Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is a toss-and-go one-pot creamy chicken pasta for the whole family. If you want a meal that practically makes itself, add THIS Instant Pot chicken fettuccine to your pressure cooker collection!
Calling all busy people and pressure cooker newbies! Get ready to crush dinner with my Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo. This dump-start chicken fettuccine practically makes itself into a creamy, delicious dinner the whole family will agree on...even the kids! It rivals my Taco Pasta and Ham and Peas Alfredo in convenience, comfort, and flavor.
Instant Pot chicken alfredo ingredients
Visit recipe card below 👇🏼 for printable amounts and instructions
- fettuccine - or linguini (or any pasta)
- water - or chicken broth or vegetable broth
- heavy cream
- butter
- fresh garlic - garlic powder ok too
- boneless skinless chicken breast - or chicken thighs
- salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese
How to make Instant Pot chicken alfredo (chicken fettuccine)
Visit recipe card below 👇🏼 for printable amounts and instructions
- Add ingredients to the Instant Pot - fettuccine, water, cream, chicken breast, salt, and pepper
- Pressure cook and depressurize - pressure cook 5 minutes followed by a 10 minute natural pressure release
- Remove chicken - open the lid, transfer chicken out of the pot, check internal temperature, cover, and rest 5 minutes, then shred it
- Stir and rest - stir pasta and liquid until well-combined, close lid and let pasta rest for 5-10 minutes to absorb excess liquid
- To serve - open lid, stir in Parmesan cheese, and add shredded chicken
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What to serve with chicken alfredo
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Lemony Kale Salad
- Garlicky Oven Roasted Mushrooms
- Homemade French Bread
- Crostini Bread
Chicken Alfredo Instant Pot tips & FAQ
How to prevent pasta clumping
Break and scatter long noodles in the Instant Pot. Add liquids and press the noodles under the liquid surface. After pressure cooking, stir noodles and liquid thoroughly, then allow to rest so pasta can absorb excess liquid.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes! But don't add it until after the pressure cook cycle is complete because it will overcook and become dry.
Can I use frozen chicken breast for Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo?
You can use frozen chicken tenders or Costco's frozen diced uncooked chicken for this recipe. But whole frozen chicken breast MUST be fully thawed for this recipe. This is because the pasta will overcook while the pot compensates to cook the frozen chicken. However, frozen chicken tenders do not require thawing because they're thin enough to cook in the given time.
Chicken breast vs chicken thighs
Your choice! You can use breast or thighs interchangeably, but they MUST be boneless to keep with said pressure cook time. If you use bone-in chicken, you'll risk overcooking the past because you need longer cook time.
Why cook the chicken breast whole?
I cook the breast whole (as opposed to cutting into pieces) for convenience and moisture. Shredding chicken breast after cooking = less handling of raw chicken which reduces cross-contamination. It also keeps juices in tact until you shred it.
I haven't had a problem with temperature, I always recommend testing the internal chicken temperature. As you can see in this photo, this chicken breast hit 205°F after the 5 minute pressure cook cycle, which is well over the recommended 165°F.
It won't look like creamy alfredo right when you open the lid
When you first open the lid after pressure cooking the pasta, it's not creamy ... not yet anyway. Trust me, it will be. Just stay the course of the recipe instructions and don't stray. I promise, it will be creamy. Just like this...
Recommended tools
- 6 quart Instant Pot
- oven mitt (optional to use to open pressure valve)
- tongs
- meat thermometer
More Instant Pot pasta dinner recipes
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
- Lasagna Soup for Instant Pot or Stove
- Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
- Orzo Italian Sausage Soup
- Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta in Lemon Cream Sauce
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Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 16 oz Uncooked Fettuccine Noodles or any pasta
- 4 cups Water or broth
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter cubed
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast whole (do not cut)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1/4 cup Parsley chopped
Recipe Instructions
- Break FETTUCCINE in half and scatter in the Instant Pot.
- Pour WATER and HEAVY CREAM over the pasta. Push the pasta under the liquid to submerge it.
- Scatter BUTTER pieces and GARLIC over the pasta noodles.
- Lay whole CHICKEN BREAST on the pasta and add SALT and PEPPER. (we'll shred the chicken after it cooks) *see recipe footnote
- Secure the lid; turn pressure valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on HIGH for 5 minutes.
- When cook cycle completes, let the pot sit undisturbed for a 10-minute (NPR) natural pressure release. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! *see recipe footnote
- Safely turn pressure valve to "venting" position to release any remaining steam.
- Open the lid and use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken breast is 165°F minimum. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and rest 5 minutes.
- Cover the pasta and rest 5 minutes.
- Shred or slice the chicken to prepare for serving.
- Stir PARMESAN CHEESE into the pasta.
- Stir in CHICKEN.
- Serve warm garnished with PARSLEY.
Storage and reheat instructions
- To store, cool the pasta completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to five days.To reheat, add a splash of liquid to revive the creaminess. If you add too much, stir in more Parmesan to get the thickness you want.
RECIPE NOTES
You can use frozen chicken tenders in place of fresh chicken breast. Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes! But don't add it until after the pressure cook cycle is complete because it will overcook and become dry. INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTION IDEAS:
- Use chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts for even juicier results.
- Use half and half or milk in place of heavy cream (add it after the pressure cook cycle is done, otherwise it can curdle)
- Substitute linguini noodles (or any pasta) for fettuccine.
- You can use cooked chicken (such as shredded chicken, canned chicken, or rotisserie chicken. Don't add it until after the pressure cook cycle because it will become dry from overcooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
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I made this for dinner tonight. Excellent. My husband loved it. I just added a little extra S&P at the end and it was a perfect weeknight meal with leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Thank you and so appreciate.. from Phoenix
Awesome!!! Sounds like you love it like we do 🙂 I truly appreciate this feedback...I'm so glad you enjoyed!
Hi!
If I wanted to add broccoli to it, when would be the best time to do so?
Hi Alyssa, I would cook it separately and add it at the end. It will become mushy if cooked with the pasta. Let me know if you have more questions 🙂
second time making this. My family loves it!
Awesome, Renee! It's popular in our house too 🙂 I always look forward to Chicken Alfredo night. Thanks for taking the time to let me know...really appreciate it 💚
I made this, but I doubled the noodles and water. I also added sour cream, spices, mushrooms, onions and broccoli. Sooo good! I was nervous that the pasta would stick together or be too hard, but it was perfect!
Thank you!!
Awesome, Mkenzie! So glad you gave it a go and experimented. Love those add-ins...we do something similar 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to review...much appreciated! 🤩
I'm taking one star off because it needed a lot more seasoning (I used Tony's, red pepper and more black pepper) but the ease, consistency and creaminess make adding the extra spices so worth it! After I doctored it up to my taste, it was easily the best chicken alfredo I've ever made!
Hi Cindy, this classic chicken alfredo isn't intended to be spicy. I'm a super fan of creole, but my Cajun Chicken Alfredo just hasn't hit the blog yet. Anywho, glad you found your happy place with the seasonings 🙂
Hi, if I doubled the noodles, how would that affect the other ingredients and cooking time?
Hi Caitlin, if you're doubling the noodles, double everything. You don't need to adjust the pressure cook time either. The Instant pot will take care of it for you.
Delicious!! Perfect for a night where I don't feel like cooking. The kids LOVED it. Next time I will add some bacon and serve with veggies.
Yay, Jessica! Always a WIN when the kids give it the thumbs up too! BIG thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. SO appreciated 💚 Happy 🇺🇸🇺🇸 to you and yours!
This chicken alfredo beats the socks off jarred alfredo and just as easy! I'm no cook, but this dish makes me look like one. Highly recommend following this recipe TO A TEE bc Instant Pot Alfredo can be tricky. Pro tip: add bacon or peas or whatever "after" everything has cooked 👌🏽
Awesome! I love it that a one-pot, dump-and-start alfredo pasta can make a rockstar dinner maker out of a non-cook. Win win!!! Thank you 🙂
Can I made this without the chicken?
Hi Sara, you sure can! You'll need to adjust the time to 2 minutes pressure cook (instead of 5 minutes) and still do the 10 minute natural pressure release. Enjoy!
Can I use silk almond (milk) ?
You're welcome to, but it will likely lack the richness. Could always add parmesan cheese.
Thanks, Janet...sounds like you'll have it dialed in for next time. Enjoy! 🙂
I miss read the noodle Measurements so now I have double ..... glad I did that was amazing......... I realized after I put the liquid in so just doubled the liquid again.
My husband is not normally a pasta kind of guy but is excited for lunch tomorrow he ask for the leftovers 👍winner in our house.
Best review evah! Seriously...I love the happy accident and BIG win with the hubs ❤️ Thank you for letting me know 🙏🏼
Very delicious alfredo pasta. So easy to just dump ingredients in and start. It cooks fast and keeps us from going hangry. Not really sure why I hear people say to NOT add dairy during pressure cook - we do it with this alfredo and it works every time!
Hi! If I was going to just use a jarred alfredo sauce (mixing in at the end) would I up the water instead?
Hi Nicole, that should work just fine, but you may need to drain some water out before adding the sauce at the end. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
This was simple to execute and was yum yum and as you stated at a fraction of the cost. Thanks for sharing!
You're so very welcome, Dale 🙂 Really glad you enjoyed and thanks for letting me know...cheers!
WOW, alfredo pasta in the instant pot - that is such a terrific idea. My pasta and cheese loving kids will love this. Thanks for sharing this easy IP dish.
Haha thanks, Pavani! Instant Pot alfredo is definitely revolutionary. I mean, hands-free alfredo, right? Enjoy!!!
I can make alfredo in an IP? GENIUS! Chicken Alfredo is one of my favorite things on the planet and this recipe makes it so effortless!
Haha thanks, Marie-Charlotte! I'm right there with you on IP Chicken Alfredo LOL. Cheers to that!
Totally drooling over your alfredo pasta - I'm getting my Instant Pot out ASAP!
Thanks, Deanne 😉 You GO girl! Enjoy!
This is one of my favorite comforting pasta dishes and such a great idea to do it in the instant pot.
Thanks, Danni...right there with you 🙂
This looks so good! I love finding new instant pot recipes to try out! Cannot wait!
Thanks, Haley! So glad you can enjoy this one...Cheers!
Looks great! Just one question - should we slice or cut up the raw chicken before placing it in the instant pot? What did you do? Thanks!
Excellent question, Janice. I just added notes to the recipe about this very thing. In short, you can do either. I prefer to leave it whole because it means less handling of raw chicken, fewer dishes, and juicier results. Thanks for asking! 🙂
Very cool I haven't tried this type of recipe in my IP so I'm excited to see it comes out.
Awesome, Heidy! So glad you can enjoy this recipe 🙂
I love chicken alfredo, and being able to make this in an instant pot is even better!
Thanks, Emily! I love chicken alfredo too! This recipe is so quick and easy too 🙂
Absolutely loved how fast and delicious this meal is!
Thanks, Pamela 🙂 Lovvvve hearing this!
What a gorgeous recipe! This is going to be a regular in our Instant Pot menu rotation, thank you!
Awww thanks so much, Elizabeth! I'm glad to hear it!!! 🙂
So quick and easy! This meal is perfect for weeknights!
Indeed, Toni! We can't believe how quick and easy it really is! Thanks 🙂