Instant Pot Ranch Chicken Pasta
One-pot creamy ranch chicken pasta made fast in the Instant Pot—tender chicken, penne or rotini, and a cheesy ranch sauce.
Equipment
- Instant Pot (6-quart or larger)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Tongs
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- Colander
- Small whisk
- Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix or ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté and heat olive oil. Lightly brown chicken with onion powder and garlic.
- Stir in ranch mix and chicken broth. Add pasta on top; do not stir—press to submerge.
- Seal and pressure cook on High for 5 minutes. Quick release pressure.
- Stir in cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon until melted and creamy. Rest a few minutes to thicken, then serve.
Notes
Use thighs for extra tenderness. Swap rotini for more sauce clinging. If sauce is too thick, loosen with warm broth. Stir in steamed broccoli or peas after cooking for veggies.
Nutrition
Calories: 540kcal | Protein: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 900mg