Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta: Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Recipe

The Chicken That Started It All

I first made this for my grandson, Leo. He said it was “restaurant good.” I still laugh at that. He ate three bowls! This dish is a hug in a bowl. It is warm and creamy. It makes everyone feel happy and full.

That matters because food is about more than eating. It is about making memories. What is the first meal you remember loving? I would love to hear your story.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a one-pot wonder. You cook everything together. The Instant Pot does the hard work. The pasta soaks up all the tasty chicken broth. This makes every bite full of flavor.

Fun fact: The pressure in the pot cooks food faster. It also makes meat very tender. It is like a little kitchen magic trick. Do you have a favorite kitchen gadget you can’t live without?

The Secret is in the Sauce

That creamy sauce is so simple. It is just butter, cream, and cheese. You stir it in at the end. Doesn’t that smell amazing? The heat from the pasta melts it all together. It becomes silky and rich.

Always taste your food before you serve it. This matters. You are the cook! You might want a little more garlic or cheese. Make it just right for you and your family.

A Note on Noodles

I use penne noodles here. Their little tubes hold the sauce inside. It is a lovely surprise in every bite. You could use another short pasta, like rotini.

But do not use spaghetti. Long noodles can clump together in the pot. Short shapes work best for this cozy dish. What is your favorite pasta shape? Tell me in the comments.

Making It Your Own

This recipe is a perfect start. You can add a handful of spinach at the end. Or some sliced mushrooms with the onions. Cooking is about playing. It is about making a dish that sings to you.

That is the real lesson. Recipes are guides, not rules. Your kitchen, your rules. This matters because it builds confidence. Soon, you will be creating your own family favorites.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chicken breast	1 pound	Seasoned and sliced
Extra virgin olive oil	2 tablespoons
Onion	¼ cup	Finely chopped
Penne noodles	16 ounces
Chicken broth	3 ½ cups
Salted butter	3 Tablespoons
Heavy cream	1 ½ cups
Cream cheese	4 ounces
Parmesan cheese	¼ cup	Shredded or grated
Garlic powder	3 teaspoons
Dried Italian Seasoning	3-4 Tablespoons

My Cozy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Hello, my dear! Come sit. Let’s make a cozy dinner together. This creamy pasta is pure comfort. It reminds me of big family suppers. My grandkids ask for it every time.

We use the Instant Pot here. It feels like magic, doesn’t it? Everything cooks in one pot. That means fewer dishes for you to wash. I still laugh at that. My own grandma would be amazed.

Now, let’s get our hands busy. First, we’ll give our chicken some love. Season it well with garlic and herbs. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? Slice it into nice strips. This helps it cook fast and soak up all the flavor.

Step 1: Turn your pot to “Sauté.” Add the oil. Cook your chicken strips for a few minutes. Toss in the chopped onion halfway. You just want a little color on the chicken. (My hard-learned tip: don’t crowd the pot. Cook in two batches if needed!)

Step 2: Turn the pot off. Pour in half the broth. Use your spatula to scrape the bottom. Those little browned bits are flavor gold. I call them “kitchen fairy dust.” They make the sauce so rich.

Step 3: Add the dry pasta and the rest of the broth. Just pour it right on top. No stirring needed now. Lock the lid. Make sure the valve is set to “Sealing.” Quick quiz: what’s the “flavor gold” we scraped up? Share below!

Step 4: Press “Manual” and set it for 4 minutes. It will hiss and steam. That’s the good sound. When it beeps, carefully release the steam. Open the lid away from your face. The steam is very hot.

Step 5: Now for the creamy part! Stir in the butter, cream cheese, cream, and Parmesan. Watch it melt into a silky sauce. Give it a taste. Does it need a pinch more garlic? You are the boss of your own pasta.

Cook Time: About 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4-6 happy servings
Category: Dinner, Pasta

Let’s Mix It Up!

This recipe is like a favorite sweater. It’s cozy, but you can dress it up. Here are three fun twists for you.

Forest Fairy Twist: Swap chicken for sliced mushrooms. Use vegetable broth. It becomes a rich, earthy veggie feast.

Sunshine Twist: Add a handful of spinach and sun-dried tomatoes at the end. The colors make me so happy. It tastes like summer.

Zesty Kick Twist: Stir in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the chicken. It gives a lovely, warm tingle. Perfect for a chilly night.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving With a Smile

This pasta is a full meal. But I love adding a little something. A simple green salad with a lemony dressing is perfect. It cuts through the richness. Some garlic bread is never wrong either. My grandson always asks for extra.

For drinks, I have two ideas. A crisp apple cider is wonderful. It’s sweet and fizzy. For the grown-ups, a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio pairs nicely. It’s light and refreshing.

Serve it in a big, shallow bowl. Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top. That final touch makes it special. Which would you choose tonight? The cider or the wine? I think I know what the kids will pick!

Making It Last: Storing Your Creamy Chicken Pasta

Let’s talk about keeping this cozy meal. First, let it cool completely. Then, pop it in the fridge. It will stay good for about three days. For the freezer, use a sealed container. It keeps for two months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating is simple. Add a splash of broth or milk to a pot. Warm it on the stove, stirring often. This keeps the sauce creamy. I once reheated it without extra liquid. The pasta drank up all the sauce! A little liquid fixes everything.

This matters because good food shouldn’t be wasted. Batch cooking saves your future self. Double the recipe on a Sunday. You’ll have a ready-made dinner on a busy Wednesday. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Pasta Problems

Sometimes our cooking needs a little help. Here are three easy fixes. First, is your sauce too thin? Let the pot sit on “Keep Warm” for ten minutes. The pasta will soak up extra liquid. I remember when my sauce was like soup. Patience made it perfect.

Second, is the flavor bland? Always taste at the end. Add more garlic powder or Parmesan cheese. This matters because your taste buds are the best guide. Third, is the chicken dry? Be sure not to overcook it during sautéing. Just brown it lightly.

Getting these right builds your cooking confidence. A balanced dish just feels better to eat. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free penne. The cooking time is the same.

Q: Can I prepare parts ahead?
A: You can chop the onion and season the chicken early. Store them in the fridge.

Q: What if I don’t have heavy cream?
A: Whole milk will work. The sauce will be a bit lighter, but still tasty.

Q: Can I double this for a crowd?
A: Absolutely. Just do not fill your Instant Pot past the max fill line.

Q: Any optional add-ins?
A: Try fresh spinach at the end. It wilts right into the warm sauce. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this creamy, garlicky dish. It is pure comfort in a bowl. Fun fact: The first time I made this, my grandson ate three helpings! I would love to see your version. Sharing food stories connects us all.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! Use our handle @AnnasCozyKitchen. I always look at your beautiful photos. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.