Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
So good it's almost "addicting", Instant Pot crack chicken pasta is an easy one pan pasta dinner that your family will love!
Servings: 8
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (or olive oil)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 16 ounces uncooked short pasta (penne, ziti, or rigatoni work best)
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth, divided (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix (2 tablespoons)
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, as evenly as you can. Season with salt and pepper.1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Turn on the Instant Pot by pressing the “Sauté” button. When pan is hot, add the oil and cut-up chicken (see note).1 tablespoon cooking oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Cook the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is white on the outside. It will not be cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken to a plate. Add ½ cup broth to pot, boil and scrape bottom to remove all browned bits. Press “Cancel” on the Instant Pot.
- Add the uncooked pasta noodles, followed by the remaining broth, heavy cream, and ranch seasoning mix. DO NOT STIR, but make sure the liquid is covering the noodles. Add the chicken back to the Instant Pot on top of the ranch seasoning mix.16 ounces uncooked short pasta, 2 ½ cups chicken broth, divided, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- Close the lid, ensure the valve is turned to the seal position, and set for 5 minutes at High Pressure, or Pressure Cook, depending on your model.
- When timer goes off, quick release the pressure. Remove the lid, and add cream cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and creamy. If desired, stir in bacon, or reserve the bacon for garnish.1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Serve hot with your choice of garnishes.
Video
Notes
- Browning the chicken: If you want, skip browning the chicken. Just go ahead to step #3, adding the raw chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper, on top of the ranch seasoning, as directed. The chicken will be cooked with the pasta. I've tested both methods and they both work well.
- Add veggies: If desired, stir in chopped spinach, green peas, cooked green beans, or corn after stirring in cheese.
- Oven directions: To make a casserole, brown chicken in skillet, and cook pasta, as directed on package. Mix remaining ingredients (omitting broth), then stir in chicken and pasta. Spoon into greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Garnish as desired.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding more broth, water, cream, or milk to thin the sauce if necessary.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 759mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 978IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg
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