Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta is tender chicken and elbow macaroni pressure cooked together with bacon, cream cheese, ranch seasoning and melted cheddar into the richest most addictive weeknight dinner for just $3.97 a serving.

This is a dinner my kids go crazy for. The creamy ranch sauce with bacon and cheddar coats every bite of pasta and chicken. After 14 years of developing recipes, I know the best Instant Pot dinners taste like they cooked all day but are ready in under 30 minutes.

If you love easy Instant Pot pasta recipes like this one you will also love our Easy Instant pot Chicken Alfredo Recipe, Instant Pot Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta, and Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Recipe. They are all budget-friendly, made with simple ingredients, and the kind of hearty one pot dinners your family will request all week long.

Ingredients

• Dry elbow macaroni — cooks directly in the Instant Pot during the sauté step and absorbs all the flavors from the sauce. Do not add before pressure cooking — add on the sauté setting after the chicken is done
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced — cut into 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly under pressure. Chicken thighs work as a juicier substitute. Leftover rotisserie chicken also works — skip the pressure cooking step and stir in during the sauté
• Bacon, cooked and diced — adds smoky salty crunch throughout the dish. Cook ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days to make this an even faster weeknight dinner. Reserve half for topping
• Cream cheese, softened — the ingredient that creates the rich silky sauce. Always soften to room temperature before adding so it melts smoothly without lumps. Stir in during the last few minutes of the sauté step
• Sour cream — adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess to the sauce. Full fat gives the richest most flavorful result
• Cream of chicken soup — adds body and a savory depth to the sauce base. One standard can is all you need
• Chicken broth — always goes in the bottom of the Instant Pot first to prevent the burn notice. Low sodium gives you more control over the final saltiness
• Ranch seasoning mix — the flavor backbone of this entire dish. One packet gives you the perfect amount of bold ranch flavor throughout. Our Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe works even better
• Black pepper — adds a subtle heat throughout. Always taste before serving and adjust
• Shredded cheddar cheese, divided — half goes into the sauce and half goes on top after cooking. Always shred fresh from a block — pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly
• Green onions, sliced — garnish that adds a fresh mild onion flavor and color right before serving

Carrie’s Tip: Always pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the Instant Pot before adding the chicken mixture on top — this is the single most important step for preventing the burn notice. The liquid on the bottom creates the steam the pressure cooker needs to function and the chicken mixture on top keeps the dairy from scorching on the bottom of the pot.

How to Make Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta

Step 1 – Mix Ingredients – In a large size bowl, beat together the ingredients. Cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix and pepper with a hand held mixer until creamy.

Step 2 – Stir in Chicken, cheese and bacon – Then gently mix in the chicken, the cheddar cheese and half of the chopped bacon. Stir by hand carefully until the ingredients are completely combined.

Step 3 – Add in Chicken Broth – Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot. Add the chicken mixture on top.

Step 4 – Cook in the Pressure Cooker – Seal and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. After the cook time, do a quick release to release the pressure. From the instant pot by moving the valve on the lid from the seal to the vent position.

Step 5 – Cook the Pasta – Then switch the instant pot to the sauté setting. Stir in the elbow noodles and make sure that they are completely covered.

Step 6 – Cook noodles with other ingredients – Cook for 4-5 minutes stirring frequently. This prevent the bottom from burning until the noodles are soft. Stir in the diced cream cheese for the last few minutes to allow for it to melt.

Step 7 – Top with Cheese and bacon – Then turn the instant pot off. Top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, bacon and the sliced green onions.

Step 8 – Serve and Enjoy – Let the meal sit for a few minutes. This lets the sauce can thicken and the heat from the meal will melt the cheese.

Tips for Success

• Always add broth first. The chicken broth must go in the bottom of the Instant Pot before anything else — this prevents the burn notice and creates the steam needed for pressure cooking
• Always use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting — always shred from a block for the silkiest sauce
• Soften the cream cheese completely. Room temperature cream cheese melts into the sauce smoothly without lumps — cold cream cheese leaves white chunks that never fully incorporate
• Stir the pasta frequently during the sauté step. The thick sauce can stick and burn on the bottom of the Instant Pot during the pasta cooking step — stir every 30–60 seconds for the best result
• Let it rest before serving. Three to five minutes of resting allows the sauce to thicken significantly from a thin coating to a rich creamy sauce that clings to every piece of pasta

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap elbow macaroni for rotini penne or bowtie pasta — use the same amount and cook time
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier more forgiving result
• Swap cheddar for Colby Jack Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a different flavor profile
• Use leftover rotisserie chicken — skip the pressure cooking step and stir in during the sauté
• Make it without pasta — serve the crack chicken mixture over rice or in hoagie rolls for a completely different meal
• Make it in the slow cooker — cook on low for 6–8 hours then stir in cooked pasta before serving

What to Serve with Crack Chicken Pasta?

Because this crack chicken is a comfort and hearty meal, we keep the side light and simple. Here are some recommendations that we serve with this delicious meal.

• Side Salad – We often serve a simple salad with this meal and it is really tasty. The salad balances out the pasta and makes a really great dinner.
• Roasted Vegetables – You could also try Roasted Green Beans for another easy side dish idea. We also love broccoli and it is so easy. Learn how to steam broccoli in the microwave for a super easy veggie side dish.
• Homemade Bread – Whenever we make a pasta dish, I love to make a side of garlic bread. Pasta and bread just go together.

Storage and Freezer Instructions

Refrigerator

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The pasta absorbs the sauce as it sits so add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to loosen it back up

Freezer

• Freeze the chicken and sauce mixture without the pasta for up to 3 months — thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir in freshly cooked pasta when reheating for the best texture

Reheating

• Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth stirring occasionally until warmed through — microwave in 60-second intervals also works well for individual portions

Frequently Asked Questions

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

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This Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta has earned a permanent spot in our weeknight rotation. It is loaded with bacon, ranch, cream cheese, and cheddar, costs just $3.97 per serving, and is ready in under 30 minutes. Leave a star rating and comment to let me know if your family went back for seconds.