This Instant Pot Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is a wonderful meal that your whole family is going to love. Easy, affordable, and delicious - this was a hit when Emilee made it for her family! Since I am no longer eating meat, she has been helping me create great Weight Watchers recipes for you, and this is one of her latest!
Instant Pot Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
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One of my favorite things to make has always been a simple pasta dish. Just because you are eating healthier and following Weight Watchers SmartPoints plan doesn't mean you can't enjoy pasta. This recipe shows you just how delicious you can make mealtime while still staying within your points plan! Plus, this is an excellent Instant Pot recipe to impress anyone who wonders if an Instant Pot is a good investment. I love my Instant Pot Duo60.
Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
16oz box penne pasta
2 cups chicken stock (or water)
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
½ red onion, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (can use equivalent garlic powder if you prefer)
2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
1 cup low-fat part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup fat-free cream cheese
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Pasta
Add all ingredients to Instant Pot liner, except for cheeses.
Mix well so that pasta is covered in liquid and everything is well combined. (This means that everything has been coated, but not that it is floating in water. So, stick with just the 2 cup measurement)
Place lid and set to seal.
Set to high pressure (manual) for 9 minutes. Once done, allow to NPR (natural pressure release) for 5 minutes.
Once pressure has released, remove the lid and stir in cheeses until well combined and melted.
Serve with additional Parmesan or parsley as desired.
How Many WW Points Are There Per Serving?
You can verify your own PersonalPoints via the recipe in the WW app HERE.
- PersonalPoints: 2-10
- BLUE: 4
- GREEN: 5
- PURPLE: 2
- SmartPoints: 8
- Points Plus: 10
Instant Pot Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe
A delicious and easy Instant Pot Italian creamy chicken pasta is a perfect weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 16oz whole wheat box penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 2 Plum tomatoes, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (can use equivalent garlic powder if you prefer)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
- 1 cup low-fat part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup fat-free cream cheese
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to Instant Pot liner, except for cheeses.
- Mix well so that pasta is covered in liquid and everything is well combined.
- Place lid and set to seal.
- Set to high pressure (manual) for 9 minutes. Once done, allow to NPR (natural pressure release) for 5 minutes.
- Once pressure has released, remove the lid and stir in cheeses until well combined and melted.
- Serve with additional Parmesan or parsley as desired.
Notes
You can verify your own PersonalPoints via the recipe in the WW app HERE.
- PersonalPoints: 2-10
- BLUE: 4
- GREEN: 5
- PURPLE: 2
- SmartPoints: 8
- Points Plus: 10
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 360Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 507mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 8gSugar: 3gProtein: 36g
Alternate Stovetop Cooking Method:
This could also be cooked easily on the stove top if you prefer. To cook on the stove top, you would need to cook the pasta on the stove top according to package directions. Next, you would add a bit of oil to a large stockpot, cook the vegetables and chicken until done, then combine with already cooked pasta and cheese.
This easy Instant Pot Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta is a great meal that is super kid-friendly. Make this and portion out for your lunches to stay on track with your Weight Watchers diet plan, or divide up and enjoy a family meal that everyone loves. Pasta is a great easy meal that can add to your meal plan with just a few minutes prep work!
More Weight Watchers Recipes:
- Instant Pot Eggroll in a Bowl
- Best Pot Roast Recipe for Instant Pot
- Chicken and Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe
- Instant Pot Roasted Chicken Breast and Vegetables
- 35 Easy Weight Watchers Soup Recipes
- Weight Watchers SmartPoints Meal Plan
- Weight Watchers Recipes Freestyle
- Weight Watchers Breakfasts Menu
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Mallory M
Is the chicken cooked or raw when you put it in the instant pot?
Katie
The chicken is raw when placed in the Instant Pot.
Jessica Dodt-Escobar
Can you use frozen chicken? If so, how much longer should I cook it?
Katie
You can use frozen. I would add an additional 5 minutes for frozen.
Claire
I tried this recipe tonight and it was fantastic; however, I put all the ingredients in to the WW recipe builder and it came out to 8SP using Freestyle. Any thoughts? Was there a specific lower SP pasta you used?
Thanks!
Katie
Hi Claire, I use Simple Truth Organic Whole Wheat pasta. It is 5 points for 3/4 cup cooked. That ends up being a little more than what is in each serving of this dish. Various brands do make a difference on pasta. You might also look at Carba Nada as a great option for 3-4 SP per serving 🙂
AJ
If you use Carba Nada, can you still leave it in for 9 minutes?
Lisa
Is the pasta totally covered with the chicken broth? and what size Instant Pot were you using?
Katie
It would depend on the type of pasta you use, but it will be covered with ingredients. I use a 6 quart IP.
Torrey Pine
Tried this tonight and had to add 3 cups of water in order for the pasta to be covered. The chicken and pasta were terribly over cooked. I used a 6 qt. IP and there definitely was a lot of pasta, but it was not delicious. I want this recipe to work, but I don’t know how to fix it.
Katie
Perhaps the instructions are not clear for you. You are to use 2 cups water and make sure it is well mixed. You don't need it to be covered, just wet/coated in the water/broth. I have made this several times and we enjoyed it. Perhaps it just isn't a flavor profile your family enjoys?
Sheila
Do you think I can seat the chicks some before cooking all together?
Katie
If you wanted to sear them that would be fine.
Julie
Tried this tonight and it was delicious! However, the bottom burned in the instant pot? Any ideas why? This was my first recipe in my new instant pot:)
Katie
Usually not enough liquid is an indicator if it burns. Perhaps add a bit of extra liquid first then mix and add remaining?
Leesa
When you say “Italian seasonings,” are you talking about like a dressing packet, a spice bottle of Italian seasonings, Italian salt, etc.? I JUST got my pot delivered and I want this soooo bad!
Katie
A spice bottle Italian Seasonsings blend
Kelly
Made this tonight following the directions carefully as I'm new to the pressure cooker but my noodles didn't fully cook. I used whole wheat pasta though, maybe that's why? Just stirred it up & set it for an additional 5 min, hoping that works as it smells amazing!
Mary Anne
This doesn't specify if the cubed chicken is cooked or raw. Which is it?
Katie
Cubed raw chicken 🙂
Nancy
My pasta wasn't either done enough or too done, even after not adding the whole 16 oz of pasta. I will add more chicken broth and more seasoning next time. Will give it a second try.
Katie
Can this be halved?
Katie
You sure can! Just adjust as needed 🙂
Elizabeth Rayl
Can this be cooked in a slow cooker? If so what would you do differently?
Katie
I have not made this in the slow cooker, so I cannot say if it would work or not. I will do a test to see 🙂
Bobbie
So the diced roma tomatoes go into to pot? They aren't just a garnish for the finished product?
Katie
They go in the pot. 🙂
MG
Made this tonight and followed the directions EXACTLY. The bottom burned, some of the past is done some is not. I am now trying to salvage dinner(and my Instant Pot insert).
Katie
I am sorry you had a bad experience with this recipe. We've made this several times with no issues.
Chris
Exact same outcome. Some of the chicken is not cooked. Total loss. For some reason the lowest I can rate this is two stars.
Joe Froese
It would be awesome to have all the nutritional details so I can enter it into my Weight Watchers app
Katie
The most accurate way to calculate a recipe in the WW app is to use the Recipe Builder. If you enter the nutritional information when it includes zero point items (like chicken), it will come up much higher points 🙂
Sasha
I just put this in the WW app and it came out to 4 sp. I feel like I’m missing something.
Katie
The points depend on the ingredients used. Some pasta is higher in points than others. I would double check and make sure you are listing the correct number of servings and/or the correct pasta YOU are using 🙂
Clare
I’m from the U.K. any chance you can include UK versions of weights and measurements? The instant pot is hugely popular over here and there’s always a need for delicious WW recipes for the pot. Thank you in advance
Katie
Currently, we aren't providing this, but we will take it under consideration.
Shauna
Tried making this pasta. It did taste delicious, but there was a lot of liquid left in the pot. Is the sauce supposed to be thick?
Katie
The sauce should be thicker. Some elevations require less liquid than others. I am sorry it didn't turn out as expected!
Sara SJ
Any chance you could include the nutrition info? My wife is following Weight Watchers but I am tracking macros. I can figure it out. Just might be easier if it is listed 🙂
Thank you!
Karen
I’ve never used my IP. Do I need to adjust this recipe in any way of mine is an 8qt?
Katie
No, it should be fine as is for an 8 quart 🙂
Katie
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah
I have only ever done a quick release when using the instant pot, after 5 minutes of natural pressure release, do I just open the lid?
Leanne
Can portions of your instant pot weight watchers meals be frozen for another time and reheated when cooking for one?
Jenny r
Wondering the same thing....