Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce

This Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce is perfect for days when you need a quick and easy meal with minimal ingredients. I’ve tested this with chicken, without chicken, with fettuccine and penne noodles, and with different amounts of water and broth added. Check out below the process and options you have to make the most creamy jarred alfredo pasta! I love using Private Selection’s alfredo sauce, but any brand will do!

If you like this, try my Homemade Hamburger Helper!

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The Ingredients

• Olive Oil
• Noodles– Penne or Fettuccine
• Water or Broth– I prefer water!
• Jarred Alfredo Sauce– I love Private Selection’s alfredo sauce, but any brand will do!
• Chicken– Thigh or Breast (optional!)

The Process

1. Cut, Season, and Sear Chicken

Start by turning on saute mode medium and cutting up your chicken breast or thigh into bite-sized pieces. Season to your liking. (I like Italian seasoning or cajun seasoning!) Add olive oil to the inner pot and when that heats up saute the chicken so it gets a sear but is still raw inside. (If you want to make this without chicken skip sauteing and go straight to adding your water/broth, you will still add 3 cups)

2. Deglaze

For Fettuccine

Remove the chicken and set aside, deglaze the pot with 1 cup of water/broth, then turn off saute and add the other 2 cups of water/broth.

For Penne

Add 1 cup of water/broth and deglaze the pot with the chicken still in the pot, turn off saute then add the other 2 cups of water/broth.

3. Add Noodles and Sauce

For Fettuccine

Break the fettuccine noodles in half and pour in while turning your hand clockwise (see photo), then add chicken on top and cover with the jar of Alfredo. The way the fettuccine noodles lay prevents them from sticking together!

For Penne

Pour the penne noodles in and stir so the chicken is not all sitting on the bottom, then cover with the jar of Alfredo covering as many noodles as possible.

4. Pressure Cook and Release

Add the lid and pressure cook for 3 minutes then let it natural-release for 5 minutes before releasing the pressure. Check out Inquiring Chef’s pasta post/graph to see my favorite way to calculate the time needed for Instant Pot pasta!

5. Stir and Allow to Thicken!

When the pressure has all been released, open the lid and it will look way too liquidy. If you’re tempted to add cheese or a thickening agent, DON’T! Trust the process, you need to let it sit for about 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. It thickens up and the sauce becomes SO creamy and delicious. If you want to add any cheese, cream, etc; add it after it has thickened so you don’t thicken it too much on accident.

6. Enjoy!

FAQ

It is so liquidy, what did I do wrong?

Most likely nothing! Did you let it sit for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally after you released the pressure? I tested with less liquid and although you don’t need to let it sit, it isn’t nearly as creamy, it’s lumpy. If it still isn’t coming together make sure you’re using the right amount of chicken. Since chicken releases liquid that could be the culprit. To fix this you can add parmesan, cream cheese, or a thickening agent like cornstarch.

What can I add to enhance the flavor?

If your Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo with Jar Sauce could use a little pick-me-up, try adding some spices and vegetables! I like adding Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. If I’m doing penne noodles I love adding peas, and if using fettuccine I like to add spinach or broccoli. Peas and spinach can be added at the end. Broccoli should be steamed before adding it at the end. If I’m in the mood for a real kick I will add andouille sausage and cajun seasoning!

Tools

• Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart

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The Recipe

AuthorPaige

RatingDifficultyBeginner