Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Instant Pot dish delivers tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce bursting with garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and Italian herbs. The blend of heavy cream and chicken broth forms a luxurious backdrop for perfectly cooked pasta, making every bite a celebration of bold yet comforting flavors ideal for a satisfying, quick meal.

I made this Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta and it quickly become one of my favorite weeknight dinners. It takes less than 30 minutes and is super hearty.

I start with 1 lb of boneless chicken thighs, seasoned well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. I heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in the Instant Pot and add in 4 cloves of minced garlic.

If I feel like a little kick I toss in 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes too. Next I pour in 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and add 1/2 cup heavy cream so that the sauce gets really rich and creamy.

Then I mix in 8 oz of pasta along with chopped sun dried tomatoes, and let everything come together. Finally, I stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil and dried oregano.

Its a nutritious meal that’s easy to make and perfect even on the busiest days.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s super quick and easy to make. I can just toss all the ingredients in my Instant Pot and have a yummy dinner in less than 30 minutes, even on busy nights. I also like the creamy sauce – the mix of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and tangy sun dried tomatoes really makes the dish rich and flavorful. Another thing is that everything cooks in one pot, which means less mess to clean up afterwards. And finally, I enjoy that I can adjust the heat with the red pepper flakes so it comes out just the way I like it.

Ingredients

• Chicken: rich protein source; its tender meat gives satisfying flavor and fills you up.
• Garlic: bright, healthy; adds a robust aroma and helps boost your immunity.
• Sun dried tomatoes: tangy sweetness loaded with vitamins, complementing the savory creaminess.
• Pasta: good carbohydrates that supply energy and holds the creamy sauce perfectly.
• Heavy cream: rich texture that smooths the sauce while giving a velvety mouthfeel.
• Olive oil: healthy fats that enhance flavors and keeps things from sticking.
• Parmesan cheese: salty aged dairy that boosts umami and thickens the sauce nicely.
• Red pepper flakes: add a kick of heat for those extra spice lovers.
• Herbs: basil and oregano bring earthy aroma that really enriches the dish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into chunks
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, if you like a bit of heat)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 8 oz pasta (penne or your favorite kind)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

1. Start by seasoning 1 lb of chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

2. Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add the chicken, cooking until it gets some light brown color.

3. Toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and let them cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly so the garlic doesn’t burn.

4. Pour in 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream, stirring it all together.

5. Now mix in 8 oz of roughly chopped sun dried tomatoes.

6. Add 8 oz of your favorite pasta into the pot. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid.

7. Sprinkle in 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and then stir everything well.

8. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

9. When the timer goes off, do a quick release. Stir the pasta well and check the seasoning.

10. Finally, stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and, if you like, garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your creamy chicken pasta!

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot
2. Cutting board
3. Chef’s knife
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Stirring utensil (spoon or spatula)

FAQ

Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Chicken: Instead of boneless chicken thighs or breasts, you could use turkey cutlets if you want to try something different.
• Heavy cream: Swap heavy cream with half and half or even coconut cream if you’re lookin for a slight twist.
• Chicken broth: If you cant find low sodium chicken broth, use water with a bouillon cube dissolved in it.
• Sun dried tomatoes: If you dont have sun dried tomatoes in oil, try using oven-dried fresh tomatoes for a similar tangy burst.
• Pasta: If penne isnt available, spaghetti or fettuccine works just as well in this recipe.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you brown the chicken really well before adding the liquids so it gets that awesome flavor and texture. If you rush this step your chicken might turn out soggy, ya know?
2. Pay close attention to the garlic when you’re cooking it. Keep stirring so that its flavor comes out perfectly and it doesn’t burn, because burnt garlic can ruin the dish.
3. When you mix in the pasta, try to push as much of it under the liquid as possible. This helps the noodles cook evenly and soak up all the yummy flavors.
4. Once you’re done pressure cooking, taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Sometimes the pasta will absorb a lot of the salt, so a little extra might be necessary at the end.