Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo (Printable)
Tender chicken and fettuccine in a rich parmesan garlic sauce, made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-size pieces
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine, broken in half
→ Dairy
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Liquids
06 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - ½ tsp black pepper
10 - ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning (optional)
→ Garnish
11 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
12 - Extra parmesan (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode. Melt the butter, then add the chicken pieces. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until just starting to turn golden (do not fully cook). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
02 - Cancel 'Sauté' mode. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
03 - Layer the pasta over the chicken. Press lightly so the pasta is slightly submerged but do not stir.
04 - Seal the Instant Pot. Cook on 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' (high pressure) for 6 minutes.
05 - Carefully quick release the pressure. Open the lid, add the heavy cream and parmesan. Stir vigorously for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and the pasta is fully coated and creamy.
06 - Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything happens in one pot, meaning minimal cleanup maximum comfort
- The sauce develops this incredible silky texture that feels restaurant quality but takes 30 minutes
02 -
- The sauce might look thin right after pressure cooking but it transforms as you stir in the cream and cheese
- Breaking the pasta in half before adding it prevents it from tangling and makes serving so much easier
03 -
- Stir vigorously when adding the cream and cheese this friction is what helps emulsify the sauce properly
- Let the pot cool for a minute before quick releasing to minimize foaming