Instant Pot Creamy Basil Chicken and Tortellini–tender bites of chicken breast and cheesy tortellini are served in a creamy tomato basil sauce. This recipe is made in your electric pressure cooker in minutes!
(Get the recipe for SLOW COOKER Creamy Basil Chicken and Tortellini here)
Instant Pot Creamy Basil Chicken and Tortellini
Sometimes I get inspiration for new recipes at the grocery store. I saw something in the frozen aisle called creamy basil chicken with tortellini and it sounded so good. I knew that the frozen dinner version would be mediocre at best so I got to work on making a homemade version that would be a dinner delight.
Making this instant pot creamy basil chicken and tortellini in the electric pressure cooker is a bit tricky because the chicken requires a different cooking time than the tortellini. So I decided to pressure cook the chicken first and then add in the bag of frozen tortellini later and use a zero pressure cook time for the pasta. It worked perfectly. Although it is a bit of a bummer that the pot has to come to pressure twice. C’est la vie!
Three reasons you should make this recipe:
- It is family friendly. There is no spiciness. Pasta in a creamy sauce and chicken breasts is a pretty neutral food for most palettes.
- This is pretty much an all in one meal. Serve this with a green salad and dinner is done.
- The combination of the fresh basil and the tomato reminds me of caprese salad…which is delicious. The flavors also remind me of tomato basil parmesan soup.
A few notes about the ingredients:
Tortellini: I used a 19 ounce bag of frozen cheese tortellini. You can also use fresh tortellini. I’d be a little nervous about pressure cooking fresh tortellini…I’m not sure if it would hold up. You may just want to use the saute setting to cook the fresh tortellini.
Chicken breasts: I used 2 frozen chicken breast halves (12 minutes). You can also use fresh chicken breasts (10 minutes). If you choose to use chicken tenders you’ll want to cut the cooking time down to 8 minutes. If you’re a fan of boneless skinless chicken thighs you can use those too (15 minutes).
Basil: I used the squeeze tube of basil because I like how it can last for a month in my fridge. You can also use chopped fresh basil.
Half and half: half and half is just a product that has half whole milk and half cream. You can also use heavy cream or even evaporated milk.
More recipes you’ll love…
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Margherita Pasta
Instant Pot Tortellini Soup with Chicken Sausage and Mushrooms
Instant Pot Bacon Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot Creamy Basil Chicken and Tortellini I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
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Instant Pot Creamy Basil Chicken and Tortellini
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Tender bites of chicken breast and cheesy tortellini are served in a creamy tomato basil sauce. This recipe is made in your electric pressure cooker in minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds frozen or fresh chicken breasts (this was 2 chicken breast halves for me)
- 1 or 2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes (if you want it more saucy then use 2 cans)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or 1/2 cup water and 1/2 tsp better than bouillon chicken base*)
- 1 (19 oz) bag frozen cheese tortellini
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or basil stir-in paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: halved cherry tomatoes for topping
Instructions
- Add chicken, tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot.
- Cover and secure the lid, make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes (fresh chicken) or 12 minutes (frozen chicken).
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then move the valve to venting to remove any remaining pressure.
- Use a fork to place the chicken on a cutting board. Set aside.
- Add the tortellini to the pot. Put the lid on the pot and move valve to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 0 (zero) minutes. While the pot cooks the tortellini, cut the chicken into bite size pieces.
- When the timer beeps perform a quick release by moving the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Add the cut up chicken into the pot. Stir in the half and half, parmesan cheese and basil. Salt and pepper to taste. Add in cherry tomatoes, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.
Tortellini: I used a 19 ounce bag of frozen cheese tortellini. You can also use fresh tortellini. I’d be a little nervous about pressure cooking fresh tortellini…I’m not sure if it would hold up. You may just want to use the saute setting to cook the fresh tortellini.
Chicken breasts: I used 2 frozen chicken breast halves (12 minutes). You can also use fresh chicken breasts (10 minutes). If you choose to use chicken tenders you’ll want to cut the cooking time down to 8 minutes. If you’re a fan of boneless skinless chicken thighs you can use those too (15 minutes).
Basil: I used the squeeze tube of basil because I like how it can last for a month in my fridge. You can also use chopped fresh basil.
Half and half: half and half is just a product that has half whole milk and half cream. If you want you can use heavy cream instead or even evaporated milk would work fine.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cup serving
- Calories: 401
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 647 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Protein: 27 g
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I’ve made this 3 times now and it came out perfect every time! My family loves it, and it’s just as tasty as lunch leftovers the next day (if there are any leftovers)!
★★★★★
So glad you loved it! Thanks for the 5 stars Kristi.
I made this and it was delicious! I don’t have any frozen tortellini this time. Can I used dry pasta? If so how long to cook it? Thank you!lisa
★★★★★
If you use 16 ounces of sturdy penne pasta then I would add in 4 cups of broth and pressure cook for 10 minutes
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made this. It’s so delicious!
★★★★★
So glad you love it so much Sophia! Thanks for the 5 star review!
Do you drain the tomatoes?
Nope!
Have been making this since 2019 and realized I had not reviewed it yet. It’s so full of flavor and very easy to make. I get about 6 servings out of it as long as it’s being served with a big salad and bread on the side.
★★★★★
Thanks for the review Sharon!
My go to and family’s favorite when we need something fast and yummy!!! Always a hit!
★★★★★
Thank you Carlene! I’m glad you enjoyed!
Everyone loved this. I cut up the chicken into bite sized pieces before pressure cooking instead of cutting up while hot and used refrigerator tortellini and prepared the rest exactly like recipe and it worked out awesome. Will make it again!!… and again!!!
★★★★★
Nice! I love to hear this Cinda!
When I read what this recipe was called, I knew it would be good! However, I’m not a fan of tomatoes so I added some spinach instead — still sooo good!! My whole family loved it and we’ll definitely be having it again. Thanks so much for sharing this!
★★★★★
You’re welcome! The spinach sounds great!
I always look at recipe ratings, but never actually rate them myself. But, this recipe was so good that I wanted to give it 5 stars so that others can make this delicious feast! My husband was skeptical and, after one bite, said “wow, this recipe is a keeper!”. Thanks!
★★★★★
I’m so glad you both enjoyed it! The basil is my favorite 😊
If you were going to use chicken strips or chicken thights how many would you use.
I’d use 8 strips or 4-6 thighs.
How long do you cook the tortellini?
It’s a zero minute time for the tortellini. See this article: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/zero-minute-pressure-cooking-time/
Can milk be used the sauce? Trying to be healthy and avoid the heavy cream. Thank you!!!
Yes it can. Not as delicious but it’ll work!
Great recipe! Added a can green chilies and didnt use tomatoes for my family’s preference. So I added some fresh lemon juice for some acidity at the end. Turned out perfect. I also used fresh torts so I did “low pressure” for 0 minutes and it was just perfectly done. Thank you 🙂
★★★★★
Sounds like a great version!
This is DELICIOUS! I am new to instant pot and this is only my first meal (alone) (so only third time using it) and my husband found this recipe. I was not too thrilled so all the ingrediants have sat on my shelf until they really should be used lol. Well let me tell ya- it is SO good! I did not have basil paste so I used basil pesto. Add the cherry tomatoes at the end- so good. Very good . Only wish I had drained the tomatoes first cos i used a big can. I don’t like trying new things but I am trying to cook more and eat out much less. Thank you for creating a great recipe I know my family will love !
Hi Kristina, I’m so glad you finally made the recipe and that you enjoyed it! Kudos to your husband that found the recipe. And getting into the habit of cooking can be hard but it is also cheaper (usually) and healthier (usually). So I hope you keep at it! Good job!
This recipe is so delicious!! Tonight is the 3rd time making it!!! I forgot to add the half and half last time but it still tastes delicious!!! I’ll remeber to add the half and half this time-hehehe!! Super recipe!! Thanks so much!!!
★★★★★
Go Cassie! Glad you liked it!
This was so good! I used a teeny bit cornstarch to thicken the sauce, and I added spinach instead of the basil because that is what I had. The flavor was still amazing, and this was so easy and good on a cold snowy day.
So glad you liked it!
can you make this recipe ahead of time and then warm it up later to have for supper.will it have a different texture or taste to it.
I would rewarm in the Instant Pot using this method: https://youtu.be/J1nO15i43-E
Just a note for individuals that are not aware of a bread making trick. If you need to ‘proof’ home made bread, you can put the beaten bread into the instant pot, put some oil on the bread (so it won’t stick to the pot) cover and put it on the yogurt function use (low) powerfor 1 hr. After that put it in the shape you want and cook it in your oven. Homemade bread would go great with this recipe😍
Nice! Love this idea!
Not a fan of tortellini but I do have store bought frozen linguini. If I quarter the pasta and place in IP cross-cross, would it cook? Or, do you think placing frozen pasta and use sautee would be the way to go? Thanks, Karen!
★★★★★
I would use the frozen pasta personally.
How would you cook barilla tortellini in the instant pot. This kind of tortellini you buy on the shelf with the other dry pasta. Thanks!
I would only pressure cook for 1-2 minutes and then a 5 minute natural pressure release.
How would you cook barilla tortellini in the instant pot. This kind of tortellini you buy on the shelf with the other dry pasta. Thanks!
Turned out great! I used a can of tomato & a can of rotel because my family likes the bit of kick it adds!
★★★★★
Good idea!
Made this for supper tonight. A keeper!! I used two cans of tomatoes and didn’t find it too soupy at all. I also used basil paste. Yummy!! Will definitely make again! Thanks for another great recipe!
So glad to hear this Linda!
We just finished dinner and I am SO impressed! Next time, I’ll definitely drain the tomatoes because I found it kinda soupy. But the flavor…WOW! We’ll definitely be making this again!
★★★★★
This recipe was amazing. I used 2 cans of tomatoes. Not much liquid in the tomatoes. Didn’t have half and half, so I used heavy cream. Will definitely make again. Thanks for this delicious recipe.
★★★★★
So glad you liked it!
This was easy to make & very good. It smelled delicious while cooking. It was quite soupy though – should I have drained the tomatoes? I used a qt of my home canned tomatoes – perhaps they contained more liquid than store bought?
★★★★★
That’s what I’m thinking
Can i use coconut milk instead of half and half?
Sure it might change the flavor profile a bit but I bet it would be fine.
Great recipe! Turned out a little soupy but that was fine, it was delicious, though I used fresh garden tomatoes! Yum!
★★★★★
There’s truly nothing better than fresh garden tomatoes!
Made this tonight & it was delicious! So easy & yummy! Thanks for a winner IP recipe!
★★★★★
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Instalot says that all reviles should have 2 cups liquid in them or its not good , this only has 1/ cup broth and 1/2 cup halfnhalf
Do you have an 8 quart? This recipe worked with my 6 quart fine. Usually chicken has a lot of liquid that comes off of it so that helps too.
It came oit awesome !! Thank you !
★★★★★
GREAT!
I am a complete newbie so this maybe a dumb question. You state “Add the tortellini to the pot. Put the lid on the pot and move valve to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 0 (zero) minutes. While the pot cooks the tortellini, cut the chicken into bite size pieces.
When the timer beeps perform a quick release by moving the valve to venting. Remove the lid.” If the time is set at zero minutes, how does it know when to beep? Thanks!
So the pot will take a while to come to pressure. Once it reaches pressure it usually switches to the time that you set. Since you only set it to 0 minutes it will just beep once it reaches pressure. It usually take a pot 10 minutes to come to pressure.
Karen, I’m with the newbie…and I’m not a newbie 🙂 This recipe is awesome – soooo good. But I did notice that since my pot was already hot, when I got to the zero time, it beeped quickly. I cooked the tortellini for 10 minutes (about the time it takes to bring it up to pressure) and it was perfect. A little side note, I was out of basil paste, so I used basil pesto paste – fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing this, it really is good.
★★★★★
Hello! If I wanted to double this recipe would I just double the time and every ingredient?
Double ingredients but not the time!
This was so good I sent the SC version to my son but I noticed that the IP recipe has chicken broth in the list of ingredients but the SC one does not! Is this an omission from the SC recipe?
★★★★★
The slow cooker doesn’t need liquid but the instant pot does so it can come to pressure.