Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Delight

$For the perfect Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo, you will need: - 1 lb chicken breast, diced into 1-inch cubes - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth - 1 cup heavy whipping cream - 8 oz fettuccine pasta - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend - Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste - Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish) These ingredients blend together to create a rich and creamy dish. While the dish is tasty on its own, you can elevate it with some garnishes: - Extra grated Parmesan cheese - A sprinkle of crushed red pepper for heat - Lemon zest for brightness - Sliced green onions for a fresh touch These garnishes add flavor and visual appeal to your meal. If you don’t have an ingredient, here are some substitutes: - Chicken breast: Use chicken thighs for a juicier option. - Olive oil: Vegetable oil or butter can work as well. - Heavy cream: Substitute with half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter version. - Fettuccine: Any pasta shape like penne or rotini can be used. These substitutions allow you to customize the recipe to fit your pantry. {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Dice the Chicken: Start with 1 lb of chicken breast. Cut it into 1-inch cubes. This size helps the chicken cook evenly. 2. Minced Garlic: Take 3 cloves of garlic and finely mince them. Fresh garlic adds a strong flavor. 3. Season the Chicken: Use sea salt and black pepper to season the chicken. This step adds depth to your dish. 1. Sauté Mode: Set your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat for about 1 minute. 2. Brown the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until it's golden brown on all sides. This step gives great flavor. 3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until it smells good but doesn't burn. 4. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any bits stuck to the pot. This adds flavor to your sauce. 5. Add Fettuccine: Place 8 oz of fettuccine pasta in the pot. Make sure it is fully submerged in the broth. Do not stir yet to avoid clumping. 6. Pressure Cook: Press the Cancel button to stop sautéing. Close the lid and set the steam valve to sealing. Choose the Manual or Pressure Cook setting for 8 minutes. 7. Quick Release: Once the time is up, turn the valve to venting for a quick release. Carefully open the lid once all the steam is gone. 8. Mix in Cream and Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. 9. Taste and Adjust: Taste your Alfredo. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Let it sit on Keep Warm for about 5 minutes to thicken. - Creaminess: Use heavy cream for the best texture. It adds richness. - Timing: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps it thicken nicely. - Stir Gently: When mixing in the cheese, stir gently. This keeps the sauce smooth and creamy. To boost flavor in your Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo, start with quality ingredients. Use fresh garlic for a strong taste. Season your chicken well with salt and pepper before cooking. This makes a big difference. Adding some red pepper flakes can give a nice kick. You can also mix in fresh herbs like basil or thyme for extra depth. If you want more cheese flavor, use a mix of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano. You can prep this dish ahead of time. Cut the chicken into cubes and store it in the fridge. Mix the dry seasonings and store them in a small container. This way, you save time during cooking. You can also cook the pasta and store it separately. Just remember to keep the sauce separate. When ready to eat, heat the sauce and combine everything. It makes for an easy dinner on a busy night. Avoid overcooking the chicken. Sauté it just until golden brown. If you cook it too long, it can become dry. Don’t skip the deglazing step after sautéing the chicken. This adds great flavor and prevents burning. When adding pasta, don’t stir it right away. This helps keep the pasta from clumping together. Finally, remember to taste your dish before serving. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. These tips will help ensure your Alfredo is creamy and delicious! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh chicken and high-quality Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor of your Alfredo sauce. Deglaze Properly: Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot while adding the broth to capture all those delicious browned bits for added flavor. Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick after adding the cream and cheese, feel free to stir in a bit more chicken broth to achieve your desired creaminess. Garnish with Style: For an elegant presentation, add a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a few additional parsley leaves on top before serving. {{image_4}} You can make this dish even better by adding veggies. Try spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers. Simply chop them into small pieces. Add them to the pot when you add the garlic. The veggies will cook quickly and add great flavor and color. Fettuccine is a classic choice, but you can switch it up. Penne or rotini work well too. If you want a healthier option, use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the pasta type you choose. Check the package for best results. Chicken is great, but you can use other proteins too. Shrimp or diced turkey are fantastic swaps. For a vegetarian option, try chickpeas or tofu. If you pick a different protein, adjust the cooking time as needed. This way, you keep the dish quick and creamy! To keep your Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo fresh, use airtight containers. Make sure to let the dish cool before sealing. This helps avoid excess moisture and keeps it creamy. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. When you reheat, use a microwave or stovetop. If using the microwave, heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. This ensures even heating. If using the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to help with moisture. Stir until heated through. You can freeze chicken Alfredo, but it may change texture. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as mentioned above. Alternatively, you can thaw it in the microwave on a low setting. To make this dish gluten-free, you need to choose gluten-free pasta. There are many great options available in stores. Look for brands that use rice or corn flour. Just replace the regular fettuccine with the gluten-free kind in the recipe. The cooking time may change slightly, so check the package instructions. You will still enjoy a creamy and tasty meal! Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. This helps the chicken cook all the way through. When using frozen chicken, make sure to break it apart a little before cooking. The Instant Pot will do its magic, and you will have a delicious dish in no time! If you want to skip heavy cream, you have options. You can use whole milk mixed with a little flour for thickness. Another choice is to use coconut milk for a dairy-free version. Silken tofu blended until smooth also works great for creaminess. Just remember to adjust the flavor a bit, as each substitute can change the taste slightly. Enjoy finding the right fit for your meal! This blog post covered everything you need for Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo. We listed ingredients, optional garnishes, and helpful substitutions. You learned step-by-step how to prepare and cook the dish, plus tips for the best texture. We shared tricks to boost flavor and avoid common mistakes. You can explore variations with veggies, different pasta, and proteins. Lastly, we discussed storage and rewarming methods. With these tools, you can confidently make a delicious meal any time. Enjoy your cooking journey!$

Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Delight

A rich and creamy chicken Alfredo made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast, diced into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 oz fettuccine pasta
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
to taste sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
for garnish fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. Add the extra virgin olive oil and allow it to heat until shimmering, which should take about 1 minute.
While the oil is heating, season the diced chicken breast generously with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Once the oil is ready, add the seasoned chicken to the pot. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown on each side.
Next, add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt.
Carefully pour the chicken broth into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom to deglaze and lift any flavorful brown bits stuck to the pot.
Gently add the fettuccine pasta to the pot, ensuring it is fully submerged in the broth. Avoid stirring at this stage to prevent clumping.
With the pasta added, press the Cancel button to stop the sauté mode. Close the lid securely, ensuring the steam release valve is set to the sealing position, and select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting for 8 minutes.
After the cooking time elapses, perform a quick release of the pressure by carefully turning the valve to venting. Once all the steam is released, open the lid cautiously.
Stir in the heavy whipping cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning blend. Mix well until the cheese is fully melted, and the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Allow the Alfredo to sit on the Keep Warm setting for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Notes

For a touch of elegance, garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Keyword Alfredo, chicken, Instant Pot, pasta