Deep South Casserole–an Instant Pot cajun chicken pasta packed with tender chicken thighs, smoky tomato flavor, a little kick of heat and cheesy rotini pasta.
Deep South Casserole
I loved this one because it’s got so much yummy flavor without being crazy spicy. If you love spice you can totally kick it up with extra hot sauce if you want! Another idea is to add in some cooked shrimp after the pressure cooking time is up for some extra protein. This one is easy, fast, and so satisfying! (Recipe adapted from Deep South Pasta Casserole on Best of Vegan).
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive Oil–or canola, vegetable
- Onion
- Celery Rib
- Cajun Seasoning Salt
- Chicken Broth–or water and Better than Bouillon chicken base
- Hot Sauce–I used Frank’s
- Garlic Powder
- Liquid Smoke
- Black Pepper
- Tricolor Rotini Pasta–I found this in the bulk section at Winco
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Bell Pepper–I used orange
- Tomato Paste
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese–I like sharp
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the olive oil, onions and celery. Sauté for 4 minutes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning salt.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot. Stir in the hot sauce, garlic powder, liquid smoke and black pepper.
Sprinkle in the pasta. Lay chicken on top of pasta.
Dump the tomatoes, peppers and tomato paste on top.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 3 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir in the cheddar.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with garlic bread, a green salad or green beans.
- Freeze leftover tomato paste in one tablespoon increments for the next recipe that calls for it.
- Try stirring in thawed cooked shrimp after the pressure cook time is up.
- I used my 4 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3, 6 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with cajun seasoning are Instant Pot Cajun Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans and Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Deep South Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes (plus 5-10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
An Instant Pot cajun chicken pasta packed with tender chicken thighs, smoky tomato flavor, a little kick of heat and cheesy rotini pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 celery rib, sliced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning salt
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
- Pinch of black pepper
- 6 oz tricolor rotini pasta
- 16 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (I used orange)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the olive oil, onions and celery. Sauté for 4 minutes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning salt.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Stir in the hot sauce, garlic powder, liquid smoke and black pepper. Sprinkle in the pasta. Lay chicken on top of pasta. Dump the tomatoes, peppers and tomato paste on top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 3 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the cheddar.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Ultimate Chicken Casserole
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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