pesto

One Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

I love pesto! Pesto has so much flavor, and it is great with pasta. It makes for a super simple dish that is full of flavor. I think its especially great with chicken! Even better, you can find a ton of pre-made pesto at your local grocery store – so no worries about making your own! If you want to, more power to ya!

I love the idea of a One Pot Pressure Cooker meal – I love even MORE the idea of a meal that only takes *5 ingredients to delicious!
*5 ingredients – not counting the water, salt and pepper – 5: pesto, chicken, pasta, butter/oil, spinach

This meal is fast! It only takes 4-5 minutes of hands on work, and cooks in under 20 minutes total from start to serving!

Another WIN about this meal is that my (super picky) 7 year old daughter ate it and complimented it – I honestly didn’t think she’d eat it (simply because its got green in it!), but I was pleasantly surprised this One Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta was kid-approved!

The hubby was happy with this meal, I was thrilled & the kid ate it.

Total wife & mom win!

 

Ingredients

2 T olive oil

1 1/2 pounds chicken, cubed into 1 inch pieces

salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp each) to season chicken

1 box (1 pound) pasta, choose a substantial noodle like rigatoni or cavatappi

3 1/2 cups water

1/2 t salt

1 T butter or olive oil

1/2 cup pesto

4 cups baby spinach

Optional garnish

Parmesan cheese

crushed red pepper

salt and pepper to taste

Essential Tools

Pressure Cooker, I have this IP-60DUO 7-in-1 6 qt Instant Pot

Large mixing spoon

Directions

Turn on Pressure Cooker to Sauté or Browning setting, then add 2 T olive oil. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste (about 1/4-1/2 t each).

Stir lightly. Close lid, and close vent knob – on Instant pot, turn vent knob to “Sealing”.

Set cook time to 4 minutes on High Pressure – for Instant Pot, press Manual and adjust cook time with “+/-“ buttons to 4 minutes.

Pot will take 5-10 minutes to come to pressure, then cook time countdown will begin.

When cook time is complete, quickly release pressure (QPR) and remove lid.

You may have some water left in the pot – that is okay! It will help make your sauce.

Press cancel or off on your pressure cooker. Turn on sauté or browning function.

Add pesto and stir.

Then add spinach and stir. Spinach will take no time at all to wilt!

Serve, and garnish with parmesan cheese, cracked pepper and/or crushed red pepper, if desired.

Recipe should yield 5-6 generous servings.

One Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

Check out all of our Favorite Instant Pot Accessories!