Quick and Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is one of the easiest and most delicious one-pot meals you can make. In just a few simple steps, you can create a creamy, cheesy, comforting dish that rivals what you’d find in a restaurant. Whether you’re a busy parent, a first-time Instant Pot user, or someone looking for a quick, tasty meal, this recipe is a game-changer.

Gone are the days of boiling pasta separately, making the sauce, and managing multiple pots on the stove. With the Instant Pot, everything comes together seamlessly, and the pressure cooking ensures that your chicken is perfectly tender and juicy every time.

Why Make Chicken Alfredo in the Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is a versatile tool that cuts down on cooking time, reduces cleanup, and ensures consistent results. Here’s why using the Instant Pot for Chicken Alfredo is such a great choice:

• ◉ Time-Saving: Traditional Chicken Alfredo recipes require boiling pasta and cooking the sauce separately. With the Instant Pot, both are done in one pot, and the cooking time is drastically reduced.

• ◉ One-Pot Meal: Everything, from the chicken to the sauce and pasta, cooks together in the Instant Pot. This minimizes the number of dishes to wash afterward.

• ◉ Perfectly Cooked Chicken: The pressure cooking ensures the chicken is cooked through but still moist and tender. No more dry chicken!

• ◉ Creamy, Flavorful Sauce: The sauce thickens beautifully and clings to the pasta, giving you that rich, creamy texture you crave from Chicken Alfredo.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

To make this dish, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components for a creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo:

Main Ingredients

• ◉ Chicken Tenderloins: These are the easiest to work with for this recipe because they cook quickly and evenly. Frozen tenders work best for this dish because they retain their shape during pressure cooking.

• ◉ Chicken Broth: Provides the base liquid for cooking the pasta and chicken. You can substitute it with water if needed, but chicken broth adds more flavor.

• ◉ Heavy Whipping Cream: This is the key ingredient to achieving a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s the foundation of the sauce’s texture and flavor.

• ◉ Garlic: Adds depth to the flavor profile. Use minced dried garlic or fresh garlic, depending on your preference.

• ◉ Linguine Pasta: The pasta cooks directly in the sauce. Linguine works well, but you can substitute with other hearty pasta like penne or rotini.

• ◉ Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese thickens the sauce and gives it that authentic Alfredo flavor.

• ◉ Fresh Parsley: For garnish, fresh parsley adds color and a bit of freshness to balance the richness of the dish.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

Making Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is as simple as it gets. Just a few steps and you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in about 30 minutes. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Add the Base Ingredients

Start by adding the chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, and salt and pepper into the Instant Pot. This will be the base for your sauce.

Step 2: Add the Pasta

Place the linguine pasta into the Instant Pot, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Do not stir the pasta because stirring can cause it to clump together or stick to the bottom of the pot.

Pro Tip: The pasta needs to be covered with the liquid for even cooking. If you’re using a different type of pasta, make sure to check the instructions for cook times to adjust as necessary.

Step 3: Add the Frozen Chicken Tenderloins

Place the frozen chicken tenderloins on top of the pasta. You can lightly season them with a pinch of salt and pepper, but you don’t need to do much more— the flavor from the sauce and pasta will infuse into the chicken during cooking.

Step 4: Pressure Cook the Ingredients

Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook (or Manual) on High Pressure and cook for 6 minutes.

Once the cooking time is up, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 6 minutes. This will help the pasta finish cooking and allow the chicken to rest before you shred it.

Step 5: Add Parmesan and Finish the Sauce

After the natural release, carefully switch the valve to Venting to release the remaining pressure. Open the lid, and remove the cooked chicken. Let the chicken rest while you finish the sauce.

Stir in Parmesan cheese while twirling the pasta with tongs to help thicken the sauce. This will give you that rich, creamy texture that’s characteristic of Chicken Alfredo. Once the cheese is fully incorporated, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Give everything a final stir, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Stir the Pasta: Stirring the pasta before cooking can cause it to sink and stick to the bottom, potentially triggering a burn warning. Simply layer it on top and let the Instant Pot do the magic.

• Chicken Options: While frozen chicken tenderloins are ideal for this recipe, you can use fresh chicken breasts or thighs. Just be sure to adjust the cook time (fresh chicken may need less time).

• Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor. Pre-grated cheese can clump together and affect the creaminess of the sauce.

• Add-Ins: Feel free to add vegetables such as broccoli or mushrooms. These can be added during the last minute of cooking. Just make sure they don’t overcook and become mushy.

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Variations

One of the best things about Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is how customizable it is. Whether you want to add vegetables, change the pasta, or experiment with different proteins, this recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences.

Vegetable Add-ins

• ◉ Broccoli: A classic pairing with Chicken Alfredo, add steamed or roasted broccoli for a burst of color and nutrition.

• ◉ Spinach: Stir in some fresh spinach at the end of cooking for a dose of vitamins. The heat will wilt the spinach without overcooking it.

• ◉ Mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms in a little oil before adding the pasta and chicken for a savory addition to the dish.

• ◉ Peas: Frozen peas can be stirred in with the cheese to add a pop of color and sweetness.

Protein Variations

• ◉ Shrimp: Swap out chicken for shrimp for a seafood twist on the classic Alfredo. Shrimp cooks quickly, so add it during the last minute of the pressure cook cycle for best results.

• ◉ Turkey: Ground turkey or turkey breast can be substituted for the chicken, providing a leaner alternative while maintaining the same flavor.

Cheese Variations

• ◉ Cream Cheese: For an extra creamy texture, add a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese along with the Parmesan.

• ◉ Mozzarella: If you love cheesy goodness, top your dish with fresh mozzarella after cooking, or mix it in with the Parmesan for extra creaminess.

How to Store and Reheat Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

This recipe makes excellent leftovers, and it’s perfect for meal prep. Here’s how you can store and reheat your Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo:

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Freezer: If you want to keep leftovers for a longer time, you can freeze Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Pro Tip: When freezing, it’s best to leave the chicken and pasta mixture in the container without the sauce to prevent the pasta from getting too soft. You can freeze the sauce separately if you prefer.

Reheating Instructions

• Microwave: Place a serving of Chicken Alfredo in a microwave-safe container. Add a splash of milk or cream to help rehydrate the sauce. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until hot.

• Stovetop: Heat a serving in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a little milk or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan.

Food Safety Tip: Always check that the dish reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when reheating.

Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups chicken broth

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

• 1 tsp minced garlic (or 4 fresh cloves, minced)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 8 oz linguine pasta (or penne, ziti, or rotini)

• 4–6 frozen chicken tenderloins

• ¾ to 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Add Ingredients to Instant Pot
   Pour the chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into the Instant Pot. Do not stir the ingredients yet.

2. Add Pasta
   Place the linguine pasta on top of the liquid. Ensure the pasta is submerged, but do not stir.

3. Add Chicken
   Place the frozen chicken tenderloins on top of the pasta. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

4. Pressure Cook
   Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook (High) and set the timer for 6 minutes. After cooking, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 6 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.

5. Finish the Sauce
   Remove the chicken and set it aside to rest. Stir in the Parmesan cheese slowly, using tongs to toss the pasta. The cheese will thicken the sauce.

6. Shred and Add Chicken
   Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot. Stir everything together.

7. Serve and Garnish
   Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve immediately.

Notes

• Substitute Pasta: You can swap the linguine with other hearty pasta like penne, ziti, or rotini. Make sure the pasta size aligns with the cooking time for best results.

• Chicken Options: While frozen tenderloins work best for consistent cooking, fresh chicken breasts can be used if you cut them in half for even cooking.

• Vegetables: Add steamed broccoli or roasted vegetables for added flavor and nutrition.

• Cream Substitutes: You can replace heavy cream with evaporated milk, but adjust the method to avoid curdling (add after pressure cooking).

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving – Based on 4 Servings)

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 6 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Method: Instant Pot (Pressure Cook)

• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Comfort Food