Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy and spicy pasta dish that makes for an easy weeknight dinner. This family friendly dinner idea can be ready in about 40 minutes!
This Instant Pot chicken recipe is a family favorite in our household. What more could you ask for in an easy meal, than pasta, chicken and a flavorful creamy sauce?
Why the Instant Pot?
When you are cooking under pressure, your cooking times are shorter. A shorter cooking time actually helps keep more vitamins and minerals in your food, this is why I have fallen in love with pressure cooking!
Pressure cooking also gives your food a better flavor. When you are using an Instant Pot not only does your food have more flavor, and more vitamins and minerals, but I also find that it stays creamier because the pressure cooker seals the moisture in.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is filled with spicy cajun flavors, along with a rich and creamy sauce. It’s a family favorite recipe!
- Easy to make
- One Pot Meal
- Fills the house with a delicious aroma
If you like this Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta you will also like this Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe.
Want to give your pressure cooker the night off? Try this Cajun Chicken Broccoli Alfredo instead.
Ingredients
For this delicious Instant Pot chicken recipe you only need a handful of kitchen staples. With this tasty meal you might not even have to make a run to the grocery store!
- penne pasta
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Cajun seasoning
- butter (divided)
- half and half
- lemon zest
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- Tomatoes (diced)
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
Substitutions
Heavy Whipping Cream: Out of half and half? Use heavy whipping cream instead for an even creamier sauce.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you like your food spicy, add in a half teaspoon of red pepper flakes for an added kick.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
You only need three or four simple tools to get this delicious pasta dish ready for your family.
- Instant Pot
- Wooden Spoon
- Colander
- Large Skillet (if you are planning to sauté your chicken)
How to Make Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
This recipe comes together in about 40 minutes and with only 5 easy steps!
Step 1: Cook your pasta
Place the penne pasta in the instant pot and fill with enough water to cover the noodles. Close the lid and seal your lid by pushing the valve away from you. Set to high pressure for 8 minutes.
Step 2: Drain your pasta
Once your cook time is complete, do a quick release by bringing the valve toward you to open the pressure. Drain your noodles and place in a separate bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the chicken
You can choose how you want to cook your chicken:
Option 1: On the side in the skillet while your pasta is cooking. Season your chicken with the Cajun seasoning.
Option 2: In the instant pot after you are done cooking your pasta. Set to sauté mode. Add 4 tablespoons of oil (enough to cover the center of your pot). Season with your Cajun seasoning and slice your chicken into strips and sauté (or cook whole, then slice later). Cook until the inside of your chicken reaches 165°.
Option 3: You can also pressure cook your chicken whole by placing the trivet inside, adding 1 cup of water, and placing your seasoned chicken (sprinkle with Cajun seasoning) on the trivet. Close lid as well as sealing valve. Set to High Pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release when done. Remove water.
Step 4: Make your sauce for your pasta
Place your instant pot on sauté mode. Add in your butter, half-and-half, lemon zest, pepper, salt, and garlic powder to your pot. Continue to stir until it starts to bubble.
Step 5: Mix your pasta and sauce
Add your pasta to your pot and sauce and then mix well. Transfer your pasta to your serving dish. Top with a few strips of chicken, diced tomatoes, and as much Parmesan cheese as you want! Enjoy!
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Looking for ideas to change up this recipe and make it your own? I’ve got some suggestions for you!
Cajun Seasoning: Don’t like spicy foods? Reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning by half for less of a spice kick.
Shrimp: Don’t like chicken? Use shrimp instead!
Andouille Sausage: Make this dish entirely new by adding in andouille sausage for more Cajun flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Looking for a way to serve up this spicy pasta recipe? Here’s how I like to serve mine!
I serve my Instant Pot Cajun Chicken pasta with a side salad, and garlic bread. If I’m feeling extra adventurous I may even make some cheese biscuits to go with this meal.
FAQs
Store Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat in the microwave on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes or until your pasta is completely warm.
Absolutely, as long as your Instant Pot is large enough to hold extra pasta and water, you don’t even need to add extra time.
More Instant Pot Recipes
If you like cooking in the Instant Pot, give these recipes a try:
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Instant Pot Chocolate Cheesecake
- Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini
- Instant Pot Italian Sausage Rigatoni
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
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📋 Recipe
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 10 ounces penne pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 4 Tablespoons butter divided
- 3 cups half and half
- 1/8 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Tomatoes diced
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Pasta
- Place the penne pasta in the instant pot and fill with enough water to cover the noodles. Close the lid and seal your lid by pushing the valve away from you. Set to high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once your cook time is complete, do a quick release by bringing the valve toward you to open the pressure.
- Drain your noodles and place in a separate bowl. Set aside.
Chicken
- You can choose to cook your chicken:
- On the side in the skillet while your pasta is cooking. Season your chicken with the Cajun seasoning.
- In the instant pot after you are done cooking your pasta. Set to sauté mode. Add 4 tablespoons of oil (enough to cover the center of your pot). Season with your Cajun seasoning and slice your chicken into strips and sauté (or cook whole, then slice later). Cook until the inside of your chicken reaches 165°.
- You can also pressure cook your chicken whole by placing the trivet inside, adding 1 cup of water, and placing your seasoned chicken (sprinkle with Cajun seasoning) on the trivet. Close lid as well as sealing valve. Set to High Pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release when done. Remove water.
Sauce
- Continue to keep your instant pot on sauté mode. Add in your butter, half-and-half, lemon zest, pepper, salt, and garlic powder to your pot. Continue to stir until it starts to bubble.
- Add your pasta to your pot and sauce. Mix well.
- Transfer your pasta to your serving dish. Top with a few strips of chicken, diced tomatoes, and as much Parmesan cheese as you want! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
