Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Noodles is a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering a wonderfully easy, affordable, and incredibly creamy one-pot meal. Whether you start with diced or whole frozen chicken, or opt for fresh or even leftover rotisserie, this recipe adapts seamlessly, making it a staple in any kitchen. Combining tender chicken with your favorite pasta in a rich, savory sauce, it’s a comforting dish that consistently earns rave reviews from both adults and children alike.

The Ultimate Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Noodles Recipe

This Instant Pot chicken and noodles dish has quickly become a household favorite, especially when utilizing ingredients like penne pasta and various forms of chicken. It’s a fantastic solution for transforming leftover chicken into something new and exciting, or for whipping up a meal from scratch with frozen ingredients. We prefer using bite-sized pasta shapes like penne or medium shells over spaghetti-style noodles. This not only makes the meal easier to eat, particularly for kids, but these shapes also do an excellent job of soaking up every drop of the delectable cream cheese-infused sauce.

While reminiscent of our Instant Pot crack chicken pasta, this version offers a unique flavor profile without the ranch seasoning, focusing instead on pure creamy goodness. Although you could prepare this dish without meat if you prefer a vegetarian option, adding chicken ensures a balanced, protein-rich meal that truly stands alone as a complete one-pot solution for dinner.

Cooking Convenience in Any Pressure Cooker

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability across various electric pressure cooker brands. Whether you own an Instant Pot, a Crockpot Express, or a Ninja Foodi, you can achieve the same fantastic results. The principles of pressure cooking remain consistent, allowing you to create this creamy chicken and noodle masterpiece with ease, regardless of your specific appliance.

While it might take slightly longer than making a basic Instant Pot mac and cheese, the minimal extra effort is undoubtedly worthwhile. Imagine rich, creamy, almost alfredo-like noodles perfectly cooked alongside tender chicken – a truly satisfying one-pot meal that tastes like it took hours, but comes together in minutes. Opting for medium-sized pasta, such as shells or penne, is highly recommended. These shapes don’t require breaking, which means less mess during preparation and an easier meal for everyone, especially families with young children.

Below, in the detailed recipe card, we will walk you through the distinct cooking methods for using fresh versus frozen chicken in your pressure cooker. You’ll find that most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry. A key tip: always opt for full-fat cream cheese. This recipe isn’t about calorie counting; it’s about indulging in incredible flavor and achieving that perfectly luxurious, creamy texture that makes this dish so irresistible.

Key Ingredients for a Flavorful Dish

Crafting this delicious Instant Pot chicken and noodles dish requires a few simple yet essential ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that sought-after creamy consistency and savory depth.

Choosing Your Pasta and Chicken

• Medium Pasta Shells or Penne Noodles: These are ideal for this recipe. Their shape allows them to cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully. Feel free to use whatever brand or shape is on sale, as the performance remains consistent.
• Chicken Breasts or Thighs (Frozen, Fresh, or Precooked): You’ll need about 2-3 pieces of chicken, preferably cut into small, bite-sized pieces. If using whole frozen chicken breasts, specific instructions are provided below. For quick thawing, you can follow these tips on how to defrost chicken in a microwave, but often, with the Instant Pot, thawing isn’t even necessary!

The Creamy Sauce and Flavor Boosters

• Chicken Broth: Always prefer chicken broth over water for an added layer of flavor that enriches the entire dish.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing fresh chicken and building a foundation of flavor. Any other cooking oil variety can also be used.
• Italian Salad Dressing: This is a secret ingredient that provides a burst of herbaceous and tangy flavor with minimal effort, elevating the sauce to new heights.
• Parmesan Cheese: While optional, a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami depth that is highly encouraged for an even richer finish.
• Cream Cheese: The star of the show for creaminess! One full package ensures a luxuriously smooth and rich sauce that coats every noodle.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to taste, crucial for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors.

You have the flexibility to use whole or diced frozen chicken, or fresh chicken. We will detail all methods in the instructions. If you’re organized and defrosted your chicken the night before, that’s fantastic! If you’re a bit forgetful like many of us, don’t worry – this recipe is incredibly forgiving, and your meal will still turn out fantastic. If using a Ninja Foodi, simply use the non-attached lid for pressure cooking, ensuring you select the pressure cook function.

For added nutrition and flavor, consider incorporating some mixed frozen vegetables into the mix. These can be added at the beginning, typically after any initial sautéing of the meat. Understanding the nuances between cooking fresh versus tenderizing frozen meat first is key, and we’ll cover that below. Once the chicken is ready, you’ll follow the same straightforward steps to complete this amazing one-pot meal.

How to Cook Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Noodles Perfectly

Achieving the perfect creamy Instant Pot chicken and noodles is all about proper layering and timing. Follow these steps carefully for a consistently delicious result:

• Layering the Ingredients: Start by placing your prepared chicken (following the specific instructions for fresh, frozen, or precooked chicken below) at the bottom of the Instant Pot. Cut room temperature cream cheese into chunks and distribute them evenly over the chicken. Pour half a cup of chicken broth over the cream cheese and chicken, then season generously with salt and pepper.
• Adding Pasta and Remaining Liquid: Next, pour the uncooked penne pasta directly on top of the layers. It’s crucial **not to stir** at this stage, as stirring can lead to a “burn” notice. Pour the remaining 1.5 cups of chicken broth over the noodles, followed by the Italian dressing. Gently press down on the noodles to ensure they are as submerged in the liquid as possible; this promotes even cooking.
• Pressure Cooking Process: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the steam release valve is set to the sealing position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes on high pressure.
• Release and Finish: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow a 2-minute Natural Release (NPR). After 2 minutes, carefully perform a Quick Release (QR) by turning the steam release valve to the venting position until all pressure is released and the float valve drops. Lift the lid and stir the contents thoroughly. The cream cheese will melt and integrate, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Final Thickening: Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and gently fold it into the pasta. Place the lid back on the Instant Pot (you don’t need to lock it) and let the dish rest for a good 5 minutes. This resting period allows the sauce to thicken beautifully and the noodles to continue softening to perfection. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Using Egg Noodles for a Delicate Touch

If you prefer using more delicate egg noodles in your Instant Pot chicken and noodles, you certainly can, but a slight adjustment to the cooking time is necessary. Egg noodles are typically floppier and cook much faster than heartier pasta like elbow macaroni or shells. While we often use bagged dry egg noodles, frozen egg noodles also work well, cooking at a similar rate in a pressure cooker. To ensure they don’t turn mushy, you might need to reduce the main pressure cooking time by a minute or two, depending on the thickness of your egg noodles. Monitor closely the first time you try this variation to find your ideal cooking time.

Flexible Cooking Times for Different Chicken Types

One of the greatest advantages of this Instant Pot chicken and noodles recipe is its flexibility when it comes to the type of chicken you use. Whether you have fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked chicken on hand, the Instant Pot handles it beautifully with minimal adjustments:

• Using Fresh Chicken:
  • Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and add olive oil.
  • Add the fresh chicken pieces and cook until the outsides are no longer pink.
  • Turn off the pot. Deglaze the bottom by scraping any stuck-on bits with a wooden spatula and a splash of broth to prevent a “burn” warning during pressure cooking.
  • Proceed with layering the remaining ingredients as described in the main instructions.
• Using Frozen Chicken:
  • If your frozen chicken is already small and bite-sized, simply place it directly at the bottom of the pot. Skip the sautéing step.
  • If you are using two whole frozen chicken breasts, place them in the pot with 3/4 cup of water or broth. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, followed by a quick pressure release.
  • Remove the chicken, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and drain any excess liquid from the pot. Return the chopped chicken to the pot and continue with the next steps for layering.
• Using Precooked Chicken (e.g., Leftover Rotisserie or Shredded):
  • If you’re using leftover or pre-cooked shredded chicken, there’s no need to sauté it.
  • Simply place the cooked chicken at the bottom of the pot.
  • Proceed directly with layering the cream cheese, broth, and pasta as outlined in the main instructions.

This dish truly serves as a complete meal on its own, especially if you consider adding frozen vegetables into the mix for extra nutrients and color. Peas, carrots, or broccoli florets are excellent additions that cook perfectly alongside the pasta.

For those craving a comforting soup on a chilly day, be sure to check out our Instant Pot frozen chicken noodle soup recipe. It’s an absolute winner, and just like this creamy pasta, it makes for fantastic leftovers!

How to Save Leftovers and Reheat

This Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Noodles recipe makes for fantastic leftovers, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner the next day. To ensure your leftovers stay delicious and moist, follow these simple storage and reheating tips:

• Cool Completely: Before storing, allow the entire dish to cool down to room temperature. This prevents condensation from building up, which can lead to sogginess or affect food safety.
• Airtight Storage: Transfer the cooled chicken and noodles to a sealed airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Be sure to scrape every bit of that creamy sauce into the container with the pasta and chicken. The sauce is key to keeping the noodles from drying out and maintains the dish’s rich flavor.
• Refrigeration: Store the sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Reheating Instructions:
  • For best results, place your desired portion of leftovers into a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of chicken broth or water over the top of the pasta. This extra liquid helps to rehydrate the noodles and revive the creamy sauce.
  • Heat in the microwave on high for 1 minute.
  • Stir well, breaking up any clumps and distributing the sauce evenly.
  • Continue heating for another 1-2 minutes, or until the dish is thoroughly warmed through. Adjust heating time based on your microwave’s power and the amount of food.
• Freezing Leftovers: While it is not recommended to re-freeze meat that was initially frozen, defrosted, and then cooked, you can freeze this dish if all ingredients were fresh to begin with. However, the texture of the pasta might change slightly upon thawing and reheating. For the best quality, consume leftovers from the refrigerator.

With these guidelines, you can enjoy your delicious Instant Pot Frozen Chicken and Noodles for days to come, making meal prep a breeze!

We believe we’ve covered all the essential aspects of creating this incredibly convenient and tasty Instant Pot meal. If you discover a unique tweak or addition that takes this recipe to another level, please share it with us! We’re always eager to try new “tricks” in our kitchen. Now, dive into the recipe and let us know what you think!