Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
You are in for a treat because this Instant Pot Chicken Pasta recipe is so easy to make! This recipe is easy to make gluten free, just use gluten free penne pasta!
I used to be intimidated to make pasta in an Instant Pot, but this creamy Tuscan garlic chicken recipe was so easy to make. Gluten free pasta can be a challenge, but it worked beautifully in this recipe!
My Challenge Basket
Ingredients in my challenge basket included:
Arla cream cheese
Chicken
Baby Spinach
Roasted Red Peppers
I have been experimenting quite a bit with my Instant Pot lately. My biggest challenge has been to get gluten free pasta to stay firm and not turn to mush when cooking in a pressure cooker. Cooking pasta in an Instant Pot isn’t easy. You want the pasta to be al dente.
If you love using your Instant Pot, try this gluten free taco pasta recipe too!
top view of a plate of penne pasta with cream cheese, garlic clove and basil in the background
The hero of this recipe is the Arla cream cheese. It makes such a delicious creamy sauce for this pasta! Arla cream cheese doesn’t only come in the Original plain flavor I used for this recipe, but there are also fun flavors like Blueberry, Strawberry, Herbs & Spices, Mediterranean Garden, and Skyr.
a close up of a plate of chicken garlic pasta
Arla’s Original cream cheese is made with four simple ingredients that you can recognize: cream, skim milk, cream culture, and salt!
arla cream cheese next to the instant pot
Instructions:
I used two packages of Original Arla Cream Cheese in this recipe.
onions cooking in instant pot
The first step is to sauté the onions on the Sauté setting.
raw chicken and ingredients in an instant pot
Next add one package of Arla Original cream cheese, the chicken breasts, red peppers, basil, ½ of the chicken broth, and seasonings.
Cook on the Poultry setting according to your Instant Pot or pressure cooker directions.
spinach in instant pot
When the chicken is done, depressurize your pressure cooker according to the directions. When it is done, open your Instant Pot. Add the spinach and stir. The leaves will wilt, but not fall apart.
shredded chicken on a cutting board
Remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Add the chicken back into the pot. The chicken is so moist it will pretty much fall apart as you shred the chicken.
How to cook gluten free pasta in an Instant Pot
Now for the instant pot pasta trick. Now is when I add the uncooked gluten free pasta to the Instant Pot. I just dump it right in. Next, add the second package of Arla cream cheese, and the other half of the chicken broth.
Set the Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) to cook for just 5 minutes. That is all it takes. If you overcook the pasta in the pressure cooker, it will turn to mush.
When the pressure cooker is done, let the pressure release. Open the pressure cooker when it is totally depressurized and stir. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
INGREDIENTS
▢2 chicken breasts
▢⅓ cup roasted red peppers
▢32 ounces chicken broth
▢3 garlic cloves
▢14 ounces cream cheese plain flavor
▢2 cups water
▢¼ cup fresh basil
▢2 cups fresh spinach
▢2 small onion diced
▢1 tablespoon olive oil
▢1 teaspoon salt
▢½ teaspoon pepper
▢10 ounces gluten free pasta uncooked
▢¼ cup parmesan
INSTRUCTIONS
In the Instant Pot, add olive oil, garlic, and diced onion. Cook on Sauté for 5 minutes.
Add salt, pepper, basil, chicken, broth, water, 7 ounces of the cream cheese, and roasted red peppers. Close and lock the pressure cooker. Cook on poultry setting or 15 minutes.
Safely release pressure per your pressure cooker brand’s safety instructions.
Open the pressure cooker and remove the chicken. Shred the chicken and put back into the pot. Add the uncooked pasta to the pot. Cook on manual 5 minutes.
Safely depressurize the pressure cooker again. Add raw spinach leaves and last 7 ounces of cream cheese and mix well.
Garnish with parmesan and more fresh basil
NOTES
I have found corn/rice blend gluten free pastas hold up better in the Instant Pot for this recipe.
