Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta

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This Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta is super easy to make and is packed with veggies. Full of flavour, saucy, and a family favourite, this kid-friendly pasta is sure to be a hit for you!

This is a saucy pesto pasta that I like to make when I feel like being hands-off. Everything is cooked in the Instant Pot and then the peas, spinach, and pesto get stirred in at the end. While I say parmesan is optional for those who want to keep things light, I highly suggest adding a ton of it because who doesn't love cheese?!

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Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
How To Make This Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
Recipes Variations
Tips and Notes
Recipe
More Recipes You May Like

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Recipe

It's easy. Everything into the pot, then set it to 7 minutes and walk away! Easy peasy.
It's easy to change up by swapping the vegetables to whatever you have on hand.
You can meal prep this pressure cooker pesto chicken as well! It holds up well in the fridge and reheats wonderfully.

Ingredients You'll Need

onions — a small yellow onion is all you need.
garlic — the more the merrier!
chicken thighs — I don't believe in trimming the fat off my thighs. They're staying put! You can swap for chicken breasts if you'd like something more lean.
dried basil
dried oregano
salt
pasta — I used a cavatappi pasta. I usually buy this pasta from Homesense but here's a similar one you can get online. Another pasta you can use is rotini.
vegetable or chicken stock
pesto — I'm using a store-bought pesto sauce. I love the one from Costco!
peas — frozen is what I use.
baby spinach — I like that baby spinach is more tender than large spinach.
parmesan — optional but I highly recommend adding!

How To Make This Instant Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta

Instant Pot with onions and minced garlic.

To the Instant Pot, layer in the onions, garlic, chicken thighs, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt.
Add in the pasta and vegetable stock, making sure that the pasta is covered with the stock. Do not mix.

Vegetable broth added to the Instant Pot.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set it to sealing, and then press the manual button, setting the pressure cooker to 7 minutes.
Once done, quick release the steam. If you have too much liquid, you are welcomed to drain it.
Add in the pesto sauce, peas, and baby spinach. Stir to combine.
Add in parmesan if using.

Recipes Variations

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to add some heat to this Instant Pot pesto pasta.

Tips and Notes

I usually have a littttle bit of extra liquid in the Instant Pot after cooking. However, I usually just add in the parmesan and it helps thicken the liquid into a saucy.
If you have too much liquid at the bottom of the pot, you can always turn on saute mode to simmer off the liquid. Turn off saute before adding the pesto.
Depending on what type of pesto you use, the way it coats your pasta will vary.

Bowl with chicken pesto pasta with a fork.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the cooked chicken pesto pasta in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

What is a scant cup?

A scant cup just means just shy of a full cup. Usually 1-2 tablespoons less than a full cup.

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