Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 1 ½ lbboneless
skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ mediumonion
finely chopped
- 2 clovesgarlic
minced
- 3 ½ cchicken stock
- 1 tspsalt
- ½ tsppepper
- ¼ tspgarlic powder
- 116-ounce package penne pasta
- 18-ounce package cream cheese
cubed
- ½ cbasil pesto
- ½ cshredded parmesan cheese
plus more for garnish
- 1 ccherry or grape tomatoes
halved
- crushed red pepper
for garnish, if desired
Directions
- 1
Select the Sauté function on a multi-function electric pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot). Heat the oil in the pot. Add the chicken, onion, and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the chicken is just starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Push Cancel to end Sauté function, and remove the chicken and onion mixture with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- 2
Add the chicken stock to the pot and stir with a wooden or plastic spoon, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- 3
Add the pasta to the pot, making sure the noodles are evenly submerged in the liquid, but do not stir. Without stirring, layer the cream cheese cubes over the top of the pasta, followed by the reserved chicken and onion mixture. Finally, pour the pesto sauce over the top of everything.
- 4
Close and lock the pressure cooker lid, make sure the pressure/steam release switch is set to sealing, and set the cooking time to 5 minutes at high/normal pressure. It will take about 15 minutes for the pot to reach pressure before the cooking time begins. After the pressure cooking time ends, carefully release the pressure using the manufacturer’s quick release method.
- 5
Open the lid and press Cancel to turn off the pot. Add the parmesan cheese to the pot, stirring until the cream cheese and parmesan cheese have completely blended into the pasta sauce and any noodles that were stuck together have broken up. Let the pasta sit in the pot until the sauce is thickened (about 3 minutes), then stir in the tomatoes. Serve garnished with additional parmesan cheese, and if desired, crushed red pepper.
Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
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About this Recipe
Searching for a weeknight dinner that’s both incredibly simple and bursting with flavor? Look no further than this Instant Pot chicken pesto pasta, a truly hands-off dish that delivers a satisfying meal your entire family will adore. This creamy, savory recipe is so quick to prep and easy to make, it's bound to become a regular request in your home.
This recipe shines because it harnesses the power of your Instant Pot, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, creamy chicken pasta with minimal effort. The beauty lies in cooking everything together, allowing the chicken, penne pasta, and savory spices to meld perfectly before finishing with vibrant basil pesto and cream cheese for an undeniable depth of flavor. It's the ultimate one-pot wonder that minimizes cleanup.
Prepare for a delightful experience of tender, bite-sized chicken pieces intertwined with perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enveloped in a luxurious, creamy pesto sauce. The thoughtful addition of fresh, halved cherry or grape tomatoes brightens each bite, offering a burst of sweet acidity that cuts through the richness. You'll find yourself reaching for another serving of this comforting, robust, and utterly delicious family favorite, enjoying the natural blend of savory, herbaceous, and tangy notes.
While boneless, skinless chicken breast is called for, feel free to explore other protein options for a different twist. You can easily adjust the amount of basil pesto to suit your taste preference, or experiment with a different type of pesto for a unique flavor profile. For an extra kick, a generous sprinkle of crushed red pepper adds a welcome warmth, or for more cheesiness, stir in additional Parmesan cheese at the end.
This Instant Pot chicken pesto pasta is the ultimate solution for busy weeknights, offering a complete meal in one convenient pot. Serve it garnished with extra shredded Parmesan and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, if desired, for a visually appealing and delicious dinner that pleases everyone at the table.