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You are here: Home / Main Course / Instant Pot Pesto Chicken with Pasta

Instant Pot Pesto Chicken with Pasta

Instant Pot Main Course

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Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta is a delicious weeknight meal that combines the bright basil and garlic flavor of pesto with easy to cook chicken and pasta. The entire meal made in your Instant Pot in a little more than 30 minutes makes this a perfect weeknight recipe! 

a portion of Instant Pot pesto chicken pasta in a white dish

If you are new to using an Instant Pot, then the idea of cooking pasta in a pressure cooker may sound crazy.  I thought the same thing the first time I tried, but after that first experience, I was hooked.

My Instant Pot has become a beloved kitchen appliance and is used more often than not for our weeknight meals. And I’m all about those easy Instant Pot dinner recipes.

I love chicken, pasta, and pesto — so of course, the combination makes sense to me. Making a yummy dish like this Instant Pot chicken pasta where I don’t have to stand over the stove the whole time makes it even better!

Instant Pot chicken pasta with pesto in the pressure cooker

Ingredients in Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

This Instant Pot chicken and pasta with pesto is a cinch to make and only requires a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make it: 

  • Olive oil
  • Chicken breasts
  • Italian seasoning 
  • Garlic powder
  • Low-sodium chicken broth
  • Cavatappi pasta
  • Pesto sauce
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese 

Can I use homemade pesto for this Instant Pot chicken? 

Admittedly, I may have a slight obsession with pesto. It is just so good! So, yes, I can say a homemade pesto works great for this recipe. In fact, I would have to recommend my easy basil pesto recipe if you have the time and want to go that route. Just know it isn’t necessary and that there are tons of amazing jar pesto options in the grocery store. 

Do you know what pairs great with this chicken and pesto pasta? This delicious cheesy garlic bread!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Just make sure you choose boneless skinless for convenience. 

Chicken thighs are a great option if you prefer dark meat but still want a healthier option.  They also offer a depth of flavor that you don’t typically find in boneless skinless chicken breasts. 

a portion of Instant Pot chicken and pesto pasta in a white dish

How to Make Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

This Instant Pot chicken pasta comes together in about 30 minutes. Here are the basic steps: 

  1. Set the Instant Pot to ‘saute’ setting. Once pot is hot, add olive oil. Then, add cubed chicken and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  2. Sauté chicken until starts to brown.
  3. Press the ‘cancel’ button on Instant Pot. Add the chicken broth and pasta to pot and stir.
  4. Cover, place into lock position and make sure the valve is in the ‘sealing’ position. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. 
  5. When timer goes off, turn off the Instant Pot and do a quick release.
  6. Remove the lid and stir in the pesto until combined. Top with shredded Parmesan.

How Long to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot

For this recipe, the cavatappi pasta will need to cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Then, the Instant Pot needs to do a quick release. 

Instant Pot chicken and pasta being stirred with a wooden spoon

What’s the best pasta for this Instant Pot pasta recipe?

While I love using my Instant Pot for pasta recipes, I do have to say a thicker pasta works best.  Especially if you are cooking meat alongside it. You don’t want overdone mushy pasta, so using something like a good rigatoni, penne, cavatappi, or even an elbow macaroni is best. 

You also want to consider how well the sauce will cling to the pasta.  For this recipe, that is why I prefer a pasta that has some ridges or texture that will hold the sauce and really allow it to coat the pasta.

Tips for Making Pasta in the Instant Pot 

  • You can cook pretty much any pasta in the Instant Pot, but thicker pastas work best in my experience. Keep that in mind if making any substitutions! 
  • I prefer cooking the pasta in chicken broth because it has much more flavor than just water. 
  • Note that the Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure before it actually begins cooking the pasta. 

Looking for more pesto recipes? I’ve got you covered!

  • Basil Pesto Pasta with Broccoli and Mushrooms
  • Easy Basil Pesto
  • Pesto Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Shaved Asparagus Pesto Salad
  • Pesto Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas 
Instant Pot Pesto Chicken with Pasta is a delicious weeknight meal that combines the bright basil and garlic flavor of pesto with easy to cook chicken and pasta. The entire meal made in your Instant Pot in a little more than 30 minutes makes this a perfect weeknight recipe! #chicken #pestochicken #pesto #pestochickenpasta #pasta #instantpot #instantpotchicken #instantpotpasta #weeknightdinner #easydinner #dinner
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5 from 3 votes

Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta is a delicious weeknight meal that combines the bright basil and garlic flavor of pesto with easy to cook chicken and pasta. The entire meal made in your Instant Pot in a little more than 30 minutes makes this a perfect weeknight recipe!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken recipe, instant pot chicken recipe, instant pot recipe, instant pot tacos, pesto chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 348kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound uncooked cavatappi pasta *
  • 1 cup jarred pesto sauce or this basil pesto sauce
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to 'saute' setting. Once pot is hot, add olive oil. Then add cubed chicken and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  • Sauté chicken until starts to brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Press the 'cancel' button on Instant Pot. Add chicken broth and pasta to pot and stir. Cover, place into lock position and make sure the valve is in the 'sealing' position. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. **The IP will take 15 minutes to come to pressure and then will cook for 5 minutes**
  • When timer goes off, turn off the Instant Pot and do a quick release.
  • Remove lid and stir in pesto until combined. Top with shredded cheese.

Notes

*Pasta: you can also use rotini, rigatoni, etc., but may need to increase the amount of chicken broth by 1/2 cup.
See my other tips and tricks for making this Instant Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta above the recipe box. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 504IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

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By Gayle | October 7, 2019

Comments

  1. Zach says

    March 2, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    I love chicken pesto. Only thing that I did differently was added another half a cup of Parmesan cheese and half a cup of mozzarella cheese and a cup of cherry tomatoes to stir in with the basil pesto

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      March 2, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      That sounds like a great idea, Zach! Thanks for sharing and for stopping by!
      Reply
  2. Shanna says

    August 4, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    I loved this recipe. I added a block of cream cheese for a creamer pesto pasta.

    5 stars

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      August 5, 2020 at 7:46 am

      Great idea! So glad you liked this, Shanna!
      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    August 6, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Anyone know How many points on ww blue plan?
    Reply
    • Gayle says

      August 6, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Hi Jessica! I really have no idea. Is there a calculator you can find online to help?
      Reply
  4. Kasey says

    August 25, 2020 at 6:48 pm

    Is the pasta suppose to be cooked when added to the instant pot?
    Reply
    • Gayle says

      August 26, 2020 at 6:43 am

      Hi Kasey! No, per the recipe directions, you add the dry pasta to the pot and then cook. Hope you enjoy!
      Reply
  5. Clem says

    December 16, 2020 at 8:48 am

    I don't see in the recipe directions in which step you add the pesto sauce. I assume that it is added after the pasta is cooked at the same time you add the parmesan cheese?
    Reply
    • Gayle says

      December 16, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      Hi Clem! You add the pesto in the last step (step 5), after the pasta is cooked, per the directions in the recipe box. Hope this helps!
      Reply

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