Instant Pot Crazy Good Casserole—chicken, cheese and bacon?! A sure crowd pleaser! Make it fast in your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Crazy Good Casserole
I found this recipe somewhere on facebook and the author called it crazy good casserole. Her version was made on the stovetop and in the oven. Mine, of course, is simplified and made all in one pot, the Instant Pot. This makes clean up a breeze! It’s a cheesy pasta bake with crispy bacon and tender bites of chicken. Both my kids loved this and they enjoyed the leftovers the next day.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot with no changes.
- I used a fun pasta I found at Smiths called Italian Trottole. It was like a wider, less curly rotini. You can also use elbow macaroni, cavatappi, bowties, penne, small shells, etc.
- I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs which turned out really tasty when lightly sauteed in the bacon grease and cut across the grain. You can also use chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins although they won’t be as moist and tender. Another choice would be to use sliced smoked sausage for a flavor boost!
- You can use whatever cheese you like best or a combination of cheeses. Try cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, pepperjack etc.
- I used 4 ounces of cream cheese but I think it would be even better (duh) with 8 ounces of cream cheese. You can just lay it on top of the pasta and it gets all soft and you can easily stir it into the pasta.
- I kept thinking that this would be good with some diced tomatoes or sundried tomatoes. I just love tomatoes. I also think it would be good with some chopped spinach or some steamed broccoli stirred in. Try topping it with some crispy panko breadcrumbs and browning it up with your air fryer lid. So many ideas of ways to make it in the future!
More Amazing Instant Pot Recipes…
Instant Pot Lazy Wife’s Dinner
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Instant Pot Crazy Good Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Chicken, cheese and bacon?! A sure crowd pleaser! Make it fast in your Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 3 pieces of bacon
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tbsp Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
- 8 oz spiral pasta (like rotini)
- 4–8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Use kitchen shears to cut up the raw bacon into 1 inch pieces. Add the bacon into the Instant Pot and let it cook.
- While the bacon pieces are cooking cut the excess fat off the thicken thighs and cut the thighs (across the grain) into bite size pieces.
- When the bacon is crispy use a slotted spoon to move it to a paper towel lined plate.
- Toss the chicken pieces into the bacon grease that remains in the Instant Pot. Lightly brown the chicken pieces for a couple minutes Turn off the Instant Pot.
- Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and poultry seasoning. Pour the water into the pot and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking.
- Add in the bouillon base and the pasta. Add the cream cheese on top (use anywhere between 4 and 8 ounces). Don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit there for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid. Stir.
- Sprinkle the cheese and the bacon on top. Let the cheese melt. (I used my crisper lid for this part…air fry setting at 400° F for 2 minutes).
- Scoop up and serve.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
*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.
OMG! The BEST thing I’ve made in my IP yet & I’ve been using my IP for years! The chicken just melted in my mouth & leftovers are just as good as the first day!! Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!!
★★★★★
I’m so happy to hear it! Thanks for the 5 stars Anne!
I am never sure how to measure pasta. Is 8 oz. a standard cup size? What about egg noodles and spaghetti? You’re the first place I look for recipes so I know you’ll have the answer..
When I say 8 ounces it means how much weighed pasta it is. I use a digital kitchen scale. They are so handy I suggest you buy one!
I just made this tonight. I have an 8 qt pot and had to modify a little. I added 1.5 more cups of water before pressure cooking because the liquid wasn’t covering the pasta. When it was done, I had to add 2 more cups of water because the pasta on top was still slightly crunchy, could be because I used penne which is thicker than a lot of others. I turned the pot back on saute and stirred up the cream cheese with the pasta and chicken while the pasta cooked a little more. I also added about half a pound of bacon instead of just a few strips because the family loves bacon. It was great, more of a carbonara flavor than anything. I can’t wait to make it again.
I’m glad you had good results! Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
Crazy good casserole. Can i make this in the oven?
You could do this on the stovetop and then transfer to a baking dish and bake in the oven. You’d have to boil pasta separately, saute the chicken pieces, soften the cream cheese, etc. I’d bake for 20 minutes in the oven at 350
I just made this for a group of 9 so I doubled the recipe and wow it was delicious! I’ve never received so many compliments
★★★★★
Glad to hear it! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I have lost count on how many of your recipes I’ve tried and we have really loved them all! This one was no exception. The only thing I’ll do differently next time is double the recipe! Thanks yet again for a delicious and easy recipe!
★★★★★
Thanks so much for the 5 stars!
Karen, I am severely diabetic, may I use chicken breasts vs. thighs. Would the cooking time be different in the instant Pot. Thank you for your time Karen, I am a true fan of yours.
Hi Linda! You can also use chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins although they won’t be as moist and tender. The same time should be used.
Can u just use bacon crumbles and start with adding chicken to pot along with spices etc?
When would you add tomatoes and/or spinach?
Yes you can do that. I would add canned diced tomatoes in with the pasta. If adding fresh add them in with the bacon after pressure cooking time is up. Spinach can be stirred in after pressure cooking time until wilted.