By Becky Hardin
Updated Jan 20, 2026
When I’m in the mood for an Italian-inspired meal, this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo is my go-to. I get restaurant-quality food featuring tender, juicy chicken sitting atop fettuccine noodles bathed in a creamy Alfredo sauce. Easy, flavorful, and perfect for a romantic dinner or a busy weeknight.
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Easy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
When I’m in the mood for authentic-tasting Italian food but not up for going out, this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo fits the bill. Not only does it taste like the fresh Italian cuisine you’d get at any high-quality restaurant, but it’s also super simple to assemble using the Instant Pot.
Perfectly-flavored creamy Alfredo sauce coats juicy chicken and fettuccine for the most delicious meal. Though it tastes great as is, I’ll often throw in a few veggies like broccoli or asparagus if I’ve got them sitting in the fridge to add some greens.
Tips for Beginners
- For spicy chicken. If you like spicy foods, use Cajun seasoning on your chicken to prepare a Cajun version of this Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo.
- If using frozen chicken. It will require more cooking time to ensure it’s not raw.
- Make a double batch. If you’re serving a large crowd and your Instant Pot can handle the space, you can double this recipe.
- Pre-made Alfredo sauce . Though store-bought sauce will work, homemade will taste best.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs, skin removed, thinly sliced
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ½ tsp onion powder
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt divided
- ▢ ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 3½ cups water
- ▢ 1 lb. dry fettuccine pasta linguine or angel hair also work
- ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
- ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic grated
- ▢ chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with the garlic powder, onion powder, ½ tsp salt, and pepper. 1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button. 2 tbsp olive oil
- Once the oil is heated, add the chicken breasts, cooking them for a few minutes on each side until browned. If needed, do this in batches adding more oil if necessary.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and place onto a plate.
- Add the chicken broth, water, and remaining ½ tsp salt. Break the pasta noodles in half, and add them to the pot, stirring to ensure the pasta is completely submerged in the liquid. Add the chicken back to the pot and place it on top of the pasta. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 3½ cups water, 1 lb. dry fettuccine pasta
- Press the Cancel button. Then, press the Manual button and set the timer for 6 minutes.
- When the cook time is complete, immediately release the steam.
- Remove the chicken breasts and place on a cutting board and slice.
- Pour the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic into the Instant Pot and stir. 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves garlic
- Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to allow the excess liquid to absorb.
- Serve the pasta with sliced chicken on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. chopped fresh parsley
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo in the Instant Pot Step by Step
Prepare the chicken: Season 1½ lbs. chicken breasts with ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp ground black pepper.
Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button.
Once the oil has warmed up, add the chicken breasts, and cook them for a few minutes on each side until browned. If you don’t have the space to do the chicken all at the same time, do this in batches, adding more oil if necessary.
Remove the chicken from the pot and place on a plate.
Cook the noodles: Add 1 cup chicken broth, 3½ cups water, and the other ½ tsp salt to the Instant Pot. Break 1 lb. of fettuccine noodles in half, and add them to the pot, stirring to ensure they are completely submerged in the liquid.
Return the chicken to the pot and place it on top of the pasta. Press the Cancel button. Then, press the Manual button and set the timer for 6 minutes.
When the cook time is complete, immediately release the steam. Remove the chicken breasts and place on a cutting board and slice.
Make the sauce : Pour 1 cup heavy cream, and add ½ cup Parmesan cheese and 2 cloves grated garlic to the Instant Pot and stir.
Let the fettuccine sit for a few minutes to allow the excess liquid to absorb.
Serve: Serve the pasta with the chicken sliced on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat over the stove or in the microwave. Add water, broth, or cream to loosen up the sauce as it will thicken while in the fridge.
Though you can freeze leftovers, the noodles will get soft, and the sauce may separate. If you do choose to freeze the chicken alfredo, you should give it a good stir and add cream to smooth out the sauce before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
For a true Italian-inspired meal, I love preparing a Caesar salad to start our meal and always make Dutch oven bread . For dessert, nothing beats these easy tiramisu cups for the complete Italian experience.
more chicken alfredo recipes
Chicken Alfredo Sandwich (Crockpot Recipe)
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake Recipe
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs, skin removed, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt divided
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3½ cups water
- 1 lb. dry fettuccine pasta linguine or angel hair also work
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with the garlic powder, onion powder, ½ tsp salt, and pepper. 1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button. 2 tbsp olive oil
- Once the oil is heated, add the chicken breasts, cooking them for a few minutes on each side until browned. If needed, do this in batches adding more oil if necessary.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and place onto a plate.
- Add the chicken broth, water, and remaining ½ tsp salt. Break the pasta noodles in half, and add them to the pot, stirring to ensure the pasta is completely submerged in the liquid. Add the chicken back to the pot and place it on top of the pasta. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 3½ cups water, 1 lb. dry fettuccine pasta
- Press the Cancel button. Then, press the Manual button and set the timer for 6 minutes.
- When the cook time is complete, immediately release the steam.
- Remove the chicken breasts and place on a cutting board and slice.
- Pour the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic into the Instant Pot and stir. 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves garlic
- Let the pasta sit for a few minutes to allow the excess liquid to absorb.
- Serve the pasta with sliced chicken on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. chopped fresh parsley
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
