Description
Creamy marry me chicken pasta seduces taste buds with Italian-inspired flavors that promise culinary romance. Tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese meld perfectly in this quick, irresistible one-pot wonder you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Starches and Pasta:
- 16 ounces uncooked penne pasta
Herbs, Spices, and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- Optional garnish: Fresh basil
Instructions
- Warm the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil, creating a golden surface for the chicken to develop rich caramelization within 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the chicken, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom for 30 seconds while releasing fragrant notes.
- Splash chicken broth into the pot, expertly loosening any concentrated flavor fragments clinging to the bottom using a wooden spoon.
- Strategically construct layers by adding remaining broth, positioning pasta atop the liquid without disturbing the arrangement, then sprinkle Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper across the surface.
- Secure the lid, engage the sealing valve, and activate high-pressure cooking for precisely 4 minutes to transform ingredients into a harmonious dish.
- Execute a swift pressure release by carefully transitioning the valve to venting position, allowing immediate steam dissipation.
- Unveil the pot and integrate Parmesan cheese, watching it melt into a luxurious texture, then introduce heavy cream for enhanced silkiness.
- Fold sun-dried tomatoes and spinach into the pasta, creating vibrant color and additional nutritional complexity.
- Embellish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Perfectly Brown Chicken: Pat the chicken dry before sautéing to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in maximum flavor without steaming.
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Layer pasta on top of liquid without stirring to create a barrier that prevents burning and ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a delicious vegan alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Quick Flavor Boost: Crush sun-dried tomatoes slightly before adding to release more intense, concentrated tomato flavor that elevates the entire pasta dish.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg