Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Instant Pot Chicken Margherita Pasta


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 7 reviews

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
  • Total Time: 14 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Description

Penne pasta, bites of chicken, halved grape tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil and mozzarella all come together in a simple but totally flavorful one pot meal. You won’t be able to stop eating this one! 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne rigate uncooked pasta (I used my digital scale* to measure my pasta)
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (or 2 1/4 cups or water and 2 1/4 tsp of better than bouillon chicken base*)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bite size pieces
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp fresh chopped basil or 3 Tbsp of basil from the squeeze tube
  • 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes
  • 3/4 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Pour pasta into the bottom of your instant pot. Add in the chicken broth. Try to cover most of the pasta with the chicken broth. Pour in the olive oil. Place chicken pieces on top. Salt and pepper the chicken.
  2. Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to “sealing.” Set the manual button or pressure cook button (depending on your instant pot model) to 3 minutes for al dente pasta and 4 minute for pasta that is a little more soft. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure by moving the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
  3. Turn the pot to the saute setting. Stir in the vinegar, basil, tomatoes and cheese. When cheese is melted turn the pot to the keep warm setting.
  4. Serve the pasta as soon as possible and enjoy!

Notes

I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*

Stovetop Directions: I don’t have a slow cooker version of this recipe because I don’t love how pasta turns out in the slow cooker. You could however make this on your stovetop. Here are the directions: Cook the chicken in the olive oil in a pan. Salt and pepper. Set aside. In a large pot cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain off the water. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Return pasta back into the pot. Toss in reserved pasta water. Stir in the chicken, vinegar, basil, tomatoes and cheese. Let the cheese melt. Serve immediately.

  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Instant Pot

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 415
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 460 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Protein: 35 g