You are in for a treat because this Instant Pot Chicken Pasta recipe is so easy to make! This recipe is easy to make gluten free; use gluten free penne pasta! Gluten-free pasta can be challenging, but it worked beautifully in this recipe!
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(*Arla® Cream Cheese sponsored this post, but the content and opinions expressed are my own.)
This post is going to be a lot of fun! Have you watched Chopped on the FoodNetwork? It is a fun cooking show where the contestants are given a basket of items. They must create a delicious recipe with all the ingredients in their basket.
If you love chicken as much as we do, you will want to check out ALL of my delicious Gluten Free Chicken Recipes.
My Challenge Basket Included:
Ingredients in my challenge basket included:
- Arla cream cheese (more about this yummy stuff shortly!)
- Chicken
- Baby Spinach
- Roasted Red Peppers
I have been experimenting quite a bit with my Instant Pot lately. My biggest challenge has been to get gluten free pasta to stay firm and not turn to mush when cooking in a pressure cooker. Cooking pasta in an Instant Pot isn’t easy. You want the pasta to be al dente.
If you love using your Instant Pot, try this gluten free taco pasta recipe too!
The hero of this recipe is the Arla cream cheese. It makes such a delicious creamy sauce for this pasta! Arla cream cheese doesn’t only come in the Original plain flavor I used for this recipe, but there are also fun flavors like Blueberry, Strawberry, Herbs & Spices, Mediterranean Garden, and Skyr.
Tips For Success:
- It is very easy for gluten free pasta to turn to mush. Be sure to add the pasta in the second part as directed by the recipe. If you put it in before the chicken cooks, your pasta will disintegrate.
- You can add vegetables to this recipe. I like to add carrots, red bell pepper, and canned artichokes.
- If you are dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese.
Arla’s Original cream cheese is made with four simple ingredients that you can recognize: cream, skim milk, cream culture, and salt!
Step-By-Step Photos and Instructions:
Step 1: Add the oil and onions to the Instant Pot and hit the sauté setting. This will help you cook the onions in the oil for five minutes.
Step 2: Add one package of Arla Original cream cheese, chicken breasts, red peppers, basil, 1/2 of the chicken broth, and seasonings to the Instant Pot.
Cook on the Poultry setting according to your Instant Pot or pressure cooker directions.
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Step 3: When the chicken is done, depressurize your pressure cooker according to the directions or allow it to slowly release.
When it is done, open your Instant Pot. Add the spinach and stir. The leaves will wilt but not fall apart.
Step 4: Remove the chicken breasts and place them on a cutting board. Shred them with two forks or these easy-to-use Meat Claws. Add the chicken back into the pot. The chicken is so moist it will fall apart as you shred it.
How to cook gluten free pasta in an Instant Pot:
Step 5: Now for the instant pot pasta trick. If you add the pasta initially, it will overcook and fall apart. Add the uncooked gluten free pasta to the Instant Pot. I dump it right in.
Next, add the second package of Arla cream cheese and the other half of the chicken broth.
Step 6: Set the Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) to cook for just 5 minutes. That is all it takes. It will turn mush if you overcook the pasta in the pressure cooker.
Step 7: Let the pressure release when the pressure cooker is done. Open the pressure cooker when it is totally depressurized and stir. Enjoy!
Serve this pasta dish with the perfect gluten free bread:
Serve this Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken with these Gluten Free Breadsticks or Gluten Free Garlic Knots. They are both perfect for mopping up all of that cheesy sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, this is easy to do, so please cook the chicken as I direct in the recipe.
You will know the chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature is 165º F.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing the leftovers because it will make the pasta mushy.
More Delicious Instant Pot Meal Recipes:
- Instant Pot Chicken Stew
- Grandma’s Chicken Soup Instant Pot Version
- Instant Pot Cabbage and Meatballs
- Instant Pot Vegetable Soup with Shredded Chicken
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup roasted red peppers
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 3 garlic cloves
- 14 ounces cream cheese plain flavor
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 10 ounces gluten free pasta uncooked
- ¼ cup parmesan
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Instructions
- In the Instant Pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 garlic cloves (minced), and 1 small onion (diced). Cook on Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 2 chicken breasts, 32 ounces chicken broth, 2 cups water, 7 ounces of the cream cheese, and 1/3 cup roasted red peppers. Close and lock the pressure cooker. Cook on poultry setting or 15 minutes.
- Safely release pressure per your pressure cooker brand’s safety instructions.
- Open the pressure cooker and remove the chicken. Shred the chicken and put back into the pot. Add 10 ounces gluten free pasta (uncooked!!) to the pot. Cook on manual 5 minutes.
- Safely depressurize the pressure cooker again. Add 2 cups fresh spinach and last 7 ounces of cream cheese and mix well.
- Garnish with 1/4 cup parmesan and more fresh basil.
Notes
- I have found corn/rice blend gluten free pasta holds up better in the Instant Pot for this recipe.
- If you are dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese.
- You can add more vegetables like carrots and artichokes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing leftovers because pasta will turn to mush.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This post was updated from an older April 2018 post with more recipe details.
I made this according to your print instructions and it turned out great. I did notice that your print instructions are not the same as your step by step instructions. Wondering which way you actually prepare this dish or if either works. Thanks!
Hi Jody, Thank you so much for your note. I will check and see.
Hi Can you tell me when to add the water. It is not in your description just the recipe.
I’m making it tonight
I add it to the pot before cooking.
When you mention in the directions to depressurize the Instant pot, each time, is it quick release or natural (slow ) release. Can you please clarify? Thanks!
Hi Heather, I used a quick release. I hope that helps.