Instant Pot Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce
Still perfecting my use of the Instant Pot!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1 lb. chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 5 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 can (14.5 fluid ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 package (1 pound) penne pasta
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded plus more for serving
- 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning
Directions
- Add chicken, paprika and Italian seasoning to a Ziploc bag and toss to combine. Set aside.
- Select Sauté and add the bacon to the pressure cooking pot. Fry for about 5 minutes until crisp, stirring frequently. Transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
- Add the butter to the pressure cooking pot. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute. Add the chicken to the pressure cooking pot and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the chicken broth and deglaze the pot if necessary. Add the pasta and stir to combine. Add enough water to cover the pasta, about 3 cups. Lock the lid in place.
- Select High Pressure and 1 minute cook time. When the cook time ends, turn off the pressure cooker. Use a quick pressure release, or if necessary, use an intermittent release to prevent liquid from coming out of the valve.
- When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid. Stir the mixture and taste penne for doneness. If needed, select Simmer/Sauté and cook for a few minutes more, stirring often, until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the half and half and Parmesan a little at a time until cheese melts. Stir in the bacon, spinach, and grape tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Source: pressurecookingtoday.com