Easy Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
There’s something about juicy seasoned chicken nestled in between al dente cooked penne pasta and crisp-tender broccoli all tossed together in a creamy cheese sauce that’s irresistible. Actually, what’s almost more irresistible is that this is an easy instant pot pasta recipe, yes it’s a one-pot meal, and it’s ready in 30 minutes. And the nice thing about using an Instant Pot is that the pasta cooks in the same pot you cook the chicken in, no separate boiling and draining required. You also make the heavenly sauce with cream cheese, heavy cream, Colby Jack, and Parmesan cheese in that same pot too. But don’t worry if you don’t have an Instant Pot or other similar pressure cooker, because stovetop cooking directions are also provided. However you decide to make this cheesy broccoli chicken pasta recipe, it’ll be a guaranteed family favorite, especially on busy weeknights when you’re trying to get dinner on the table quickly and satisfy a variety of tastes and preferences.
Ingredients in Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta
This Instant Pot chicken broccoli pasta recipe is made with simple pantry and refrigerator staples that you may already have on hand. Quick, easy, and inexpensive – what’s not to love? Let’s take a look at your shopping list:
Unsalted butter or olive oil Smoked paprika Garlic powder Onion powder Mustard powder Salt Freshly ground black pepper Boneless skinless chicken breast Penne pasta Reduced sodium chicken broth Cream cheese – make sure to use full-fat cream cheese, nothing labeled lite, reduced fat, or spreadable as they aren’t great for making creamy cheese sauces Fresh broccoli florets Heavy cream – you could potentially get away with half-and-half, I don’t recommend using milk with less fat than that Colby jack cheese – I like Colby Jack because it melts well and is pretty neutral as cheese goes, coupled with the Parmesan for a sharper bite and punch of flavor. However, other cheeses that you like such as shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack are also good choices Parmesan cheese Fresh basil, optional for garnishing Crushed red pepper flakes, optional for garnishing
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Pasta with Chicken in an Instant Pot
This one-pot dinner recipe is a well-rounded meal that your pressure cooker practically much makes for you. It’s the definition of a hassle-free recipe with very little prep time when you follow my straightforward and simple directions: Because if you use too much or not enough of one ingredient you run the risk of everything from undercooked pasta to soupy chicken.
How to Make Chicken Broccoli Pasta on the Stove
If you don’t have an Instant Pot but still want to make this easy broccoli pasta with chicken, it’s fast and easy on the stove, too. It’s a two-pot recipe – one to cook the chicken, one to boil the pasta and broccoli – and it’ll all be ready in about 25 minutes. For stovetop cooking directions, do as follows:
Troubleshooting Tips
We aren’t perfect and neither is cooking. If things happen to go awry, here are some common culprits and how to fix it: Reheat it gently in the microwave. LeCrueset 11.75-inches with Lid. The lid isn’t completely necessary for this recipe, but it’s a nice touch when you’re trying to get the cheese and cream cheese to melt by covering it. All-Clad D5 Stainless Steel Essential Pan, 4-Quart. Another one that is a workhorse and my favorite thing to make in this pan is Chicken Pad Thai because it holds a ton!
Dry, hard, or undercooked pasta – means there was too much pasta AND/OR too little liquid. To Fix – You could correct this by adding more liquid, sealing the machine, and cooking again until the pasta cooks through by absorbing the available liquid. However, it gets tricky to know how much liquid to add and how long additionally to pressure cook. Very soupy pasta and chicken mixture – means that you added too much liquid AND/OR not enough pasta and all the liquid wasn’t necessary and wasn’t absorbed during the cooking process and some is still floating around with the pasta and chicken. To Fix – You can correct this by allow the mixture to cook a bit more. I would saute it all, uncovered, to encourage the excess liquid to boil off as steam. However, you run the risk of drying out the chicken a bit. Bottom Line – Measure correctly and exactly, set your Instant Pot to the recommended times, and simply follow the recipe the first time you make it before attempting to change it or make substitutions.
More Easy Chicken and Pasta Recipes:
Lemon Butter Garlic Chicken Pasta — Buttery pasta with juicy chicken, flavored with lemon butter and garlic, and finished with Parmesan cheese! A family-friendly dinner recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes and it’s so EASY! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Chicken Chorizo Pasta — Tender pasta shells are mixed with chorizo and seasoned shredded chicken in a cream cheese and tomato based sauce for a truly FLAVORFUL comfort food dinner recipe! Ready in 45 minutes, EASY, and with just the right amount of heat to have everyone asking for seconds! Parmesan Chicken and Spinach Pasta – EASY and ready in 20 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, a hint of lemon, and the PERFECT amount of Parmesan! Great for busy weeknights and the extra is good for meal prepping! Parmesan Pesto Chicken Penne — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and every piece of tender chicken and pasta is coated in fresh pesto sauce and parmesan cheese! Great for easy weeknight dinners, planned leftovers, or for parties because it feeds a crowd! Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta — EASY and ready in 15 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, and there is so much ZESTY flavor from the lemon, basil, and spinach! A family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Honey Lemon Chicken Pasta – Ready in 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal! Pair with a simple salad or veggies and extra lemon wedges to amp up the lemon flavor. Your family will love this easy pasta recipe! One-Bag Lemon Chicken and Pasta – An EASY lemon chicken and pasta recipe that’s family-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights! Everything cooks in ONE bag! The chicken is juicy, the pasta is tender, and cleanup is a breeze! Chicken Asparagus Pasta — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and the asparagus, tomatoes, and basil keep this chicken and pasta recipe tasting LIGHTER and FRESHER! Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad – This chicken pasta salad is loaded with flavor, ready in minutes, and showcases Mediterranean-inspired ingredients! It’s perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues (no mayo!) and feeds a crowd. Or make it as an EASY family dinner with planned leftovers!
