If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy, crave-worthy dinner that comes together in minutes, you have to give Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta a try! Creamy, dreamy, and loaded with savory flavor, this recipe combines tender chicken, velvety parmesan sauce, and glimmers of sun-dried tomatoes for a meal that’s guaranteed to wow—and it’s all made effortlessly in your Instant Pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-Quality Creaminess: The luscious parmesan, cream, and sun-dried tomato sauce tastes like something you’d order on a special night out—only it’s made in one pot, right at home.
- One-Pot Wonder: Your trusty Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting—no separate boiling or messy pots, just easy cleanup and hands-off magic.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This dish makes fantastic leftovers, rewarming beautifully for stress-free lunches or quick weeknight dinners.
- Customizable for Everyone: From swapping pastas to sneaking in extra veggies, Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta welcomes your favorite tweaks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta plays a vital role—bringing savory depth, silky texture, and beautiful color to the dish. They’re all simple and widely available, but together, the flavors sing in harmony.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps that golden chicken sear to perfection.
- Boneless skinless chicken: Tender pieces soak up the sauce and pressure cook quickly for juicy results.
- Garlic: Two cloves add aromatic depth and warm flavor—don’t skip it!
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth: It infuses the pasta with rich flavor without overpowering saltiness; use regular or no-salt broth as preferred.
- Uncooked penne pasta: Holds the creamy sauce beautifully; substitute a similar shape if needed.
- Dried Italian seasoning: The herbal backbone of the dish, giving that signature Italian flair.
- Paprika & pepper: Subtle warmth and color – simple spices that elevate every bite.
- Parmesan cheese (grated): Instantly adds that nutty, salty creaminess that makes this recipe so comforting.
- Heavy cream: For ultimate richness and velvety texture in the sauce; half-and-half or whole milk produce a lighter result.
- Sun-dried tomatoes (drained & chopped): These ruby gems deliver pops of tangy-sweet depth that set this pasta apart!
- Fresh spinach: Brightens up the plate with color and a fresh, earthy finish.
- Fresh basil: The perfect garnish, offering a fragrant, peppery punch and pop of green.
Variations
One of the best things about making Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is how easily you can customize it. Feel free to swap, add, or omit ingredients to suit your mood, your pantry, or the people you love to cook for!
- Swap the protein: Try thinly-sliced boneless thighs, shrimp, or even rotisserie chicken stirred in at the end.
- Make it vegetarian: Omit the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas for a hearty twist.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for gentle heat throughout the sauce.
- Change the greens: Toss in kale, baby arugula, or even peas instead of spinach for different color and flavor.
- Cheese, please: Play with the cheese—try Asiago, Pecorino, or even a handful of mozzarella for a meltier finish!
How to Make Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken
Select the sauté function on your Instant Pot and wait until it displays “hot”—this ensures your chicken brown beautifully, not just steams. Pour in the olive oil, then add your bite-sized chicken pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the surface is golden. This quick sear builds delicious flavor right from the start!
Step 2: Add the Garlic and Deglaze
Stir in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about 30 seconds. When you can smell that incredible garlic aroma, pour in ½ cup of your chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom—this is where SO much flavor hides, and it keeps you from getting the dreaded Burn warning.
Step 3: Layer the Pasta and Seasoning
Add the rest of your chicken broth, then scatter the penne pasta evenly over the top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper—but don’t stir. Letting the pasta sit on top ensures it cooks evenly without sticking or getting mushy at the bottom.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Lock the lid and set your valve to sealing. Select Manual or Pressure Cook on high, set for 4 minutes, and let the Instant Pot work its magic! This short cooking time is just right for perfectly al dente pasta and juicy chicken. Once done, carefully quick-release the pressure for the best texture.
Step 5: Add the Creamy Goodness
Once all the pressure is released, open the lid and stir well. Add in that glorious grated parmesan; watch as it melts into the sauce. Pour in the heavy cream for silky richness, give it a good mix, and then stir in the spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. The spinach will wilt almost instantly from the residual heat, adding freshness and color.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Spoon your Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta into bowls and sprinkle with fresh basil. The basil’s fragrance is the finishing touch, and you’ll be amazed at how special—and absolutely irresistible—this meal looks and tastes!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Brown for Flavor: Always wait for the “hot” signal on your Instant Pot before searing chicken—a golden crust means added flavor in your finished pasta!
- Deglaze Diligently: Scraping up those browned bits after sautéing prevents any burn notices and unlocks huge savory depth for the sauce.
- Pasta Placement: Resist the urge to stir in the pasta with the chicken—layer it on top so it cooks evenly in the steam and sauce below.
- Finish with Freshness: Stir in the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes at the end, not before—this keeps the spinach bright and the tomatoes punchy, not soggy!
How to Serve Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and torn basil is my favorite finishing touch for Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta. The basil’s herbal brightness and cheese’s salty tang are irresistible. If you’re feeling fancy, a crack of black pepper or a drizzle of quality olive oil takes it to the next level.
Side Dishes
This hearty pasta loves a crisp green salad—think arugula with lemon vinaigrette—or simple sautéed green beans. For a real treat, add warm garlic bread or focaccia for soaking up every last drop of that creamy sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow at a dinner party, serve Individual portions in shallow pasta bowls, topped with a little basil bouquet and extra sun-dried tomatoes. Or, present on a family-style platter, swirling the pasta into “nests” with chicken and sauce cascading over the top for a truly mouthwatering centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your leftover Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. It’ll keep happily in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it a stellar meal prep or next-day lunch option.
Freezing
This pasta freezes best before you add the fresh spinach and basil (greens turn mushy with thawing). Place cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and stir in fresh greens just before serving for best results.
Reheating
For the creamiest leftovers, reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir well as it heats, and top with a little extra parmesan and basil to revive that just-cooked flavor and freshness.
FAQs
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Can I use a different variety of pasta in Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Absolutely! While penne holds up especially well and clings to the sauce, you can use rotini, rigatoni, or even shells. Just use a similar-sized, short pasta so it cooks evenly—avoid long noodles for this method, as they may clump.
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What’s the best way to keep the sauce creamy and not too thick?
If you find your sauce thicker than you’d like, simply stir in a splash of warm milk or extra chicken broth after pressure cooking. Adding the cream and parmesan off the heat also helps achieve a silky finish without risk of curdling.
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Can I make Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta dairy-free?
Yes! Use your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk in place of the cream, and swap the parmesan for a dairy-free alternative or nutritional yeast for a boost of umami. The sauce will be a bit lighter but still utterly delicious.
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Can I double the recipe in a 6-quart Instant Pot?
As long as your ingredients don’t go above the fill line, you can double Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta with no problem! Increase pressure release time by a couple of minutes to allow for the extra volume, and stir thoroughly before serving.
Final Thoughts
You’ll be amazed how quickly Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta turns everyday ingredients into something totally swoon-worthy. Gather your family or friends, watch the smiles appear, and get ready for lots of recipe requests. Enjoy every creamy, savory bite—you deserve it!
Print
Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful one-pot wonder that will win over your family’s hearts with its delicious combination of chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
Ingredients
Chicken Pasta:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 16 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach
Instructions
- Press sauté. When the Instant Pot reads “hot”, add the olive oil.
- Stir in the chicken, and cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring the entire time.
- Pour in ½ cup chicken broth, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the remaining chicken broth and then the pasta.
- Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper over the top. Do not stir.
- Close and lock the lid. Press manual high pressure, and adjust the cooking time to 4 minutes. Be sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing.
- When the cooking time has finished, carefully turn the pressure release valve to venting to release the pressure.
- Unlock the lid, and give everything a good stir.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add the cream and stir in.
- Stir in the spinach and chopped sundried tomatoes until combined.
- Serve sprinkled with a bit of basil.
Notes
- Chicken broth: I like to use reduced-sodium chicken broth to better control the level of salt. You can use regular broth or no salt broth if you prefer.
- Pasta: Feel free to use a similar shape of pasta.
- Cream: Using half-and-half or whole milk will give you a thinner sauce.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
