Instant Pot Chicken Pasta

Our Instant Pot Chicken Pasta is ready in a flash. This one-pot wonder combines tender cooked chicken, bell peppers, with zesty arrabbiata sauce for a kick of spice. Rigatoni pasta cooks perfectly under pressure, soaking up all the delicious flavors. Finish with heavy cream and a generous sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese. Topped with fragrant basil, it’s a comforting meal that’s sure to please.

How To Serve Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Rigatoni

This chicken with pasta recipe is ready from start to finish in just 15 minutes, making it the ideal dish for dinner this week. You can easily pair it with your favorite vegetables for a nutrient boost or a slice of garlic bread for extra flavor. Looking for a delicious salad recipe to accompany this creamy chicken pasta? Try my Wedge Salad Recipe or Spring Salad with Buttermilk Dressing made with crisp lettuce, shaved asparagus, radishes and more!

Why Make Pasta in an Instant Pot?

• It’s easy! Unlike stovetop methods, the Instant Pot allows you to cook pasta, sauce and any other ingredients in one pot at the same time. Plus, constant stirring isn’t required, and you don’t risk water boiling over in a pot. What more could you ask for?!
• It’s delicious! The pasta is able to absorb all the flavors of the sauce and ingredients when cooked in a single pot. The Instant Pot also retains more moisture and heat to cook the pasta perfectly.
• It’s efficient! One-pot cooking saves time and allows you to enjoy minimal cleanup after dinner. Free up your time to focus on your family instead of the stovetop.

If your house is anything like mine, then pasta is a staple. Rigatoni pasta is a favorite when tossing with a rich sauce because the ridges and tubes hold onto sauces extremely well. Plus, the robust shape can stand up to the pressure-cooking process without falling apart. Other great alternatives would be penne, ziti, fusilli or cavatappi pasta.

Instant Pot Chicken Pasta Ingredients

• Chicken: Use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook a batch of baked or grilled chicken in advance. Dice or shred the chicken.
• Bell Pepper: Choose a variety of colors – red, green, orange, yellow – for a more visually appealing and nutrient dense meal.
• Onion
• Garlic
• Red pepper flakes: Adjust the spice of the dish by increasing the amount of red pepper flakes if desired.
• Rigatoni pasta
• Arrabbiata sauce: If you prefer a milder sauce, add 12 ounces of arrabbiata sauce and 12 ounces of plain tomato sauce to reduce the heat.
• Water
• Heavy cream: For a lighter option, substitute half and half.
• Parmesan cheese: I recommend grating Parmesan from a brick of cheese instead of using the powdered parmesan.
• Basil: Slice the basil leaves just before adding to garnish to preserve their flavor and aroma.

How To Cook Pasta in Instant Pot

STEP ONE: Prep the instant pot. Begin by adding the diced or shredded cooked chicken to the Instant Pot. Then, add the bell pepper, onion, garlic, rigatoni, red pepper flakes, arrabbiata sauce, and water to the instant pot. These ingredients provide the base of the dish, with the chicken offering lean protein and the vegetables adding flavor and texture. The rigatoni pasta will be infused with the flavors from the red pepper flakes and sauce. Stir everything well to ensure the pasta is evenly distributed and ingredients are combined. This will further help enhance the overall flavor of the dish while ensuring the pasta cooks perfectly.

STEP TWO: Cook. Secure the lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the timer at high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release by turning the value to the venting position. Be careful as the steam and pressure will release quickly to prevent the pasta from overcooking.

STEP THREE: Serve. Carefully open the lid and stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. This will add the desired creamy texture to the dish. For a finishing touch, garnish with fresh basil. Serve the chicken pasta hot with any sides and enjoy a meal that is ready to impress!

Recipes Notes, Tips and Variations

• Swap the chicken with diced or sliced sausage or poached shrimp.
• Add roasted or sauteed vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, squash, eggplant or mushrooms into the dish at the end.
• Measure the sauce and water carefully to ensure there is enough liquid to cook the pasta thoroughly. The pasta should be submerged in the liquid before cooking.
• Serve immediately to prevent overcooking the pasta in the Instant Pot.

How To Prepare for Special Diets

This recipe is versatile, but when adjusting the recipe to meet dietary requirements, you may need to use an alternative cooking method instead of an instant pot to maintain a high-quality dish.

• Dairy-free: Substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut milk. The parmesan cheese can be replaced with a dairy-free cheese, or the dish can be sprinkled with nutritional yeast prior to serving.
• Gluten-free: Choose a gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, quinoa or legumes. Always check the labels of the other products for hidden gluten-containing ingredients. Add 1/2 a cup more liquid since gluten-free pasta requires more to fully cook and increase cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
• Low Carb: Replace the Rigatoni pasta with a low carb alternative such as spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash. Consider the sauce you select and opt for a no sugar added variety or make a homemade batch without added sugars. Cook on the stove-top for best results.
• Vegan: Substitute the chicken with a plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh or chickpeas while using a pasta that is egg-free. Stir protein into dish after cooking pasta in the instant pot. The cream can easily be swapped with coconut milk and the Parmesan cheese with a vegan alternative.
• Vegetarian: Similar to a vegan diet, consider a plant-based protein in place of the chicken or replace it with roasted vegetables. Again, stir the protein into dish after cooking pasta in the instant pot.

Chicken Pasta FAQs

Storage Instructions

Store Instant pot chicken pasta just like any other pasta recipe by placing in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Looking to make in bulk and freeze? It is possible! Sometimes pasta is known to be a bit mushy when frozen then thawed, but you can give it a try. Place in a container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. Do not refreeze after it has been thawed.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, use the microwave or place the pasta in a sauté pan over low-medium heat until the recipe is warm. You may need to add a splash of water, broth or cream if the sauce is too thick. This extra liquid will also help the chicken from drying out when reheated.

Chicken Pasta Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, you will need to check out my creamy Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta, delicious One Pan Creamy Chicken And Gnocchi, adding pasta alongside this Chicken and Mushroom Recipe and last (but not least!), Dairy Free Creamy Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken, vibrant veggies and Ditalini pasta.

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