Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is a perfectly creamy and delicious pasta dish that is easy to make at home. Perfectly cooked noodles, chicken, and broccoli are tossed in a creamy and delicious homemade Alfredo Sauce. This is a comforting meal perfect for any family dinner.

a creamy bowl of chicken broccoli alfredo pasta
SAVE THIS RECIPE

Do you find yourself searching for a new pasta recipe to serve your family? Do you want something homemade that tastes amazing but is not too complicated? If so, I have just the dish for you! This Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo will be sure to please everyone in your home. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare and will be on the table in about 30 minutes.

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I have to admit that this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is the creamiest, most delicious pasta dish ever. And, what’s better than a comforting, homemade meal that’s not difficult to make? Your entire family will enjoy this one – even the pickiest eaters in your home. I hope your family loves this delicious pasta dish as much as my family does.

The Best Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

I’m a huge fan of pasta and I am addicted to coming up with delicious and easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes. One of my favorite pasta recipes so far has been this Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini. It’s amazing!

Well, this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is right up there with it!

a plate of chicken broccoli alfredo with fettucine

Making pasta in the Instant Pot is super easy. You only have one pot to clean when all is said and done. No need for straining! If you’re ever making just plain pasta and have heard about it possibly making a mess, then check out my trick for avoiding a mess! It works great!

What Ingredients Do I Need for Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo?

This pasta recipe calls for a fair number of ingredients, but they’re all common ingredients. You will likely have most of them in your pantry or refrigerator. And for those that you may be missing, they can be quickly grabbed at the supermarket. Here is the full list of what you’ll need:

  • Chicken Breasts: The chicken breasts are brined, cut into bite-sized pieces, and then sautéed and seasoned with the garlic powder and salt.
  • Olive Oil: The chicken is sautéed in olive oil. Make sure to use a variety that is made specifically for sautéing and cooking.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Kosher Salt
  • Linguine Pasta: I used linguine noodles in the recipe but any long pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti will work perfectly.
  • Unsalted Chicken Stock: I prefer to use Kitchen Basics All Natural Unsalted Chicken Stock. It has great flavor and allows me to control how much salt is going into my dish.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich creaminess to this pasta dish.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: The higher fat content of heavy whipping cream will yield an extra rich and creamy Alfredo sauce.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Used for thickening the Alfredo sauce.
  • Better than Bouillon: The Better than Bouillon adds some wonderful flavor to the Alfredo sauce. I like to use the roasted garlic flavor for this recipe but the roasted chicken flavor is also great.
  • Ground White Pepper: Adds a touch of spice to the Alfredo sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan tastes great on everything! It adds a wonderful savoriness to this dish that is unbeatable.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella adds the perfect amount of cheesiness.
  • Cream Cheese: To make this the creamiest Alfredo pasta ever, we have to add some cream cheese.
  • Broccoli Florets: Finally, you’ll need some cooked broccoli florets. You can use my easy recipe for Zero Minute Instant Pot Broccoli and make it ahead of time.

That’s all of them! All simple ingredients.

a pile of chicken cut into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board next to a knife

Substitutions for Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

I always get questions about substituting items in recipes. Below are the ones that you’re probably going to ask me so I’ve gone ahead and answered them for you. If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comments.

WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF CHICKEN BREASTS?

You could use any pre-cooked chicken including, shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even breaded chicken pieces or chicken nuggets. If you’re looking for something other than chicken, then chunk tuna would be a good option. You can never go wrong with shrimp either. Plus, you always have the option to just leave the chicken out.

DO I HAVE TO USE LINGUINE PASTA?

Not at all. You could use any pasta that you prefer. However, different kinds of pasta may require different cook times in the Instant Pot. If you don’t want to have to adjust the cooking time, then pasta such as spaghetti or fettuccine would be a perfect substitution.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM?

Yes, you can, but the pasta won’t be nearly as rich or creamy. The best substitutes for the heavy cream would be half-and-half or whole milk.

CAN I USE BOUILLON CUBES?

Yes, you can use 2 bouillon cubes in place of the 2 teaspoons of Better than Bouillon.

DO I HAVE TO BRINE THE CHICKEN?

No, you do not. I highly recommend you do because it will give you more tender and juicy pieces of chicken, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step. Either way, make sure to pat the chicken dry before sautéing it.

creamy plate of homemade chicken broccoli alfredo

How To Cook Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli

If you add the broccoli before closing the Instant Pot and end up pressure cooking it with the pasta, then it will be overcooked. The trick to cooking this alfredo pasta dish without overcooking the broccoli is to steam the broccoli separately and then wait to add it after the pasta has finished cooking. Once you’ve opened the pot, mix the pre-cooked broccoli into the already cooked pasta.

How To Reheat Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

If you have stored your leftover chicken and broccoli alfredo in the refrigerator and would like to reheat it the following day, I recommend adding one serving to a bowl along with two tablespoons to one-quarter cup of whole milk. Cover the bowl and reheat in the microwave on half power until heated through, mixing every minute or so.

What Sides Go With Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

A fresh tossed salad topped with your favorite garden vegetables and salad dressing is always a great side for any pasta dish. Any Italian or French bread served with herb-infused olive oil is also perfect. Make sure to try my homemade garlic bread as well.

Essential Items

Here are some essential prep tools, utensils, and appliances I used to make this recipe.

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Featured Items

Here is a list of the products featured in this post or products similar to those featured in this post:

28 Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories

Make sure to check out my Ultimate List of Instant Pot Accessories! I’ve included everything you could ever need to help make your pressure cooking quicker, easier, and even more convenient.

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Alfredo in the Instant Pot

This Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is outstanding! And, while it’s very easy to make, it does have a few steps. Follow them and you will have the most rich, creamy, and flavorful Alfredo pasta dish ever!

Gather The Ingredients

This recipe for Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo is made in the Instant Pot pressure cooker and includes bite-sized pieces of seasoned chicken and tender broccoli florets tossed in long pasta and then smothered in a homemade, creamy alfredo sauce and lots of delicious cheeses!  Here are the simple ingredients you will need to make this easy recipe:

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts cut into small bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 pound linguine pasta
  • 3 ½ cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons roasted chicken Better than Bouillon
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1 stick unsalted butter cut into small pieces and softened
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cut into small cubes and softened
  • 1 pound cooked broccoli florets

Step 1: Brine the Chicken

I really like to brine the chicken before cooking it by letting it soak in a mixture of salt and warm water for 15 minutes or so.  It makes the chicken so much more tender. I explain in the recipe card below exactly how to brine the chicken breasts but this part is optional if you want to make a faster meal.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

You will need to pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Then, trim away any extra fat and cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Sauté the Chicken

Turn on the ‘Sauté’ feature and, using the ‘Adjust’ button, adjust the heat level to ‘More’. Once the digital display reads ‘Hot’, add the olive oil to the pot. Allow the olive oil to get hot and then add the chicken. Toss the chicken until it’s coated in the oil and then sauté, tossing it occasionally, until it’s cooked white on all sides. This will take about 8 minutes.

Step 4: Season the Chicken

Once the chicken is ready, add the garlic powder and salt to the pot. Toss the chicken to fully coat it in the seasonings and sauté for another 30 seconds to let it cook in the seasonings. Now press ‘Cancel’ to turn off the ‘Sauté’ function.

Step 5: Add the Pasta to the Pot

Break the linguine in half and add it to the pot, layering it over the chicken. Pour in the chicken stock over the pasta.

Step 6: Cook the Pasta

Now it’s time to start cooking the pasta and chicken. Move the pressure release valve to ‘Sealing’, select the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ button and set the Instant Pot to cook on ‘High Pressure’ for 9 minutes. While the pasta is cooking you’ll prepare the Alfredo Sauce.

Step 7: Prepare the Alfredo Sauce

In a bowl, whisk the flour into half a cup of the cream until smooth. Next, add the Better than Bouillon and pepper and whisk together. Finally, whisk in the remaining cream until you have a smooth sauce.

Step 8: Release the Pressure

When the pasta is finished cooking, allow for a 2-minute Natural Pressure Release. After that, release the remaining pressure and when the pin drops, open your pot. Leave it on ‘Keep Warm’.

Step 9: Add the Butter

Add the butter and mix the pasta and chicken together until the butter has fully melted.

Step 10: Add the Alfredo Sauce and Cheeses

Add the Alfredo sauce and cheeses and mix until the cheeses are melted.

Step 11: Add the Broccoli

Finally, add the cooked broccoli and gently toss it into the pasta. Let the pasta sit in the pot for another 5 to 10 minutes to allow the Alfredo sauce to thicken. Continue to gently toss the pasta occasionally and once the sauce has reached your desired consistency, you can press the ‘Cancel’ button to turn the pot off.

Enjoy Your Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo!!!

This pasta is so rich and creamy and the taste is just spectacular. It’s just as good as anything you can get at an Italian restaurant. My family absolutely loves this recipe for Pressure Cooker Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and I know you and your family will LOVE it too!

a plate of chicken and broccoli alfredo

IT’S YOUR TURN TO MAKE THIS WONDERFUL PASTA ALFREDO RECIPE!

Did you make this Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe yet? This is an absolutely amazing pasta dish! It takes a little more work than most of my recipes, but it is so worth it. I know you will absolutely love it! Please drop a comment in the comments section below when you make this pasta recipe and let me know much you enjoyed it.

5-Star Rating: If you loved this Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, I’d appreciate it if you could give this recipe a 5-star rating to show how much you loved it.

MORE DELICIOUS PASTA RECIPES

Looking for another pasta dish? Here are more recipes that I know you’ll love:

For a full list of all my Instant Pot Pasta Recipes, check out my Instant Pot Pasta Recipes post.

Need a side to pair with your pasta? If you’re looking for a perfect complement for this recipe, then try my Homemade Garlic Bread! It’s absolutely amazing!

Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

LINGUINE PASTA, TENDER CHICKEN, AND BROCCOLI IN A CREAMY ALFREDO SAUCE

4.52 from 43 votes
Servings
8
DifficultyModerate
Cooking Method(s)
  • Pressure Cooking
Pressure LevelHigh
Program SettingManual / Pressure Cook
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
18 minutes
NPR
2 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Recipe by: Valerie Cooper
This Instant Pot pasta recipe is wonderfully delicious and features a homemade Alfredo sauce that’s unforgettably rich, creamy, and flavorful. Plus, this pasta dish is ready in about 30 minutes making it a perfect weeknight option.
a creamy bowl of chicken broccoli alfredo pasta

Essential Equipment

  • instant pot

Ingredients

for the Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts 3 to 4 breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt or to taste

for the Pasta

for the Alfredo Sauce

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream room temperature, divided
  • 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsps Better than Bouillon roasted garlic or roasted chicken flavor
  • ½ tsp ground white pepper or to taste

to add After Cooking

  • ½ cup butter (unsalted) 1 stick, cut into small pieces and softened
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese cut into small cubes and softened
  • 1 lb broccoli florets cooked

Instructions

  • Set out the heavy whipping cream, butter, and cream cheese to warm and soften.

prepare the Chicken Breasts

  • Brine Chicken Breasts (Optional): For best results, make a brine by filling a large bowl with one quart of warm water and adding a ¼ cup of kosher salt to the water then mixing until the salt is fully dissolved. Place the chicken breasts in the brine and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare Chicken Breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Trim any fat, and cut the breasts into small bite-sized pieces no wider than ½”.
  • Sauté Chicken: Turn the Instant Pot on ‘Sauté’ and adjust the heat level to ‘More’. Allow the pot to heat up until the display reads ‘Hot’. Add the olive oil to the pot and allow it to heat up. Add the chicken to the pot and toss until thoroughly coated in the oil. Spread in an even layer across the bottom and sauté, tossing occasionally, until cooked white on all sides. About 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Season Chicken: Add the garlic powder and salt to the pot and toss into the chicken to fully coat. Cook for another 30 seconds, tossing as the chicken cooks in the seasonings. Cancel ‘Sauté’ and deglaze the bottom of the pot.

add the Pasta and Stock

  • Break the pasta in half and add to the pot, spreading evenly over the chicken. Pour the chicken stock into the pot over the pasta.

set the Cooking Time

  • Cook for 9-Minutes: Close the Instant Pot, adjust the pressure release valve to ‘Sealing’ and set the pot to cook on ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’, ‘High Pressure’ for 9 minutes.
  • Prepare Alfredo Sauce: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the Alfredo sauce. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, gradually whisk the flour into a ½ cup of the heavy cream until a smooth paste is formed. Add the Better than Bouillon and white pepper and whisk until smooth. Then add the remaining heavy cream and gently whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • 2-Minute NPR: Once the cooking time has finished, allow for a 2 minute NPR (natural pressure release) and then release any remaining pressure. After the pressure has been released and the pin has dropped, open the pot. Leave on ‘Keep Warm’.

After Cooking

  • Add Butter: Add the butter and, using a large spoon, mix the pasta and chicken with the butter until it has fully melted.
  • Add Alfredo Sauce & Cheeses: Add the Alfredo sauce, parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese to the pot. Mix into the pasta until the cheeses fully melt.
  • Add Broccoli: Add the cooked broccoli and gently toss into the pasta.
  • Allow to Thicken: Allow the pasta to sit in the pot on ‘Keep Warm’ for 5 to 10 minutes to let the Alfredo sauce thicken. Gently toss every couple of minutes. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness, press ‘Cancel’.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 866kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 224mg | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 939mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2034IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 331mg | Iron: 2mg

Notes

Thinning the Alfredo sauce. If the Alfredo sauce ends up thickening too much and you wish to thin it, gradually add whole milk, a little at a time, mixing it in until the pasta reaches the consistency that you desire.

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13 thoughts on “Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Alfredo”

  1. I followed this recipe to a T and once the IP was done on high pressure, half of the noodles were hard while the other half were mushy…

    1. Hi Kim! I’m sorry to hear this happened to you. It could be a number of things. It’s possible your pot did not come to pressure even if it counted down. Sometimes this happens if the seal is on wrong. Could also be not enough liquid or the type of pasta used. It’s hard to tell a definite cause.

  2. Hi Valerie! I’m super excited to make this alfredo, but I’m scared about the 3.5 cups of water. I’m new to using an IP to cook and so far everything has come out extremely watery washing off all my seasoning from the chicken. I’m also using a 6QT instant pot.

  3. In step 4 of the chicken preparation you say to deglaze the pot. How do you expect to do that with the chicken still in the pot and with what liquid?

    1. Hi Becca! The chicken will release plenty of liquid for you to be able to deglaze the pot, which is simply scraping the bottom to get any stuck bits off. With the chicken in the pot just scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon or spatula and you’re set. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by!

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