Description
Creamy instant pot chicken pasta brings comfort and convenience to weeknight dinners with its rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a quick meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 1.5 lb (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Pasta and Base:
- 1 lb (454 grams) box of rotini pasta, uncooked
- 4 cups (950 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Cheese and Greens:
- 1 cup (236 milliliters) or 8 ounces (226 grams) cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) block cream cheese
- 5 ounces (142 grams) baby fresh spinach
Instructions
- Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté mode at medium heat, drizzle olive oil, and allow it to warm for 60 seconds. Introduce diced chicken, stirring periodically until the meat transforms from pink to a golden hue, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Generously coat the chicken with ranch seasoning mix, ensuring every piece is evenly seasoned and aromatic.
- Strategically layer rotini pasta atop the seasoned chicken without stirring, then carefully pour chicken broth over the pasta, maintaining the layered arrangement.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, program to high pressure for precisely 4 minutes. The device will require several minutes to reach optimal pressure.
- Execute a swift pressure release by carefully adjusting the valve. Once depressurized, incorporate cream cheese, shredded cheddar, crispy bacon bits, and fresh spinach. Vigorously blend until the cheese completely melts and spinach slightly wilts.
- Transfer the creamy pasta directly to serving dishes, ensuring consumption while the mixture remains piping hot and luxuriously smooth.
Notes
- Customize the ranch seasoning by making your own blend for a personalized flavor profile and to control sodium levels.
- Ensure chicken is cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent some chunks from being undercooked or overdone.
- Replace regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.
- Reduce bacon for a lighter version or substitute with turkey bacon for a lower-fat option while maintaining that smoky flavor element.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg