Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

$- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed - 12 ounces fettuccine pasta - 4 cups chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper, to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) For this recipe, it’s crucial to measure your ingredients correctly. You want 1 pound of chicken, cut into cubes. Use 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta for the right texture. Four cups of chicken broth give great flavor. One cup of heavy cream adds creaminess. One cup of grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully. Use three cloves of minced garlic for a lovely taste. One teaspoon of Italian seasoning brings everything together. Lastly, season with salt and pepper to suit your taste. You can switch out the chicken for turkey or shrimp. If you want a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta. If you can't find fettuccine, any pasta shape works well. You can also use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a dairy-free version. Feel free to adjust seasonings based on your preferences. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by pressing the Sauté button on your Instant Pot. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat for about a minute. Next, take one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into cubes. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes to the pot. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté the chicken for about five minutes, or until it is browned on all sides. Then, add three cloves of minced garlic and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook this for one to two more minutes until you smell the garlic. Now, pour in four cups of chicken broth. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with a spatula. This step helps avoid burning the food. Next, add 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta. Ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the broth. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook for four minutes. Once the timer goes off, perform a quick release of the pressure. Be careful when opening the lid. After you open the lid, stir in one cup of heavy cream and one cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Mix everything well until it is smooth. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Let the mixture sit for about five minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken a bit. When you're ready, serve the meal hot. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo! To get the best creamy sauce, always use heavy cream. This makes the sauce rich. Stir the cream in after cooking. Add it slowly while mixing. The heat will help it blend well. Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh. Pre-grated cheese can clump. Mix the cheese in right after the cream. This keeps the sauce smooth. One mistake is not deglazing the pot. Always scrape the bottom after adding broth. This prevents burning and keeps the flavor. Another issue is overcooking the pasta. Fettuccine needs just four minutes in the pot. If you cook it longer, it turns mushy. Finally, don’t forget to taste your dish. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Start with the basic salt and pepper. Taste the dish before serving. If it needs more flavor, add a pinch of salt. You can also add more Italian seasoning. For a twist, sprinkle in some garlic powder or onion powder. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can enhance the taste too. Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Pasta: To ensure your fettuccine is cooked al dente, stir it into the broth and chicken mixture right before sealing the Instant Pot. This prevents overcooking during pressure cooking. Enhance the Flavor: For an even richer flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the pot before deglazing. This adds depth to the sauce. Thickening the Sauce: If your Alfredo sauce is too thin, let it sit for a few extra minutes after adding the cream and cheese. This allows it to thicken naturally before serving. Storage Tips: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove with a splash of broth to restore creaminess. {{image_2}} You can easily add vegetables to your Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo. Spinach, broccoli, or peas work great. Just chop them into small pieces. Add them to the pot during the last minute of cooking. This way, they cook but stay crisp. This makes your dish colorful and adds nutrition. You can also use mixed veggies for more flavor. Fettuccine is classic, but you can switch it up. Try penne, rotini, or whole wheat pasta. These options can change the dish's texture and taste. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time. Thin pasta cooks faster, while thicker pasta may need a minute more. Always check your pasta so it doesn’t get too soft. Spice up your Chicken Alfredo with different herbs. Basil, thyme, or oregano can add depth. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives a nice kick. You can also try lemon zest for a fresh taste. Mix and match your favorite flavors. This helps you create a dish that feels new every time you make it! After you finish your meal, let the leftovers cool down. Use an airtight container to keep the Chicken Alfredo fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This helps keep the creamy sauce nice and tasty. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, use the stove or microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of broth or cream. This will help keep the dish moist. Heat it over low heat until warm. If you use the microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir in between to avoid hot spots. To freeze Chicken Alfredo, let it cool completely. Place it in freezer-safe containers. You can freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, use the stove to heat it gently. Add a little cream or broth for the best texture. Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Make sure to check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it’s safe to eat. If you use frozen chicken, the Instant Pot will take a bit longer to heat up. This means your meal will still taste great! Fettuccine is the best pasta for Chicken Alfredo. Its wide shape holds the creamy sauce well. Other good choices include linguine or tagliatelle. Choose a pasta that you enjoy! The key is to cook it just right so it does not get mushy. To make Chicken Alfredo dairy-free, swap the heavy cream for coconut milk or almond milk. Use a dairy-free cheese substitute instead of Parmesan. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor too! This way, you still get a creamy dish without the dairy. This blog post covered all you need to know for making Chicken Alfredo. We discussed the key ingredients, how to prepare the chicken, and tips for the best sauce. You learned easy ways to add veggies and make healthy swaps. Storing and reheating leftovers are simple too. With these steps, you’ll create a creamy dish that fits your taste. Enjoy your cooking journey and share this recipe with others!$

Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

A rich and creamy chicken Alfredo made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
12 ounces fettuccine pasta
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot. Add the olive oil and let it heat for a minute.
Add the cubed chicken breasts to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent any burning (deglazing).
Add the fettuccine pasta, making sure it's submerged in the broth.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook for 4 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure.
Carefully open the lid and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley on top.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley for added flavor.

Keyword Alfredo, chicken, instant pot, pasta