkles and cookies in a white bowl
      Easy Pumpkin Pie Dip Recipe (No Bake)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama