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This bold and creamy Instant Pot blackened chicken alfredo is the perfect balance of smoky spice and rich comfort. It’s packed with seasoned chicken, colorful peppers and tender pasta, all coated in a homemade Alfredo sauce made right in the Instant Pot. The blackened seasoning adds a Cajun-inspired twist that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, this one-pot dish is easy, fast and full of flavor.

A bowl of creamy instant pot chicken alfredo with vegetables sits next to a pressure cooker on a marble counter.

This easy Instant Pot blackened chicken alfredo combines spicy chicken, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked pasta with vegetables in one bold, pressure-cooked meal.

If you love this, you might also want to try BBQ chicken nachos or how about chicken Bolognese? Kielbasa, potatoes and cabbage is good too.

A close-up of a spoonful of creamy bowtie pasta with diced tomatoes and vegetables, inspired by instant pot chicken alfredo for a quick and flavorful meal.

Why You’ll Love It

Big flavor: Smoky spices and creamy sauce create a bold, satisfying bite.
One-pot recipe: Everything cooks in the Instant Pot for quick prep and cleanup.
Fast and filling: Comes together quickly and feeds a crowd.
Customizable: Swap pasta, veggies or spice level to match your preferences.

Bowl of bowtie pasta with Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo, mixed vegetables, and creamy sauce, served with a black fork on a marble surface.

Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Chicken tenderloins: Quick-cooking and tender, perfect for pressure cooking.
Red onion: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch.
Bowtie pasta: Holds sauce well and provides a fun texture.
Chicken broth: Adds flavor while cooking the pasta.
Bell peppers: Red and green for a balance of sweetness and crunch.
Roma tomatoes: Juicy and mild, they break down into the sauce.
Garlic: Adds warm, aromatic depth in both the sauce and chicken base.
Olive oil: Used to sauté and develop flavor in the first steps.
Cilantro: A fresh garnish to brighten the finished dish.
Unsalted butter: Blends the blackened seasoning into the chicken and enriches the Alfredo sauce.
Blackened seasoning: A smoky, spicy mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, thyme, cumin, and chili powder.
Whole milk and heavy cream: The base of the creamy alfredo sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Adds richness and sharpness to the sauce.

Raw chicken breasts are surrounded by pasta, chopped veggies, broth, butter, cream, cheese, spices, and herbs—everything you need for a delicious instant pot chicken pasta dinner on the counter.

How to Make Blackened Chicken Alfredo in the Instant Pot

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prep the veggies and seasoning: Dice the peppers, onions and tomatoes, and mince the garlic. Mix the melted butter with all blackened seasoning ingredients.
Season the chicken: Cut the chicken into pieces and toss with the butter-seasoning mixture.
Sauté the chicken: Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and brown the chicken. Add peppers, onion, tomatoes, and garlic. Sauté until cooked.
Pressure cook the pasta: Add chicken broth and pasta. Deglaze the pot, seal and cook on high pressure.
Make the alfredo sauce: After cooking, remove chicken and pasta. Deglaze the pot again with milk, then stir in alfredo ingredients.
Combine and serve: Return the pasta and chicken to the pot, stir well and finish with chopped cilantro.

Bowl of bowtie pasta with chunks of chicken and tomatoes, garnished with herbs—this dish is inspired by Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo for a flavorful one pot chicken pasta experience.

Substitutions and Variations

Use a different pasta: Penne, rotini or rigatoni work well.
Change the protein: Try shrimp, sausage or tofu for variety.
Add heat: Increase chili powder or add hot sauce for extra spice.

Bowl of pasta with bowtie noodles, vegetables, and herbs on a marble surface, inspired by one pot blackened chicken pasta, with a fork and napkin nearby.

Serving Suggestions

With a salad: Enjoy a panzanella salad with your chicken alfredo, or perhaps a lemon and parmesan chopped salad or charred zucchini salad.
With vegetables: Enjoy roasted artichokes on the side. Roasted rainbow carrots are really tasty too.

A bowl of creamy one pot blackened chicken pasta with vegetables in the foreground, with bread and another bowl of pasta in the background.

How to Store Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw:
 Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.

Close-up of bowtie pasta with chicken, herbs, and tomato pieces in a white bowl—perfect for an easy instant pot chicken pasta dinner.

Top Tips

Deglaze the pot well: Prevents burning and ensures even cooking.
Cut chicken evenly: Helps everything cook at the same speed.
Add cheese off heat: This keeps the sauce smooth, not gritty.

A bowl of creamy instant pot chicken alfredo pasta with vegetables and herbs, served with bread and another bowl in the background.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta FAQs

What’s the history of this dish?

Alfredo di Lelio presented the dish in the early to mid 1900s at his restaurant in Rome. It was prepared tableside so the cheese could melt over the heat, emulsifying the liquids to create a smooth sauce. The dish was so popular it spread to the US shortly afterwards. Interestingly, the first recipe for fettuccine pasta with cheese and butter dates back to a 1400s Italian cookbook. The pasta was boiled in water or broth then butter, cheese and spices were added. The modern version, Alfredo di Lelio’s version, was rich in butter because he first made it for his wife who’d just given birth and needed her energy. Although di Lelio claimed to use only pasta, butter and cheese, there has been speculation he cooked the pasta in milk or added oil to the fettuccine dough.

Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, just thaw it first and pat dry before seasoning.

Do I need to use both milk and cream?

For the best balance of richness and texture, both are recommended.

A bowl of bowtie pasta mixed with blackened chicken, tomatoes, and herbs, garnished with chopped parsley—a delicious one pot blackened chicken pasta that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Cajun Chicken Pasta Instant Pot Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Instant Pot Blackened Chicken Alfredo

This Instant Pot blackened chicken alfredo is spicy, creamy and packed with bold flavor. It combines seasoned chicken, colorful vegetables and tender pasta in a single pot. Perfect for a comforting meal with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 9 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 Pound chicken tenderloins
  • 1 red onion, medium
  • 16 Ounces pasta, bowties or farfalle
  • 3 Cups chicken broth
  • 1 bell pepper, green
  • 1 bell pepper, red
  • 3 tomatoes, Roma
  • 2 Cloves garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • cilantro, as garnish

For the Blackened Seasoning 

For the Alfredo Sauce 

  • 3/4 Cup whole milk
  • 1/2 Cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 Cup unsalted butter
  • 3 Cloves garlic 
  • 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper, coarse

Instructions 

  • Small dice the peppers, onions and tomatoes and mince the garlic cloves.  
  • Prepare blackened seasoning. Combine melted butter with blackened seasoning ingredients and mix well.  
  • Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken to the bowl with the blackened seasoning and butter and toss to coat.  
  • Turn the Instant Pot on sauté mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Then stir in the pepper and red onion and cook for 5 more minutes. Next add in the tomatoes and minced garlic and sauté until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
  • Pour the chicken broth and noodles into the instant pot and deglaze the bottom of the pan. Seal, set to manual high pressure, and cook for 3 minutes. Quick release remaining steam. Add all to a bowl and set aside.  
  • Pour milk into the instant pot and deglaze the bottom of the pan. Turn onto sauté mode. Once milk starts bubbling, add remaining Alfredo sauce ingredients. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add pasta and chicken back to the instant pot and stir. Cook for 1 more minute.  

Notes

Deglaze the pot well: Prevents burning and ensures even cooking.
Cut chicken evenly: Helps everything cook at the same speed.
Add cheese off heat: This keeps the sauce smooth, not gritty.

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 851mg | Potassium: 642mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2122IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Instant Pot blackened chicken alfredo is a bold and creamy one-pot dish that delivers big flavor fast. The smoky blackened seasoning gives the chicken deep character, while the homemade Alfredo sauce coats every bite of pasta and veggie. With minimal cleanup and customizable ingredients, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Whether you make it as written or adapt it to suit your pantry, this pasta dinner in an Instant Pot is a reliable go-to when you want something hearty and flavorful.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 11 votes (2 ratings without comment)

12 Comments

  1. The recipe instructions call for red onion but on the ingredient list, it’s not mentioned that I can see. How much red onion?

    1. Oops, thanks for pointing that out. Recipe amended! I used one red onion for mine. Happy cooking 🙂