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You are here: Home / Recipes / Instant Pot / Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

October 25, 2019 By Aileen 2 Comments This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Collage photo of instant pot bacon ranch chicken pasta

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta is a creamy and cheesy bacon ranch chicken pasta that is sure to be a hit with your family! Check out our full list of instant pot pasta recipes, too!

A teal bowl filled with instant pot crack chicken pasta topped with shredded cheese and bacon bits.

I love making pasta in the instant pot! Over the years, I have shared recipes for Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta, Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Loaded Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. A favorite chicken recipe is Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables.

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe

I thought I loved my instant pot crack chicken recipe but this crack chicken pasta recipe is my new favorite! It is so filling and packed full of flavor! Plus, I love that it cooks in just 4 minutes and the creamy cheesy sauce is super easy to make.

If you haven’t heard the term “crack chicken” before, it’s just another name for bacon ranch chicken! (another favorite creamy chicken recipe is instant pot chicken and dumplings)

How to make instant pot crack chicken pasta?

  1. Combine pasta, broth, water, chicken, and ranch seasoning inside of your pressure cooker and mix. Pasta, water, broth, and chicken inside instant pot.
  2. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
  3. Quick release the pressure.
  4. Mix in shredded cheese and cubed cream cheese. Cooked chicken and pasta with cubed cream cheese on top.
  5. Stir until cheese is fully mixed. A rubber spoon mixing up crack chicken pasta in the instant pot.
  6. Let sit for 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
  7. Mix in bacon and serve.

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  1. A bowl of cheesy pasta next to small bowls of shredded cheese and bacon.

Can I use frozen chicken to make crack chicken pasta?

No. Unfortunately, the cook time for this recipe is not long enough to cook frozen chicken. I have seen other recipes that say the chicken will defrost before the pot comes to pressure but I do not believe that to be true.

I have tested many recipes with raw and frozen chicken and have found extra time needs to be added in order for the chicken to cook thoroughly. Either way, 4 minutes just is not long enough to cook chicken, so it will need to be cooked before cooking the pasta.

If you want to use frozen chicken in this instant pot crack chicken pasta recipe, follow this recipe for instant pot pulled chicken (omit the barbecue sauce) and then add it into the pot and follow the recipe as described. For other instant pot recipes using frozen chicken, check out our post on instant pot frozen chicken recipes.

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A hand sprinkling shredded cheese over instant pot crack chicken pasta.

Can I use raw chicken and/or bacon in this crack chicken pasta recipe?

  1. Yes. Before following the recipe, set your pressure cooker to sauté.
  2. Add in the chicken and bacon (if only using chicken, include 2 tablespoons olive oil).
  3. Cook chicken and bacon until browned, about 7-10 minutes. 
  4. Drain the bacon grease and pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the bottom of the pot.
  5. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

What to serve with instant pot crack chicken pasta?

This recipe is really great served on it’s own. If you do want to serve it with something, I recommend tossing in some honey roasted carrots or serving it with a side of cheesy garlic bread. 

Cover art of The "I Love My Instant Pot" Affordable Meals Recipe Book.

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A teal bowl filled with instant pot crack chicken pasta topped with shredded cheese and bacon bits.
Yield: Serves 6

Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 34 minutes

Crack chicken pasta is a creamy and cheesy bacon ranch chicken pasta that is sure to be a hit with your family!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup diced cooked chicken
  • 1 pound medium tube-shaped pasta, like penne
  • 1 ranch seasoning packet
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounce cream cheese, softened and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken broth, water, chicken, pasta, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper in instant pot. Stir.
  2. Close lid and set pressure release valve to sealing.
  3. Press the manual or pressure cook button and set to 4 minutes.
  4. Once cooking is complte, quick release the pressure release valve.
  5. Remove the lid and mix in the cream cheese and shredded cheese.
  6. Stir until the cheese is melted.
  7. Let sit for 5 minutes, until sauce is thickened.
  8. Mix in bacon.
  9. Serve, topped with additional shredded cheese and bacon, if desired.

Notes

Variation: Recipe may be made with cooked turkey.

Note: To make this recipe with raw chicken and raw bacon, press the saute button and cook chicken and bacon together until cooked thoroughly, aproximately 10 minutes. Turn the instant pot off and deglaze the bottom of the pot with the chicken broth before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • The "I Love My Instant Pot" Affordable Meals Recipe Book
    The "I Love My Instant Pot" Affordable Meals Recipe Book
  • SteamMates Wraps Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt | Customize Your Instant Pot with Different Designs | Fits InstaPot Duo 6 qt ONLY | Spring Floral Red Duo 6 Qt
    SteamMates Wraps Compatible with Instant Pot Accessories 6 qt | Customize Your Instant Pot with Different Designs | Fits InstaPot Duo 6 qt ONLY | Spring Floral Red Duo 6 Qt
  • Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
    Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1/6 of dish

Amount Per Serving Calories 509Total Fat 36gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 118mgSodium 1712mgCarbohydrates 19gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 1gSugar 3gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 27g

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Aileen Clark
Cuisine: American / Category: Main Dish Recipes
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Collage photo of instant pot crack chicken pasta.

Did you try this recipe for instant pot crack chicken pasta? Let us know what you thought with a raiting or comment!

 

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Filed Under: Instant Pot, Instant Pot Chicken Recipes, Instant Pot Pasta Recipes, Main Dish Recipes, One Pot Pasta Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: chicken, pasta, ranch

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Meet Aileen

Hi, I'm Aileen. I'm married to the love of my life and mom to three busy kids. My mission is to help busy moms cook good food and enjoy their families. I invite you to check out my long list of recipes, fun projects (for kids and moms), and honest posts about motherhood.

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