Looking for a creamy weeknight dinner that will wow you? This instant pot cajun chicken alfredo will do just that. It’s a hearty meal that’s creamy, spicy, and so easy to make.
This is a no fuss dinner that doesn’t require a lot of work. Chances are, you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry. There’s no need to make a homemade alfredo sauce when you could buy one and add to it. With just a few additional ingredients like onion, garlic, red pepper, and cajun seasoning you’ll have yourself a fancy alfredo that everyone will want.
Cooking the Cajun Chicken Alfredo
All of your cooking takes place in the instant pot. There’s no need to dirty up any other dishes because we will start by using the sauté function to sauté the red pepper, onion, and garlic in the oil.
Once the onion starts to become translucent, add the chicken breast and cajun seasoning. Now it’s probably starting to smell good. You want to sauté your chicken until it’s mostly cooked. It should be cooked on the outside and should start to become more firm. This should take around 3-5 minutes.
Now you’re ready to add the sauce, noodles, remaining cajun seasoning, and broth. You first want to turn the sauté setting off and layer in the remaining ingredients. Then, work to press the noodles under the liquid. There may be noodles sticking out a little. This is okay as long as most of it is under the liquid.
When you’re done, pressure cook for 2 minutes and then natural release for 5 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly you only need to pressure cook for 2 minutes. However, take note that it will take around 5 minutes or so to reach pressure before it begins to count down.
Using a different type of pasta
Want to use a different type of pasta? You can certainly do so. Will that change your cook time? It probably will. A good rule of thumb to look at the box directions of your pasta. Take the amount of time (use the lowest of the range if applicable), divide in half, and subtract two minutes. Pressure cook for this amount of time and do a 5 minute natural release then proceed to release manually. For more information on this, check out this great source https://inquiringchef.com/how-to-cook-pasta-in-the-instant-pot/ which explains everything.
More Variations
Interested in doing more with this cajun chicken alfredo? You can make it your own by trying the following. If you have any of these items laying around your kitchen, use them up!
- Add pesto - to give it more of a basil, garlic, parmesan flavor this will certainly do it. It’s fresh, delicious, and will make it great
- Add white wine - I love adding wine to alfredo, it elevates the flavor of the pasta and makes it taste like something you’d eat at a fancy italian restaurant. Don’t over-do it though!
- Add sun-dried tomatoes - Want to add tomatoes? Try sun-dried tomatoes. They have incredible flavor and will plump up in the sauce making for a delicious and colorful addition to your meal
This is one of the easiest dinners to make. It’s a little on the spicy side so watch out for little kids, or if you’re making your own cajun seasoning omit any cayenne or hot pepper flake to tone it down a bit. I can’t wait for you to try this delicious, creamy, dinner.
Quick & Easy Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped into bitesize pieces
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- 1 15 oz jar alfredo sauce
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz Cavatappi
Instructions
- Add the first four ingredients and turn on the sauté function. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add your chicken and 2 teaspoons of cajun seasoning. Cook the chicken for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked.
- Cancel the sauté setting and layer the cavatappi, alfredo sauce, chicken broth and 2 teaspoons of cajun seasoning. Press the pasta under the liquid the best you can.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker and ensure the knob is in the sealed position. Pressure cook for 2 minutes with a 5 minute natural release. When done, stir well and let sit for 5 minutes so the sauce can thicken
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