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Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo

Quick & Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli: Your Ultimate One-Pot Family Dinner

Inside: Say goodbye to complicated weeknight meals! This incredibly Easy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe is destined to become a beloved staple in your family’s rotation. Imagine tender, perfectly cooked chicken, smothered in a rich, homemade Alfredo sauce, all tossed with perfectly al dente fettuccine noodles and vibrant broccoli. It’s a satisfying, comforting, and surprisingly simple meal that your kids will be begging you to make again and again!

If you’re anything like me, a long day often culminates in a craving for comfort food. And for this pasta enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like a generous bowl of pasta to truly hit the spot. Seriously, I’m not exaggerating when I say my commitment to the gym is partly fueled by my desire to indulge in glorious pasta dishes like this one. (Okay, and those two blissful hours of quiet while the kids are at the kid zone are pretty great too!).

This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo pasta isn’t just “one of my favorite” dishes; it’s hands down a contender for the top spot. Even my husband, who typically shies away from store-bought Alfredo sauces, wholeheartedly enjoys this homemade version. It’s proof that a little effort in making things from scratch, especially with the help of a pressure cooker, goes a long way.

Why the Instant Pot is Your Secret Weapon for Chicken Alfredo

The Instant Pot isn’t just a kitchen gadget; it’s a game-changer, especially for busy weeknights. When it comes to a dish like Chicken Alfredo, its magic truly shines. This single appliance transforms what could be a multi-pot, time-consuming affair into a streamlined, one-pot wonder. You’re not just saving time; you’re also significantly cutting down on cleanup, which, let’s be honest, is half the battle after a satisfying meal.

With the Instant Pot, you can sauté your chicken, build your sauce, cook your pasta, and even steam your vegetables – all in the same pot! This ensures all the flavors meld beautifully, creating a depth of taste that’s hard to achieve with conventional stovetop methods. The pressure cooking not only speeds up the cooking time but also helps tenderize the chicken and cook the pasta to perfection, ensuring a consistent and delicious result every time.

The Undeniable Charm of Homemade Alfredo Sauce

For many years, the idea of making Alfredo sauce from scratch seemed daunting. In my mind, anything homemade felt like a complex, culinary challenge. But let me tell you, y’all – homemade Alfredo sauce is surprisingly simple! Forget those preconceived notions; it’s essentially a “dump it in and stir” process that yields incredibly rich, fresh flavors that store-bought jars simply can’t match.

The beauty of making your own Alfredo sauce lies in its simplicity and the quality of ingredients. Fresh garlic, rich heavy cream, and real Parmesan cheese come together to create a velvety, indulgent sauce that is far superior to any pre-made option. You control the seasoning, the thickness, and the overall profile, ensuring it’s perfectly tailored to your taste. Once you try this method, you’ll wonder why you ever did it any other way!

The Power of Adding Broccoli to Your Pasta

When I prepare this dish, I personally prefer to include broccoli, transforming it into a more complete and nutritious meal. Broccoli is an absolute powerhouse, packed full of fantastic nutrients like protein, calcium, and iron. While some nutrients are indeed lost during the cooking process, it remains an excellent vegetable to incorporate into your family’s diet.

Adding broccoli into pasta dishes like this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is one of my go-to tricks for encouraging even the pickiest eaters to at least try their veggies. The florets absorb the creamy Alfredo sauce, making them more appealing, and the vibrant green adds a wonderful pop of color and texture to the dish. It’s a simple, effective way to sneak in some extra goodness without compromising on flavor.

Gathering Your Ingredients for This Delicious Meal

One of the best parts about this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe is that it relies on a handful of readily available, simple ingredients that come together to create something truly spectacular. Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s ensure you have everything you need ready to go. Having your ingredients prepped and measured makes the cooking experience smooth and enjoyable.

Key Components for Flavor and Texture

  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe, as they cook quickly and absorb the flavors beautifully. Cubing them ensures even cooking.
  • Chicken Broth: Essential for building the liquid base in the Instant Pot, contributing to both the sauce and the pasta cooking.
  • Frozen Broccoli: A convenient and nutritious addition that cooks perfectly alongside the pasta and chicken.
  • Fettuccine Noodles: The classic choice for Alfredo, offering a substantial surface area to cling to the rich sauce. Breaking them in half helps them fit well in the Instant Pot.
  • Olive Oil: Used for browning the chicken, adding an initial layer of flavor.
  • Salt & Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance all the other ingredients.
  • Salted Butter: The base of our rich Alfredo sauce, providing a creamy texture and depth of flavor.
  • Minced Garlic: Crucial for that aromatic, savory kick that defines a great Alfredo. Don’t skimp on the garlic!
  • Heavy Cream: The star of the Alfredo sauce, creating its signature velvety, luxurious texture.
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce, adding a salty, umami-rich finish. Freshly grated is always best.
  • Fresh Basil: For a vibrant, fragrant garnish that brightens up the dish right before serving.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Perfection

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s walk through the simple steps to create this incredible Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward process, especially with the magic of pressure cooking. Follow these instructions closely for a flawless and delicious meal.

  1. Begin by pressing the “Saute” button on your Instant Pot. Allow it to heat until the display reads “HOT.” Once hot, add the olive oil to the pot, letting it warm for a moment.
  2. While the pot heats, cube your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with black pepper (we’ll add salt later). Carefully add the seasoned chicken cubes to the hot Instant Pot to brown. Cook for approximately 2 minutes on each side. The goal here is just to get a nice golden-brown sear on the outside, locking in flavor; the chicken does not need to be cooked through at this stage.
  3. Once the chicken pieces are nicely browned, remove them from the Instant Pot and transfer them to a clean plate. Set aside for later.
  4. Add the salted butter to the Instant Pot, allowing it to melt. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30-60 seconds, until it becomes wonderfully fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.
  5. After the garlic is fragrant, pour in the heavy cream. Gently simmer the cream and garlic mixture for 2-3 minutes. While it simmers, use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom of the pot, dislodging any browned bits from the cooked chicken. This “deglazing” step is crucial for adding extra flavor to your sauce and also helps prevent a “BURN” warning during pressure cooking. Once the mixture begins to slightly thicken, pour in the chicken broth and add the salt. Stir well to combine.
  6. Break your dry fettuccine noodles in half. Carefully place the broken noodles into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the liquid. You might need to gently push them down with your spatula. Evenly distribute the browned chicken breasts and the frozen broccoli florets on top of the noodles. Avoid stirring at this point, as layering helps prevent the noodles from clumping and ensures even cooking.
  7. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and make sure the sealing vent is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” (or “Manual”) setting on High pressure and set the cooking time for 10 minutes.
  8. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 8-10 minutes. This means you do nothing after the timer goes off; just let it sit. After 8-10 minutes of natural release, carefully turn the sealing vent to the “Venting” position to quick release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, you can safely open the lid.
  9. Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until it is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce, creating a thick, creamy texture. Finally, stir in the freshly chopped basil just before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Every Time

Achieving a perfect Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is simple, but a few extra tips can elevate your dish from good to absolutely unforgettable. Keep these pointers in mind for consistent success:

  • Deglazing is Key: Don’t skip step 5! Scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon after browning the chicken and adding liquid is vital. This not only adds incredible depth of flavor from the fond (the browned bits) but also prevents the “BURN” error message from appearing on your Instant Pot display.
  • Noodle Placement Matters: When adding the fettuccine, try to crisscross the noodles or spread them out as much as possible, ensuring they are submerged in the liquid. Avoid stirring after adding the noodles, chicken, and broccoli, as this can prevent proper cooking and increase the chances of sticking.
  • Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Allowing a natural pressure release for 8-10 minutes is important for this recipe. It helps the pasta finish cooking gently and prevents the sauce from becoming too thin or splitting.
  • Adjusting Consistency: If your sauce seems too thin after stirring in the cheese, you can hit the “Saute” button again (on low) and simmer gently for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, a splash more chicken broth or cream can thin it out.
  • Vegetable Variations: While broccoli is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other quick-cooking vegetables. Peas, spinach (stirred in at the end), or even thinly sliced bell peppers could work well.
  • Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic or at the end can provide a wonderful kick.
  • Cheese Quality: Use good quality Parmesan cheese, preferably freshly shredded from a block, for the best flavor and melting consistency. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect how smoothly it melts.

Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings

This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli is a hearty and satisfying meal all on its own, but a few simple additions can truly complete the dining experience. For a well-rounded meal, consider pairing it with a light, fresh side salad tossed with a vinaigrette dressing. The crispness and acidity of the salad beautifully cut through the richness of the Alfredo. A side of warm, crusty garlic bread or breadsticks is also an absolute must for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. A glass of crisp white wine, like a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, would also complement the flavors wonderfully.

A Weeknight Wonder Your Family Will Love

There you have it – a truly easy, delicious, and incredibly satisfying Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week. This dish combines the convenience of pressure cooking with the comforting flavors of a classic Italian-American favorite, all while sneaking in some healthy greens. It’s a testament to how simple homemade can be, even on the busiest of schedules. Get ready for clean plates and requests for seconds; this is one recipe that’s sure to become a beloved cornerstone of your family’s meal rotation!

INSTANT POT CHICKEN ALFREDO RECIPE

YIELDS 6

Freestyle SmartPoints 16

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 20 min

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups frozen broccoli
  • 1 pound dry fettuccine noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Press saute button on Instant Pot and heat olive oil until display reads “HOT”.
  2. Cube chicken breasts and season with pepper. Add to your Instant Pot to brown. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Do not cook all the way through, just brown the outside.
  3. Once the chicken is browned remove to a plate.
  4. Melt butter in the pot and stir in minced garlic. Once butter is melted and garlic is fragrant, pour in the heavy cream.
  5. Simmer the cream and garlic for 2-3 minutes while scraping the bottom of the pot with a spatula to release the browned bits from the cooked chicken. Once the mixture begins to thicken, pour in the chicken broth and salt.
  6. Break dry fettuccine noodles in half and submerge the noodles completely in your Instant Pot. Add the browned chicken breasts and frozen broccoli to the top.
  7. Cover the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Allow pot to naturally release for 8-10 minutes once done cooking.
  8. Stir in cheese and chopped basil before serving. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 5499 cal
  • Fat: 245 g
  • Carbs: 396 g
  • Protein: 388 g

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And if you are looking for more Instant Pot Chicken Recipes, head over here to find all the chicken recipes that we have shared on Easy Instant Recipes! Happy cooking!