Instant Pot Skinny Chicken Alfredo—a lighter version of creamy, dreamy chicken alfredo that you can make all in one pot, your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Skinny Chicken Alfredo
Just because this recipe is “skinny” doesn’t mean that flavor is sacrificed. Even with just one tablespoon of butter and 1 cup of milk (instead of heavy cream) you get lots of creamy delicious sauce covering the noodles.
Greg loved this recipe so much he said that it should get 10 stars. I made this on Reagan’s birthday and she loved it too. Alfredo is her favorite food and she gave it 2 thumbs up.
How to keep pasta from clumping in the Instant Pot
Some people have complained when they make noodles like spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine in the Instant Pot they clump up when cooked. There is a really good thread in the 365 Days of Instant Pot Recipes FB group about this. I like to break my pasta in half or thirds and fan it out or scatter it. You don’t want a big pile of pasta all facing the same direction. Then I pour my broth or water around the sides of the pot and I don’t stir. Sometimes it sticks a little but after it’s done I just stir it and it breaks up.
If you still have problems with clumping then you can use a different type of pasta. My favorite type of pasta to use in the Instant Pot is the curly cavatappi noodles. They don’t clump at all. I buy them in the bulk section at Winco for 99 cents a pound. They are also available at Smith’s (Kroger), the Private Selection brand.
More Skinny Recipes You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Skinny Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Skinny Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Instant Pot Creamy Dill Chicken
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese
What Equipment Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot Skinny Chicken Alfredo 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.
Instant Pot Skinny Chicken Alfredo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
A lighter version of creamy, dreamy chicken alfredo that you can make all in one pot, your Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 ounces uncooked linguine, fettuccine or spaghetti noodles (whole wheat is okay)
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the butter. Swirl it around to melt it. Add in the cut up chicken, salt, pepper, onion powder, basil and parsley. Lightly saute the chicken for about 2 minutes. Then add in the garlic and saute for 20 seconds. Turn off the saute setting.
- Break up the pasta noodles into thirds and fan them out so that they aren’t in one big clump. Pour the broth around the sides of the pot.
- Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes for spaghetti or linguine or 5 minutes for fettuccine. When the time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Turn the pot to saute. Stir the milk and cornstarch together until smooth and then stir it into the pot. Stir in the parmesan cheese. The sauce will thicken up in just a few minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot 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.
First time we made it, it was dry, but it was because I
forgot the 5 minute natural release. The next time, we did the 5 min NR, and it was perfect! We used chicken breast the first, and boneless skinless thighs last, both were equally delicious. Loved the spice blend and that it uses milk in place of cream. This is an absolute keeper!!
★★★★★
Great! Glad it was a winner!
Can I make this in my crock pot? I don’t have an instant pot. I’d saute my chicken on the stove in a skillet & boil my pasta on the stove in a saucepan?
I would just cook it all on the stove. The crockpot can be sketchy with pasta dishes in my experience.
I agree with Karen. if you are going to cook two of the main ingredients on the stove top, just do it all on the stove top. pretty quick and simple. After you brown your chicken, take it out and use the same pan to saute the garlic and spices and make the sauce just like you would in the last step of the instant pot recipe, scraping up all the yummy chicken bits and flavor from the bottom of the pan and then add the chicken back. simmer it all together and serve over the pasta. To make it easier to eat, especially with kids, I would cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, before or after cooking, and I would also add some steamed broccoli when I added the chicken back in for extra yumminess and color. 😋
I give up on cooking pasta in the instant pot! Maybe it is an altitude issue. But the rest of it was great, so next time I will cook the pasta on the stove al-dente and then add it in for a few minutes to cook the rest of the way and absorb some of the liquid.
★★★★
Oh sad! Sorry it didn’t work well for you.
If you are using gluten free or quinoa pasta for these recipes how much time would you cook it for? ( even if you haven’t used it) to prevent it from getting all mushy? It’s hard to tell
https://detoxinista.com/instant-pot-pasta/
This post says 0 minutes with an 8 minute npr…
Yes but not for gluten free or quinoa pasta only regular?
It doesn’t say 0 mins anywhere for gluten free pasta or quinoa pasta? Are any of your recipes altered for that so people don’t end up with mushy pasta?? It might be a good idea to add those in because many people use those types of pastas.
According to this article: https://instantpoteats.com/gluten-free-pasta-instant-pot-recipe/
“Even though the texture is quite similar, gluten-free pasta tends to be starchier and expands more while cooking, therefore it needs a little extra cooking liquid. As a rule of thumb, add an extra 1/4-1/2 cup or so. Adding salt and fat is the same for regular and gluten-free pasta!
It also means that when overcooked, gluten-free pasta really doesn’t hold its texture or firmness well and is much softer and mushier than regular pasta. Therefore, the main rule with gluten-free pasta is DON’T OVERCOOK IT!
With gluten-free pasta, you’re dealing with a bit of extra foam due to higher starch amount, which will release into the cooking water. This is why the best way to make gluten-free pasta in Instant Pot is by using lower cooking time at HIGH pressure and longer natural release so that the foam can settle.
GLUTEN-FREE PASTA COOKING TIMES IN INSTANT POT
Spaghetti: 0 Minutes at HIGH + 8 Minutes Natural Release
Smaller Macaroni: 0 Minutes at HIGH + 10 Minutes Natural Release
Penne: 1 Minute at HIGH + 10 Minutes Natural Release
Fusilli: 2 Minutes at HIGH + 10 Minutes Natural Release
If you like your pasta a little softer than al dente, add a couple of extra minutes to the natural release time. You can more or less guess the time for other types of pasta. Smaller shapes will only need 1 minute at HIGH +10 minute release, while something like large shells might need 2 minutes + 12 minutes natural release.
Once the natural release time has elapsed, use the quick release method to let off the rest of the pressure.”
Hope this helps!!!
It says in that post not to cook gluten free pasta in sauces because they come out too gluey & mush . Ahh no now I’m back to where I started stumped 🤦🏻♀️🙆🏻♀️😩 lol
Thanks for that article Karen that’s what I’ve been looking for! Is that a reliable source you found & that you know of or you randomly found it? I hope so 🤞🏻🙏🏻 & that I can get it to work now. Esp with mixed sauces & meats included 🤔
I haven’t tried it out myself but it seems reliable and without trying it out myself that is what i would guess
This was very good. The seasonings were just right. I used linguine and they were a bit too firm, but just let it cook on saute for a few minutes and it solved the problem.
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing Sharon!
I added some spinach with fresh nutmeg while stirring in the milk mixture. Good flavor.
★★★★★
I work in food so i’m very picky about what i make at home to eat . With that being said, The recipe was good followed it but added more garlic used italian season, i thought the pasta was over cooked “I like it more al dente” so next time I make it I will cut the cooking time back or the NP time back for a more firmer pasta and may change the cheese to a more sharper cheese , I may also marinate the chicken overnight to give it a lot more flavor and may also swap out the chicken stock for veggie stock .
★★★★
I like those ideas!
Made it tonight and it worked perfectly. Noodles were nicely cooked and the chicken was really tender and flavorful. I will be making it again!!!
Glad you liked it Gretchen!
Hi Karen, thanks for this wonderful looking recipe! I’m going to try it soon. Question: when you get consistent feedback such as the pasta wasn’t cooked enough, or it was too thick, do you ever update the recipe from its original form? I’ll assume no. Based on these comments, I’m thinking I’ll plan to add like an extra 1/8th cup of milk (or maybe white wine to add to the chicken stock!) and maybe add 1-2 mins time under pressure. I’ll let you know how it goes!
The problem is all these recipes call for regular pasta not gluten free or quinoa pasta so the texture is totally different so it’s hard to tell without someone saying. Mine always comes out mushy so it’s super frustrating but I want it to absorb the flavors & sauce so I don’t know how I would split it up if I did it on the stove seems pointless
Brooke,
This recipe can be made gluten free and is so yummy with the above advice to cook for a shorter amount of time. Ex. I have gluten free penne and prefer my pasta al dente, so I just pressure for 0 minutes.
What a nother great recipe I made it with Shrimp it was awesome husband liked it
★★★★★
shrimp sounds amazing!
I’d love to try shrimp, but I think I’d rather cook it separately, not in the instant pot. Grilled would be great. Otherwise I’d think pressure cooking shrimp would make them rubbery?
Grilled would be amazing!
Absolutely yummy! Chicken is moist, the sauce is great but the noddles aren’t quite cooked. I had to finish it on saute before adding the milk and cheese, making it hard to watch my chicken that i did not want to cook more. Overall I will be cooking this again!
★★★★
Okay good thanks for sharing your experience.
I followed the directions for making the recipes with spaghetti. I did double it.
We loved the flavors, but it was dry. We added more water and steamed for another 2 minutes. It was still s bit dry, but very flavorful. Lots of compliments!
To Sarah Whoever You Are responding to Joyce. You’re a bit over the top in your response, aren’t you? The ads may not bother you but if they bother Joyce, whatever works you scold her???
Thank you Karen for your recipes I will give it a try. I also will try your beef recipes they look yummy
Hope you like them Jocelyne!
I followed directions and the noodles were not cooked. I put it on pressure cooker for 6 more minutes. It was cooked but very gummy. Was there too much corn starch mixed with the milk? I liked the spices but would not fix it again in the instant pot.
★
What kind of pasta did you use?
Made this three nights ago, it was excellent. I used fettuccine cooked for specified 5 minutes but was not done. My wife said put on saute and add chicken broth. after a few minutes it cooked. Was really good the next day.
Thank You for your great recipes.
Glad it worked out for you!
Everything is great. That’s My kind of chicken recipes. Thanks for sharing.
The picture show the ‘trivet’ in the pot, but did I miss that in the directions. One of my favorite dishes so want to try it soon.
Also wanted to print the recipe, but when I chose that option it came up with 3 pages & page 2-3 showed solid color ‘recipe cards’ with no print directions on them.
Thanks for any help you can give on these questions.
Can’t wait to try this.
I’m not sure what is going on with the print option. I will look into it. The picture is just to show how to fan out the noodles. Not from this actual recipe.
Karen,
Do ads need to be shown inside your recipe directions rectangle?
Very distracting. Joyce
I can’t say any distraction! I don’t know what are you complaining about.!!!