This easy high-protein creamy chicken pasta is one of those dinners that works well when you need something filling quickly. Protein pasta and rotisserie chicken add plenty of protein, while cream cheese, parmesan, and cream make the whole thing rich and creamy.
I make it in the Instant Pot, so everything cooks in one pot and the rotisserie chicken gets added at the end. It’s an easy way to turn a grocery store run into dinner quickly.
Quick answer: This easy creamy chicken pasta combines protein pasta, rotisserie chicken, parmesan, and a creamy sauce in the Instant Pot for a quick, filling dinner with plenty of protein.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy. Rotisserie chicken means there’s no raw chicken to cook separately.
- It has added protein. Using protein pasta along with a whole rotisserie chicken makes this much more filling than a basic creamy pasta.
- It feeds a lot of people. This makes a generous batch, which works especially well for a family dinner with leftovers for lunches.
- Everything is made in one pot. Fewer dishes are always helpful on a busy night.
Easy High-Protein Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
2+ tablespoons olive oil
1 onion diced
3 tablespoons italian seasoning
2 tablespoons garlic and herb seasoning
1 tablespoons oregano
1.5 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2–14.5 lb boxes of protein pasta
6 cups water
2 tablespoons instant bullion powder (or 6 cubes bullion or 6 tablespoons better than bullion)
1 rotisserie chicken
8 ounces cream cheese (1 stick)
5 ounces parmesan cheese
8 ounces (or 2 cups) heavy whipping cream
optional toppings for serving:
shredded parmesan
chopped or small leaves of basil
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for a few minutes, until it begins to soften.
- Add the spices and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, just until fragrant.
- Add the pasta, water, and bouillon. Stir everything together well, leaving the Instant Pot on Sauté while you stir so the liquid can begin heating.
- Cancel the Sauté function. Secure the lid and pressure cook on High for about half the cooking time listed on the pasta package.
- While the pasta cooks, remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken. Discard the bones and most of the skin, then chop or pull the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- When the cooking time is finished, carefully quick release the pressure. Once the pressure has fully released, remove the lid.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, Parmesan, and half-and-half. Stir until the cream cheese has melted and everything is creamy and well combined.
- Serve warm, topped with additional Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
Note: The total Instant Pot cooking time will be longer than the programmed pressure-cooking time because the pot needs time to come to pressure first. Leaving the Sauté function on while adding and stirring the liquid helps it come to pressure a little faster.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
Protein Pasta
I use protein pasta for this recipe because it’s an easy way to add more protein without really changing dinner. You can use whatever shape your family likes; just use the package cooking time to determine the Instant Pot time. I use one box Cellentani and one box Rotini both from Barilla.
Rotisserie Chicken
A rotisserie chicken keeps this recipe especially quick. Remove the meat from the bones while the pasta pressure cooks, discard most of the skin, and either chop or pull the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Parmesan and Cream Cheese
Cream cheese helps thicken the sauce, while Parmesan gives it more flavor. I like to add a little extra Parmesan on top when serving.
A Few Tips
The Instant Pot will take longer than the programmed cooking time because it needs to come to pressure first. Leaving the Sauté function on while you add the pasta, water, and bouillon lets the liquid start heating and can shorten that time.
Also, pasta can vary quite a bit between brands. Using approximately half of the package cooking time is a good starting point for pressure cooking.
Serving Ideas
This Instant Pot creamy chicken pasta is filling enough to serve on its own, but you can add a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or bread on the side. Finish each bowl with Parmesan and a little chopped fresh basil if you have it.