This 30 minute Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo recipe is a staple of our monthly meal rotation. Creamy, cheesy, and garlicky, it’s a pasta that makes everyone happy!
Love alfredo? This easy one pan Spinach Alfredo Pasta is a family favorite. Simply dump it all in a 13×9, bake, and enjoy! Or try our alfredo stuffed shells for an easy freezer recipe.
Instant Pot Alfredo Recipe
Making alfredo is already a simple dinner. For instance, this Sausage Alfredo is ready in under 30 minutes.
So why choose the instant pot?
Well, for one, less mess. The pasta, chicken and sauce all cook in ONE pot. Makes clean up so easy.
It’s also a wonderful method to use if you want a level of “set it and forget it” to your cooking. You can leave the pasta and chicken while it cooks and trust that it’s cooked to perfection when the timer goes off.
- 7 simple ingredients.
- One pot recipe.
- Extra creamy sauce.
- Perfect Parmesan flavor.
- An easy kid-friendly dinner any night of the week!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breast. Boneless skinless chicken thighs make a great substitute!
- Heavy cream. Gives chicken alfredo the cream quality alfredo sauce is famous for.
- Chicken broth. Combines with the heavy cream to form a delicious savory sauce.
- Pressed garlic. For that irresistible aromatic flavor.
- Fettuccini noodles. Other long noodles can be used. Break them in half so they all fit into your Instant Pot.
- Parmesan cheese. Because what’s chicken alfredo without it? Grate it fresh before adding to the cooked pasta and sauce.
Recipe FAQs
In this recipe, the chicken breast should be sliced after cooking. This ensures it is done at the same time as the pasta and Alfredo sauce.
Chicken Alfredo is a versatile meal that tastes great with most vegetables.
Serve it with steamed broccoli and a mixed green salad for a full meal. Roasted vegetables would be delicious with this pasta dish too.
Store leftover Chicken Alfredo in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat and enjoy within 3-5 days.
For a little spice, sprinkle a few crushed red pepper flakes on your alfredo pasta before serving. If you love a super garlicky pasta, feel free to add a clover or two of additional pressed garlic, or a teaspoon of garlic powder.
Easy Instant Pot Alfredo Tips
- This recipe can easily be doubled without changing the cook time.
- You can also choose to skip the chicken altogether and make this vegetarian by using vegetable broth.
- Leftovers are great. Reheat with a splash of milk in the microwave.
- Some people LOVE their fettuccine alfredo thick and creamy. You can add in some cubes of cream cheese if this is you. My husband would freak if I did this, as he is a purist, haha!
- If you’d like your noodles a little more al dente, you can cut back the cook time by 2 minutes. But, I would first saute the chicken for two minutes then, to make sure it’s fully cooked. You can do this by setting your Instant Pot to saute, sear the chicken for two minutes, remove, then follow the directions as written, except cut your cooking time by 2 minutes.
- Love to add garlic to everything? This recipe calls for about 1 tsp of fresh minced, but feel free to add to your liking.
Want more Instant Pot Recipes?
Well, good news. I’ve got some great recipes up my sleeve for the New Year, so stay tuned.
- In the meantime, how about starting with the basics. Like this recipe for Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs. The simple 5-5-5 method for making perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs. You’ll be amazed at how easily they peel, and how creamy and delicious they taste!
- No more all day cooking to make a batch of fresh applesauce. This homemade Instant Pot applesauce recipe is ready for dinner tonight!
- Looking for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner idea? This Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe is the perfect comfort food, and ready in under 30 minutes! Tastes just like mom’s homemade stuffed peppers, only easier and quicker!
- Tender roasted, Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches cooked in the Instant Pot. Piled on a crusty french roll with extra cheese, this flavorful dinner is then dipped in au jus!
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon pressed garlic
- ½ pound fettuccini noodles broken in half
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, set your Pressure Cooker on your counter and plug it in. Find a safe spot that when you release the pressure, you have clearance above.
- Next, layer your ingredients in the order specified. This makes a difference. Start by adding your chicken broth, then heavy whipping cream, and fresh pressed garlic.
- Do not stir. Next, break your fettuccine noodles in half. This helps them fit in the pressure cooker. Place them in your milk and broth mixture gently, moving around slightly until they are covered completely.
- Top with 1 pound fresh chicken breast (or frozen actually works with this recipe too). Lay over the top (they don't need to be covered with liquid.
- Secure your lid and make sure your vent is turned to pressure (each version is different so check your manual to make sure you understand how to prep your Instant Pot for cooking).
- Set your Instant Pot for "Manual" for 8 minutes. Allow it to come to pressure, then the timer will count down the 8 minutes.
- Once the 8 minutes are done, allow it to "NATURALLY" release (meaning don't touch it) for an additional 8 minutes. Once that time is up, do a QUICK RELEASE.
- Open carefully (away from your face so the steam doesn't burn you)! Remove the chicken (to shred it, or slice it). Then add the parmesan cheese. I use freshly shredded parmesan (not the green can stuff). Stir your noodles with the cheese, then add back your chicken. Salt and pepper, generously, to taste.
- Allow it to sit for about 1 or 2 minutes to thicken if needed.
Notes
- For best results, pound your chicken breasts to even thickness.
- If using frozen chicken, cook time will remain same, but pot may take longer to come to pressure.
Video
Nutrition
Easy, inexpensive and completely delicious Chicken Alfredo Pasta is even easier when you use your Instant Pot!
I doubled the recipe, used frozen chicken and followed recipe. I also used an 8 quart cooker, but got the “burn” notice and wasn’t able to complete it using the pressure cook setting. I had to switch it to slow cook and order pizza for dinner. Guess tomorrow’s dinner is planned and cooked!
Recipe is bland. I will add some spice next time. Good basic recipe. I would also throw the chicken under the broiler for a bit to “grill” it some. Lastly, the chicken breast I used were huge. Next time I’ll cut them to make them thinner before I put them in to cook.
Update: made this again. Added a little bit of pepper flakes to spice it up. Turned out fine with one exception. Recipe calls for 1/2 lb of fettuccine. There was so much sauce I’m sure I could have used the whole 1lb package. Hubby gave it stamp of approval. And that’s rare. So kudos to you Aimee.
I would like to add shrimp to this as well. Do you have a general idea if adding frozen shrimp would work alright or would you think that they would need to be defrosted? Thanks.
I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for sure.
I just made this for my husband and myself and we really liked it! I have a 5 oz. tub of shaved Parmesan and used the whole thing to get the flavor we like. Delicious!! And there’s enough left over for at least two more servings, so this is a perfect meal for when both of our grown boys are home!
Hi Aimee,
I’m wanting to use Frozen chicken, do I increase the cook time?
Thanks!
I just made this and doubled the recipe. Best Alfredo ever! I used linguini noodles instead, otherwise followed the recipe to a tee. Noodles and chicken were cooked perfectly and the sauce was the perfect consistency. Super easy and so delicious!!!
Awesome!!!!
I just made this, but I used Prego Alfredo Garlic Flavored in the jar, instead of the heavy cream.
I used egg noodles instead of fettuccine.
Everything else is your recipe.
I used 2 frozen chicken breasts.
I also steamed a bag of broccoli & added it after the Alfredo was done..
Absolutely delicious!
Hi, since you doubled the recipe did you have to increase the cooking time?
I’ve made this recipe so many times over the past 2 years exactly as it’s written, it’s perfect!each time! My family and friends love it. Thank you!!!
We loved this. When I took the chicken out at the end, I also threw in a cup of peas.
Can I add frozen peas to this?
So I’ve made this recipe several times no problem, recently I’ve been substituting with evaporated milk and now it’s burning every time I make it, so should I be using heavy cream or is it possibly something else that’s the issue?
I can’t speak to the substitutions, but if it works as written I would go with that 🙂
I’m new to the instant pot thing, so I’m sure that’s what the problem was. I thought I did everything right!
My noodles weren’t done and stuck together. I used the right kind and let it natural release for the right amount of time.
The chicken (chicken breast) was done but really chewy.
(Then I oversteamed my broccoli in the microwave, so I’m just done with today! lol)
I followed the directions exactly, I thought.
Any ideas?
Same for me! Tried this recipe exactly as written and my noodles were stuck together and not cooked all the way. 0/2 with the instapot at my house.
Same here! And I got the burn notice!
My boys loved this; the chicken was a tad dry but overall flavor & ease in assembling was right up my alley!
This is going into our regular family rotation! This was so delicious and cooked up just as the recipe. We opted for the more al dente’ noodles so sautéd our chicken for 2-4 minutes and then 6 minutes for the cook time. We slow released for 8 minutes and then quick released after that. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! So helpful to have yummy meals we can make quickly for our busy family of 6.
Can I use frozen shrimp instead of chicken using same times.
This recipe is delicious with chicken. I added Asparagus too
Can i use frozen boneless skinless chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely!
Hello Aimee, I hope you are doing well. I was just wanting to know if you think I could make this recipe but use cheese tortellini instead of the pasta noodles??
We love this recipe! I’ve probably made the standard version 10 times. I’d like to try the skinny version now. How much corn starch would you recommend adding, and when? Thank you!
I don’t have heavy cream, can I use half and half?
Can you use Alfredo Sauce in a jar instead of the heavy cream?
Can I use a different kind of noodle than fettucine noodles? I have spaghetti and penne on hand I think. Does the size of the noodle make a difference in how fast they cook?
Delicious! New to this IP thing and it turned out great! Thanks! Even my son approved. Will definitely make it again.
I’ve made this twice and both times it was great but both times I got a burn warning before it even made it to pressure. I’m new to pressure cooking. What do I do if that happens and what can I do to avoid it?
Super easy and really good!!
It was amazing boys and I loved it. Only question is can I double the recipe but use the same cook time?
Same cook time, however, it will take longer to come to pressure!