If you’re craving the kind of creamy, comforting dinner that causes a stir every time it hits the table, you’ll adore this Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Lush sun-dried tomatoes, juicy chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta all get nestled together in a velvety Parmesan cream sauce—ready in under 30 minutes with almost no dishes to wash. It’s everything you love about a cozy pasta night and an elegant date night in a single, irresistible bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything—including the pasta—cooks right in your Instant Pot, so you’ll have minimal mess and maximum flavor after dinner.
- Irresistibly Creamy: The combination of heavy cream, melted Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a luxuriously smooth sauce that practically begs to be scooped up with bread.
- Fast Enough for Busy Nights: Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for weeknights when you still want the magic of a special meal.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dish truly lives up to its name—serve it at family dinners or gatherings, and you just might get a few marriage proposals!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is how humble pantry staples transform into something so dreamy! Each ingredient lends bold flavor, creamy texture, and a gorgeous burst of color—making every forkful something special.
- Olive Oil: Sautéing the chicken in olive oil adds a subtle richness right from the start and helps everything brown beautifully.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken: Cut into bite-sized pieces, chicken soaks up the creamy sauce and cooks quickly in the pressure cooker.
- Minced Garlic: Just two cloves intensify the savory aroma and depth throughout the dish.
- Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth: This forms the pasta’s cooking liquid, infusing every piece with extra flavor, while letting you control the saltiness.
- Penne Pasta: Its tubular shape holds on to the creamy sauce, but any similarly sturdy pasta shape will do the trick!
- Dried Italian Seasoning: Enhances the entire dish with classic herbaceous notes—think oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
- Paprika: Adds a gentle warmth and a hint of color.
- Black Pepper: For a touch of mild heat and balance.
- Parmesan Cheese (Freshly Grated): Melts seamlessly into the sauce, delivering that signature salty, nutty punch.
- Heavy Cream: A must for a rich, luscious sauce that coats every bite.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Their concentrated flavor and chewy texture set this pasta apart—don’t skip these!
- Fresh Spinach: Tossed in at the end, spinach wilts into the creamy sauce and adds a vibrant pop of green.
- Fresh Basil: Finish your pasta with a sprinkle for a fragrant, herby flourish.
Variations
This Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is as forgiving as it is delicious. Feel free to make it your own with a few swaps or add-ins—here’s how you can make it fit your mood, dietary needs, or whatever’s in your fridge tonight.
- Make It Lighter: Swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or whole milk for a sauce that’s a little less rich but every bit as creamy.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute your favorite gluten-free penne and double-check your broth to keep things entirely wheat-free.
- Go Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with white beans or sautéed mushrooms for a deeply satisfying meatless main course.
- Add More Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or peas can be stirred in after pressure cooking for extra color and nutrition.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes added with the Italian seasoning gives the sauce a gentle kick.
How to Make Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken and Garlic
Start by setting your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and wait until it reads “hot.” Pour in the olive oil, then add the diced chicken pieces, stirring until they just begin to brown—about 2-3 minutes. Next, toss in the minced garlic, stirring constantly to ensure it doesn’t burn but releases all its fragrant goodness in about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Deglaze and Layer In the Flavors
Pour in just ½ cup of the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to gently scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This step is crucial—it prevents the dreaded “burn” warning and captures all that flavor. Add the remaining chicken broth and uncooked penne pasta, then sprinkle the Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper evenly on top. Don’t stir at this point; you want the pasta layered mostly under the liquid for even cooking.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
Snap the lid on, set the pressure release valve to sealing, and select Manual High Pressure for 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come up to pressure. Once the timer beeps, do a quick release by carefully turning the valve to venting. When all the steam is released, open the lid and let the savory aroma fill your kitchen!
Step 4: Add Cheese, Cream, and Veggies
Now for the dreamy part! Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan and stir until it melts into the pasta and sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and continue stirring—don’t worry if it looks soupy at first; it thickens as it sits. Finally, fold in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Gently stir just until the spinach wilts and everything is beautifully combined. Top with basil, and it’s ready to serve.
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Sauté for Flavor: Don’t rush the browning step—getting golden edges on your chicken at the start builds delicious flavor in the finished pasta.
- Layer, Don’t Stir: After adding the pasta and seasoning, resist the urge to stir! Layering keeps the noodles from sticking and ensures even cooking in your Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
- Quality Parmesan Matters: Freshly grated Parmesan melts silkily into the sauce. Pre-grated can clump, so grate it yourself if you can!
- Creamy Sauce Fix: If your sauce seems thin right after cooking, just let the pasta rest for a few minutes—it thickens up as it cools.
How to Serve Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Garnishes
A flourish of fresh basil or a little more grated Parmesan really amplifies the flavor and makes Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta look as irresistible as it tastes. If you want to add a gentle kick, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of quality olive oil right before serving is perfection.
Side Dishes
This pasta is rich and hearty but absolutely shines with a fresh side. Try pairing with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or some oven-roasted asparagus. And, of course, you can never go wrong with warm, crusty bread for mopping up any extra sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a wow-worthy presentation, serve Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta in shallow bowls, swirl each portion, and top with a little twirl of basil ribbons. For gatherings, you can transfer the creamy pasta to a big serving platter, scatter extra sun-dried tomatoes and spinach leaves on top, and place it center-stage for everyone to help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta are pure gold for speedy lunches or quick dinners. Store any remaining pasta in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making tomorrow’s meal somehow even better.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze this pasta, let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep beautifully for up to 2 months. Just be mindful that the sauce may thicken after freezing—add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to revive its creamy texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a bit of cream or chicken broth to loosen the sauce. The microwave works, too—use medium power and stir occasionally for the creamiest results. Keep an eye out so the sauce doesn’t separate!
FAQs
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Can I use a different cut of chicken for Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Absolutely! While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a classic choice for this dish, boneless skinless thighs work equally well and add extra juiciness to the finished pasta. Just chop them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
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What’s the best pasta shape to use?
Penne is my go-to for Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta, but rigatoni, rotini, or even fusilli will work wonderfully. The key is to use something sturdy that can stand up to pressure cooking without falling apart or getting mushy.
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Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative and substitute the cream with full-fat coconut milk or an oat-based coffee creamer. The flavor will be a little different but still deliciously creamy and comforting.
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My sauce looks thin—will it thicken?
It sure will! Just let the Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta sit, uncovered, for a few minutes after you stir in the cream and Parmesan. The pasta continues to absorb the sauce as it cools and thickens up to that perfect creamy consistency.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a true “wow” dinner that comes together fast and feels like a warm hug on a plate, Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is your new go-to recipe. I hope you’ll gather your favorite people, pour a little extra Parmesan, and savor every creamy, sun-dried-tomato-studded bite. Give it a try—it might just become the meal your family requests again and again!
Print
Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful one-pot meal that’s perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. Tender chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach come together in a rich parmesan cream sauce. It’s a dish that will have your family asking for seconds!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Pasta:
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 16 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on sauté mode. Cook chicken until browned. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Cook the Pasta: Pour in ½ cup chicken broth to deglaze the pot. Add remaining broth, pasta, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Close and lock the lid. Pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
- Finish the Dish: Release pressure, then stir in parmesan until melted. Add cream, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve garnished with basil.
Notes
- Chicken broth: Opt for reduced-sodium broth to control salt levels.
- Pasta: Use your preferred pasta shape.
- Cream: Substitute with half-and-half or milk for a lighter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
