Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta is mouthwatering with chicken, creamy cheese sauce, tender noodles, and crisp broccoli. This one-pot meal does not take much time and is a great way to get a hot meal on the table fast.
For more instant pot recipes, try our IP Chicken Pot Pie made with thigh meat, egg noodles, and sour cream or this tangy IP Orange Chicken flavored with white wine, orange juice, and soy sauce.
This great recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight because it is so easy and fast.
The less time you have to spend making dinner, the more time you get to spend with the family.
Pressure cooking makes this easy recipe a snap with little prep time and just minutes of cooking time.
The whole family will love this cheesy chicken pasta.
Another fantastic instant pot meal is our creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo that you can have on the table in 22 minutes.
Ingredients needed:
To make this pasta dish, start with these simple ingredients. To see the exact measurements and instructions, scroll down to our printable recipe card.
- Bow tie pasta: Uncooked.
- Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil for best results.
- Fresh broccoli florets
- Finely chopped garlic: Or use garlic powder.
- Finely chopped onion: Or onion powder.
- Boneless, skinless chicken pieces: Breasts or thighs are both fine.
- Chicken or vegetable stock: You can also use vegetable or chicken broth.
- Heavy cream: Or cream cheese.
- Herbs and seasonings: Salt, oregano, red chili flakes, and basil leaves.
- Grated hard cheese: Parmesan cheese works great.
How to make instant pot chicken broccoli pasta recipe?
- Saute: Preheat your pot by setting it to saute mode and waiting five minutes. The saute setting should make it plenty warm enough to sauté your veggies.
- Cook: Then, cook the broccoli for one to two minutes until they are al dente, not soft, and then move them to a bowl.
- Chicken: After, add the chicken, onion, and garlic, cooking until the chicken is tender and white.
- Add stock: Next, add the stock, cheese, cream, seasonings, and salt and stir well.
- Cook: Then you will add the uncooked noodles and stir it up well. Close the lid of your electric pressure cooker and set to pressure cook for five minutes before doing a quick release.
- Add the broccoli: After the pasta is done, add in the basil and broccoli and mix gently. Taste and season as preferred.
- Serve: Finally, serve your instant pot chicken broccoli pasta while it is warm.
Recipe variations:
- Season it: Feel free to add other seasonings like onion powder, thyme, or whatever you like.
- Other pasta: You can also use other types of pasta such as elbow macaroni or penne pasta.
- Fettuccini: Make chicken broccoli fettuccini instead of bowties but cut the cooking time to three minutes.
- Add more: Go ahead and add more flavor to your broth or stock with some ranch or Italian dressing at the bottom of the pot.
- Store-bought sauce: There is nothing wrong with using jar sauce to save time.
- More veggies: You could also add other veggies like red peppers, carrots, or whatever else your family enjoys.
How to serve:
This easy instant pot pasta recipe is perfect for any meal. When serving, add a sprinkle of parmesan and black pepper to the top of the pasta. Or try one of these ideas:
- Another thing that works here is a nice fresh salad.
- This dish goes great with focaccia bread or breadsticks.
- Try our easy homemade alfredo sauce to top this dish.
- Toss some cheddar cheese on top for an extra cheesy meal.
- Use the leftovers to make chicken and broccoli stir fry or our delicious air fryer chicken and broccoli.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to add water to the bottom of the pot?
As long as you are adding a liquid, that is all you have to worry about. For this dish, you will be using chicken stock or broth so you will not need to add water.
Using water in the bottom is typically done when making cakes or anything else you cook in a pan inside the pot.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Feel free to use frozen chicken for this recipe. In fact, you can also use frozen broccoli but make sure you do not overcook it or it will get soggy.
You will not need to thaw the chicken first, just toss it in the pot and cook as usual.
What are the nutrition facts?
One serving of this delicious creamy chicken and broccoli pasta has about 500 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 38 grams of carbs.
But it also has 35 grams of protein, which is 70% of your daily value. You will also get 13% of your vitamin A, 10% of your vitamin C, and 14% of your calcium.
How to store leftovers:
- Store: Put your leftover pasta in an airtight container like Tupperware. It will stay good in the refrigerator for about three or four days.
- Freeze: Let the meal fully cool and after that divide into freezer-safe containers. Next, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave in a microwave-safe container.
More pasta recipes:
Cooking tips:
- Cook for one to two minutes longer if you want your noodles softer than al dente.
- Sometimes, dairy products curdle in the instant pot, so it is best to wait until after the cooking is done before adding the cream.
- For the best flavor, grate your cheese freshly instead of using the canned stuff you get at the grocery store.
- Other veggies that work well with this meal are green peas, baby spinach, and celery.
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz uncooked bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1/2 lb boneless and skinless chicken cut into pieces
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Saute Mode and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, saute the broccoli florets till they are al-dente, about 1 – 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Next, add garlic, onion, and chicken pieces. Saute for 1 minute or until the chicken is pale white. Add broth, cream, cheese, seasoning, salt, and stir nicely.
- Add uncooked pasta in the sauce, gently stir to mix, just enough to submerge the pasta into the broth.
- Close the lid, point valve to sealing (for older models).
- PRESSURE Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes for al dente pasta. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes more for slightly more cooked pasta.
- Do a quick release, once the pressure has been released, carefully open the lid and add sauteed broccoli, fresh basil, and mix.
- Taste the sauce and adjust for salt and pepper. After that, serve the meal.
Nutrition
