Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta: Your New Go-To One-Pot Meal

Craving the rich, creamy flavors of Olive Garden’s famous chicken pasta but need a weeknight-friendly solution? Look no further than this incredible Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe! This dish brings all the comfort and deliciousness right to your kitchen in a single pot. Whether you prefer a mild, comforting cream sauce or a bold, spicy Cajun kick, this pressure cooker dinner delivers fantastic results every time. It’s a true “dump and go” meal that combines tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta with a luscious sauce, making it an instant family favorite.

There’s nothing quite like the convenience of an easy one-pot meal, especially after a busy day. Being able to combine your meat, pasta, and sauce directly into a single pot and have it emerge perfectly cooked is an absolute game-changer for home cooks. This recipe is a prime example of the many quick Instant Pot recipes we love sharing on The Typical Mom blog, designed to simplify your cooking while maximizing flavor.

Versatile Pressure Cooker Chicken Pasta: Works in Ninja Foodi & More

This delightful creamy chicken pasta recipe is incredibly versatile and can be made in virtually any electric pressure cooker. Whether you own an Instant Pot, a Ninja Foodi, a Crockpot Express, or a Mealthy Pot, you can achieve the same fantastic results. While button layouts might vary slightly between brands, the core pressure cooking functions remain consistent. This means you can confidently follow this recipe, no matter which model you have sitting on your countertop.

One of the most appealing aspects of this dish, besides its irresistible taste, is its truly effortless preparation. It’s a genuine “dump and go” meal, perfect for those evenings when time is short but you still want a wholesome, homemade dinner. If you’re new to the magic of cooking your main protein and side dish together in one go, you’re in for a real treat! This recipe is reminiscent of our beloved Instant Pot crack chicken pasta, but with a unique flavor profile and the option for a delightful spicy kick, making it a guaranteed family favorite.

Essential Tips for Instant Pot Success

If you’re embarking on your pressure cooking journey, we have a wealth of easy one-pot meal recipes here to guide you. To ensure a smooth and successful experience with this and future recipes, let’s start with a few fundamental tips:

• Make sure to Bookmark our InstaPot recipes page. We consistently add new and exciting recipes each week, so you’ll always find fresh inspiration!
• Then, for an invaluable quick reference, PRINT this Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It will dramatically help you understand the precise cooking durations for various meats, vegetables, and beans in your pressure cooker, eliminating guesswork.
• For optimal cooking and easier cleanup, we highly recommend you invest in a good non-stick inner pot. While it’s crucial to understand how to deglaze your pressure cooker after sautéing to prevent the “burn” notice, a non-stick liner significantly reduces issues with food sticking, making your cooking experience much more pleasant.

For your reference, the primary model we use for all our recipe creations is a 6-quart Instant Pot, which offers ample capacity for family-sized meals like this chicken pasta.

Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta: Customize Your Spice Level

One of the best features of this recipe is its adaptability to your preferred spice level. You can prepare this Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta with a noticeable kick by incorporating a generous amount of Cajun seasoning, or you can opt for a milder version by omitting it entirely. If you’re unsure or catering to different tastes, a clever trick is to make the base mild and then allow individuals to sprinkle their desired amount of Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes onto their portion at the table. This ensures everyone enjoys the meal exactly how they like it.

While we specifically used penne pasta for this recipe, many other medium-sized pasta shapes would work beautifully. Small shells, rotini, or even farfalle (bow-tie pasta) are excellent substitutes and will generally follow the same cooking times. Feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand, ensuring it’s a type that holds up well in a creamy sauce.

Viral TikTok Sensation: Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

If you’ve encountered this mouthwatering recipe trending online, particularly on platforms like TikTok, you might be surprised to learn just how simple it is to recreate at home. All you truly need to get started is an electric pressure cooker of any brand. The specific shape of the noodles isn’t overly critical, though medium-sized pasta tends to yield the best texture in this dish. It’s worth noting that if you opt for gluten-free noodles, they generally cook faster than traditional pasta. Therefore, you’ll want to slightly decrease the suggested cooking time to prevent them from becoming overcooked and mushy.

Can You Cook Uncooked Pasta in the Instant Pot? Absolutely!

Yes, most definitely! One of the greatest advantages of pressure cooking is the ability to cook uncooked pasta directly in the pot, alongside other ingredients. All of our Instant Pot pasta recipes utilize this method, saving you precious time and extra dirty dishes. The key to success is ensuring there’s enough liquid in the pot for the pasta to absorb as it cooks. Amazingly, pasta can emerge tender and delicious in as few as 2 minutes of high-pressure cooking, depending on the type and desired al dente level. When combining pasta with meat, we typically recommend a pressure cook time of no longer than 5 minutes; 3 minutes is often our go-to for perfectly cooked pasta that isn’t overly soft.

For the chicken component, you can certainly use diced chicken thighs if you prefer. Over the years, many cooks, including ourselves, have found that chicken thighs, being dark meat, often become more tender and impart a richer flavor to the dish, especially when they are more economically priced. The choice between chicken breasts and thighs often comes down to what’s on sale or your personal preference, as the pressure cooking time generally doesn’t differ for cubed pieces. To season your dish, you can either purchase a ready-made Cajun spice mix for convenience or easily whip up your own homemade blend with common pantry staples, as outlined below.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe

Creating your own Cajun seasoning blend allows you to control the freshness and adjust the spice level to your liking. Here’s a simple recipe:

• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp mild paprika (or smoked paprika for extra depth)
• 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground is best)
• 1 tsp salt
• Optional: 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper for an extra spicy kick

Combine all ingredients thoroughly in a small bowl. Store any unused seasoning in an airtight container for future use.

How to Make Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta: Step-by-Step

Before diving into the pressure cooking, it’s vital to remember that anytime you sauté meat in your Instant Pot, you must deglaze your pressure cooker afterward. This simple step involves scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, which prevents the dreaded “burn” notice and ensures even cooking. Once you understand the importance of deglazing, you can apply this technique to countless future pressure cooker meals, saving you from frustration and guaranteeing delicious results.

1. Sauté Chicken and Onions: Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onions and cubed chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, just until the exterior of the chicken pieces is no longer pink.
2. Deglaze the Pot: Turn off the “Sauté” function. Pour in a small amount of chicken broth (about 1/4 cup) and use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to carefully scrape up any browned or stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pot. This deglazing step is crucial for preventing a “burn” warning and infusing more flavor into your dish.
3. Layer Seasonings and Vegetables: Sprinkle in all your desired seasonings, including your homemade or store-bought Cajun mix, salt, and pepper. Add the sliced or diced bell peppers; remember, smaller pieces will become softer during pressure cooking. Stir everything together to combine the flavors.
4. Add Pasta and Remaining Broth: Pour in the remaining chicken broth. Next, gently sprinkle the uncooked medium-sized noodles over the chicken and vegetables. Do not stir the pasta into the liquid. Instead, gently use the back of a spoon to submerge the noodles just beneath the surface of the broth. This prevents the pasta from sticking together and ensures even cooking.
5. Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on High Pressure and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the steam by carefully moving the valve to the “Venting” position.
6. Finish with Cream and Herbs: Once the float valve drops and all steam has been released, remove the lid. Give the pasta and chicken a good stir. Now, add the heavy cream and fresh diced parsley. Stir everything together until the sauce is well combined and creamy.
7. Thicken and Serve: Allow the dish to sit for about 5 minutes with the lid off. This resting period allows the sauce to thicken further to a perfect consistency, as the pasta continues to absorb the flavors. Then, it’s ready to serve! The incredible benefit here is there’s NO need to cook the pasta ahead of time, saving you approximately 20 minutes of prep and cleanup.

Dairy-Free Instant Pot Chicken and Pasta Alternatives

For those with dietary restrictions or who prefer a dairy-free option, you can easily adapt this Instant Pot Chicken and Pasta recipe. While the heavy cream is key to its classic creaminess, several alternatives can achieve a similar texture and flavor profile. You could choose to omit the heavy cream entirely, though the final dish won’t have the same rich, creamy consistency. A popular alternative is to add about half a block of cream cheese (regular or lactose-free) at the end. For the best results, let the cream cheese come to room temperature beforehand, then whisk it into the pasta until it melts and creates a creamy, smooth sauce. Coconut milk is another viable option, offering a subtle flavor note and a nice creaminess, though it may not be as thick as heavy cream or cream cheese.

Important Tip: When preparing this particular dish, avoid using whole chicken breasts or thighs with the expectation of shredding them at the end. The 5-minute pressure cooking time is specifically for bite-sized chicken pieces and is not long enough to cook whole cuts thoroughly. If you were to extend the cooking time to 12 minutes for whole meat, the pasta would become extremely soft, mushy, and unappetizing. For a consistently successful and delicious meal, strictly follow the instructions below, using cubed chicken pieces.

Beyond the Classic: Olive Garden-Inspired Variations

While we’ve experimented with a slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta version in the past, we’ve found that pressure cooking truly yields a superior result for pasta dishes. The texture of pasta cooked under pressure is far better – firm yet tender – compared to the softer, sometimes mushy consistency that can result from slow cooking. This method ensures your pasta is perfectly al dente, absorbing all the delicious flavors without breaking down.

This versatile Ninja Foodi Chicken Pasta can be served as a complete meal on its own, given it already contains protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. However, it also pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, perhaps tossed with a copycat Olive Garden Italian dressing for an authentic touch. For a quick and healthy side, consider serving it alongside some crispy air fryer broccoli. Feel free to jump to the recipe card below to start cooking, and don’t forget you can print the recipe to keep it handy for future reference. We always love seeing you here, so feel free to return anytime for more culinary inspiration!

5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

By Justine

This Instant Pot Olive Garden chicken pasta is a versatile one-pot wonder! Enjoy it mild or with a spicy Cajun kick for an easy pressure cooker dinner featuring tender chicken and delicious noodles.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Servings: 5

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Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cubed into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced or diced (any color)
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, optional, to add heat (or use homemade blend below)
  Cajun Spices Mix: 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp oregano, 2 tsp mild paprika, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp salt
• 2.5 c chicken broth
• 3/4 c heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative)
• 1/4 c parsley, fresh, diced (for garnish)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb penne pasta (or other medium-sized pasta)

Instructions

1. Set your pressure cooker to “Sauté” mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onions and cubed chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside. Turn off the pot. Pour in a small amount of chicken broth (about 1/4 cup) and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This crucial “deglazing” step prevents sticking and enhances flavor.
2. Sprinkle in all your chosen seasonings (Cajun mix, salt, pepper) and add the bell peppers. Stir everything together gently to ensure even coating.
3. Pour in the remaining chicken broth. Carefully sprinkle the uncooked medium-sized noodles over the mixture. Do not stir the pasta into the liquid. Instead, gently push the pasta down with the back of a spoon to submerge it into the liquid without mixing. This helps prevent clumping.
4. Close the lid and ensure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Set your pressure cooker to High Pressure for 5 minutes. Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the steam by carefully turning the valve to the “Venting” position.
5. Once all steam has been released and the float valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Stir the contents well. Add the heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative) and fresh parsley, then stir until fully combined and the sauce is creamy. Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes with the lid off to allow the sauce to thicken further before serving hot. Enjoy your effortless and delicious Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta!

Video

Nutrition

Serving:
2oz

,

Calories:
619kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
74g

,

Protein:
33g

,

Fat:
20g

,

Saturated Fat:
9g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
2g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
7g

,

Trans Fat:
1g

,

Cholesterol:
107mg

,

Sodium:
559mg

,

Potassium:
820mg

,

Fiber:
5g

,

Sugar:
5g

,

Vitamin A:
2932IU

,

Vitamin C:
46mg

,

Calcium:
71mg

,

Iron:
3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

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