Description
Creamy and rich Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo, a quick and easy one-pot dish prepared in under 30 minutes with tender chicken, flavorful Cajun seasoning, perfectly cooked pasta, and a cheesy Alfredo sauce, topped with optional fresh garnishes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
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- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound split boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Cajun or blackening seasoning
Pasta
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- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 16 ounces uncooked pasta (e.g., cavatappi, fettuccine, penne, shells)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)
Garnish
- 2 large tomatoes, seeds removed and chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot: Turn on the Instant Pot using the Saute-High function. Allow it to heat for a minute.
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and sprinkle them evenly with Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot, then add the chicken. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the garlic to the hot oil and cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken stock and gently scrape off any browned bits at the bottom using a wooden spoon.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the heavy cream, uncooked pasta, and salt to the pot. Push the pasta into the liquid as much as possible without stirring the cream. Place the chicken on top.
- Pressure Cook: Attach the lid, set the valve to the “sealing” position, and cook on Pressure Cook-Manual for 4 minutes.
- Manual Pressure Release: Once done, carefully release the pressure manually by switching the valve to “venting.” Be cautious of the hot steam.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir the Parmesan cheese, butter, and thyme into the pasta until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta topped with sliced chicken, optional tomatoes, Parmesan, and parsley. Enjoy immediately!
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are no thicker than 3/4-inch for thorough cooking. Slice or tenderize thick breasts if needed.
- For optimal flavor, use a high-quality Cajun seasoning mix instead of making your own.
- Cavatappi pasta is recommended, but you can substitute with other larger pasta like fettuccine, penne, or shells.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
