Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta is a super easy recipe made with chicken, penne pasta, lemon, cream cheese and Parmesan. It's creamy, delicious and kid approved!
If you're looking for a lighter Instant Pot pasta recipe, allow me to present this quick and easy Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta! It's fresh, lemony, creamy and not heavy at all -- perfect for spring and summer dinners!
You guys, I am so excited about this chicken dinner! Why? Well, my pickiest eater actually went back for seconds, and that almost never happens!
That's how I gauge kid friendliness with my recipes. So, if you're trying to find Instant Pot recipes that your kids or picky eaters will actually eat, this lemon chicken pasta has passed the test!
Best of all, this Instant Pot chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes and super easy to make. It's perfect for busy days, it's freezer friendly, and it reheats well. What's not to love about a recipe like this?!
How to Make Lemon Chicken Pasta in the Instant Pot
I based this recipe on a one pot version of lemon chicken pasta. But we like this Instant Pot version even better -- no standing over the stove or keeping an eye on dinner!
All you do is saute the chicken, and season it well. I used Herbes de Provence, which is perfect for this lemon chicken recipe because it really complements the lemon flavor. I think it adds extra freshness to the dish and really brightens it up.
You only need to cook the chicken until it's no longer pink. Then, add in the juice of half a lemon, and layer penne pasta over the chicken.
I used only 3 cups of water for cooking the pasta because as you can see, there is a lot of water from the chicken and lemon juice. If your chicken is dryer and you don't see that much liquid, you can use 4 cups of water for the pasta.
After pressure cooking, stir in some cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and the juice from the other half of the lemon. As it cools, the sauce will thicken up and be perfect -- not too thick and not too thin.
Then, I like to throw in fresh, chopped parsley for extra flavor. You could also add fresh spinach or peas at this point.
Top with extra lemon slices, parsley and Parm for extra flavor if you want. Then, enjoy this delicious creamy lemon chicken pasta!
If you want to round out the meal, serve easy Lemon Bars for dessert! Yum!
Can I Double the Recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe ingredients, but do NOT double the cook time.
What Can I use Instead of Herbes de Provence
If you can't find Herbes de Provence, just add Italian seasoning. It will taste slightly different, but it's an easy substitution.
More Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortellini
- Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta
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Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Instant Pot Lemon Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence seasoning
- 1 lemon cut in half, juice of, divided
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups water
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Hit SAUTE on the Instant Pot, and when it reads Hot, add the olive oil and chicken
- Season with sea salt, garlic powder, pepper and Herbes de Provence, stir, and cook until no longer pink
- Hit CANCEL. Add juice of half the lemon, then add the penne pasta over the chicken, and pour water over and around pasta. Do not stir
- Place lid on Instant Pot, turn vent to Sealing, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes
- Pot will take a few minutes to reach pressure, then start counting down and cook for 4 minutes
- When pot beeps, do a quick release
- When pin drops, remove lid, and stir everything together
- Gradually stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese until well blended
- Add remaining lemon juice and parsley, if using
- Sauce will thicken as it cools
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
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I hope you enjoy this easy, creamy Instant Pot lemon chicken pasta as much as we do!
Sharon V says
A great recipe using pantry staples! Loved it!
Dee says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks, Sharon!
Jacquelyn Hastert says
I love a good pasta and what's better is that it's so easy and made in my instant pot. Making this tomorrow for dinner!
Dee says
Yes! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
James says
Had to try this right away. Made it last night. Another awesome meal from Dee!
Dee says
Thank you so much, James! We love it!
Melanie Bauer says
Looks so creamy and yummy! Everybody will surely love this, can't wait to try!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This needs to be added to our weeknight dinner rotation!
Allyson Zea says
I loooove using my instant pot and it made this recipe so easy!
Dee says
I think everything is easier with the IP! 🙂
Taylor says
Love how creamy this is! And the amazing lemon flavor. Yum!
Dee says
Thanks, Taylor! It's perfect for lemon lovers. 🙂
Erin Dee says
Can’t wait to make this for dinner! So easy to make in the IP!
Demeter says
I love how quick and easy this dinner is to make! Lemon is so light and perfect for summer.
Dee says
It's definitely light enough for warmer weather!