I stumbled upon a recipe that quickly became my favorite dinner delight. Combining tender chicken, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy sauce all with perfectly cooked pasta, my Insta Pot Chicken Pasta creation is truly exciting. Every bite offers a burst of flavor that makes it irresistibly satisfying and fun to prepare.

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I recently tried out my Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe and honestly, it’s been a game changer for quick weeknight dinners. I started with 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken thighs, seasoned with salt and pepper, and browned them in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

After tossing in 3 garlic cloves, minced just right, I added a cup of chicken broth and a can of diced tomatoes to build the base of the dish. Then I stirred in a cup of heavy cream and 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, along with a touch of Italian seasoning and a hint of red pepper flakes for that subtle kick.

I used 12 ounces of penne pasta which absorbs all that creamy goodness perfectly. This recipe is exactly the kind of easy Instapot meal that reminds me of other quick and healthy one pot recipes I’ve loved before.

It took me less than 30 minutes from start to finish and turned out amazing every time. Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a few reasons. First, I like that it only takes less than 30 minutes to make, which means I can whip it up even on busy weeknights. The creamy sauce with garlic and Parmesan is so comforting to me and always makes me feel like I’m treating myself. I also really appreciate how easy it is to throw everything into the Instant Pot and let it do all the work, so cleanup is super quick too. Finally, the mix of flavors from the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning really keeps the dish interesting and makes each bite delicious.

Ingredients

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Chicken thighs offer protein and a rich, satisfying flavor that makes the meal hearty.
Olive oil adds healthy fats and a smooth taste to tie the ingredients together.
Diced tomatoes bring a tangy, fresh burst of flavor while adding a bit of fiber.
Heavy cream gives a rich, velvety texture and balances the dish with a subtle sweetness.
Fresh basil offers a fragrant herbal note and a hint of natural freshness.

Ingredient Quantities

1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup chicken broth

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

12 ounces pasta (penne works great)

Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Turn your Instant Pot on to saute mode and heat up the olive oil. Once it’s hot, add the minced garlic and cook it for about a minute until it smells really good.

2. Season your chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper and then add them into the pot. Sear them on each side for roughly 2-3 minutes until they get a nice light brown color.

3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the can of diced tomatoes along with their juice.

4. Next, stir in the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.

5. Mix in the pasta making sure it is mostly submerged in the liquid.

6. Cancel the saute mode, secure the Instant Pot lid, and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes.

7. Once the time is up, let the pot naturally release pressure for about 5 minutes then do a quick release for any left over pressure.

8. Carefully open the lid and check to see if the chicken is cooked through. If you like, remove the chicken and shred or chop it up before returning it back to the pot.

9. Give everything a good stir so the cheese melts perfectly into the creamy sauce.

10. Serve the pasta hot and garnish with fresh basil if you’re using it. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot with sauté and pressure cook functions plus a secure lid
2. Chef’s knife and cutting board to prep garlic and chicken
3. Measuring cups and measuring spoons for liquids and seasonings
4. Wooden or silicone spatula for stirring
5. Tongs to flip or remove chicken
6. Oven mitts to safely handle the hot lid and pot
7. Ladle for serving the hot pasta

FAQ

Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

A: Sure you can, but sometimes breasts tend to get a bit drier if overcooked so keep a close eye on the timer.

Q: When should I add the pasta?

A: The pasta goes in with the rest of the ingredients so it cooks in the sauce, but if it seems too soft after you release pressure, try reducing the liquid next time.

Q: What makes this recipe "Marry Me Chicken"?

A: Its called that cause the dish is super yummy and comforting and could impress anyone enough to make a lifelong commitment.

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?

A: Absolutely, any short pasta like rigatoni or shells works too so feel free to experiment a bit.

Q: How do I get a thicker sauce?

A: If you like a thicker sauce then switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode after pressure cooking so you can let it simmer a bit, stirring often.

Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have chicken thighs, you can use chicken breasts or even try turkey for a twist.
If you’re out of chicken broth, vegetable broth works just fine or even water in a pinch.
Don’t have heavy cream? Mix half and half with a little butter or try coconut milk for a dairy free option.
If Parmesan cheese isn’t available, Pecorino Romano is a great alternative that adds a sharp flavor.
For the pasta, if you don’t have penne, fusilli or rigatoni can be used instead.

Pro Tips

1. Try and let the pot heat up really well before you throw in the garlic, so it gets all nice and fragrant; it makes a big difference in the overall flavor of the dish.

2. After searing the chicken, be sure to deglaze the pot with the broth by stirring up all the tasty bits stuck to the bottom. This not only prevents that burn notice but also adds tons of flavor to your sauce.

3. Mix the pasta in well so its completely submerged in the cream and tomatoes. If it sticks out, the pasta might not cook evenly so give it a good stir before the pressure kicks in.

4. When the cooking time is up, let it naturally release for about 5 minutes before doing a quick release. It helps the pasta and chicken finish cooking without getting mushy, and the sauce stays smooth.

Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

875

kcal

Equipment: 1. Instant Pot with sauté and pressure cook functions plus a secure lid
2. Chef’s knife and cutting board to prep garlic and chicken
3. Measuring cups and measuring spoons for liquids and seasonings
4. Wooden or silicone spatula for stirring
5. Tongs to flip or remove chicken
6. Oven mitts to safely handle the hot lid and pot
7. Ladle for serving the hot pasta

Ingredients

1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 ounces pasta (penne works great)
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Directions

Turn your Instant Pot on to saute mode and heat up the olive oil. Once it's hot, add the minced garlic and cook it for about a minute until it smells really good.
Season your chicken thighs or breasts with salt and pepper and then add them into the pot. Sear them on each side for roughly 2-3 minutes until they get a nice light brown color.
Pour in the chicken broth and add the can of diced tomatoes along with their juice.
Next, stir in the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.
Mix in the pasta making sure it is mostly submerged in the liquid.
Cancel the saute mode, secure the Instant Pot lid, and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once the time is up, let the pot naturally release pressure for about 5 minutes then do a quick release for any left over pressure.
Carefully open the lid and check to see if the chicken is cooked through. If you like, remove the chicken and shred or chop it up before returning it back to the pot.
Give everything a good stir so the cheese melts perfectly into the creamy sauce.
Serve the pasta hot and garnish with fresh basil if you're using it. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.