Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, short pasta, and vibrant basil pesto, all ready in under 30 minutes. Each bite offers a burst of Italian flavors and creamy goodness, making it the perfect choice for busy weeknights or to impress guests at dinner. With its customizable nature, you can easily adapt the dish to suit your taste preferences while enjoying a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients to streamline cooking.
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat olive oil. Add chicken breasts and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom for added flavor.
- Add uncooked pasta and stir in half of the pesto.
- Close the lid and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Carefully release pressure, then stir in remaining pesto and Parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Serve hot, drizzled with olive oil if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (about 380g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: - For a variation, swap chicken for shrimp or add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes. - Enhance flavors by adding sun-dried tomatoes or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.