Welcome to the heartwarming world of Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles, a classic comfort food reimagined for modern kitchens. Also affectionately known as comforting chicken noodles, this dish is a delicious, soul-satisfying one-pot meal that has garnered rave reviews from families everywhere. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend gathering, it transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful experience. Best of all, it’s ready in just over an hour, whether you’re using fresh or frozen chicken breasts.
Originally published on Aug 29, 2017
Instant Pot Chicken Noodles: The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort
There’s something universally appealing about a hearty bowl of chicken and noodles. It evokes childhood memories, cozy evenings, and the simple joy of a home-cooked meal. For years, my family and I have gravitated towards these comforting foods, and this Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe has been a consistent hit. While I originally prepared it on the stovetop, then transitioned to the slow cooker, discovering the magic of the Instant Pot has completely revolutionized this dish. The pressure cooker method not only significantly cuts down on cooking time but also intensifies the flavors, making it a truly hands-off and rewarding experience.
I vividly remember making a large batch of this delightful dish for a Christmas party years ago. It felt like a fresh, inviting change from the usual holiday fare, and the best part was the sheer ease of preparation. I didn’t have to “babysit” the pot, constantly stirring or checking. My Instant Pot handled the initial cooking of the chicken beautifully, leaving me free to tackle other party preparations. Once the chicken was perfectly tender, all that was left was a quick shred and a final pressure cook with the noodles to bring everything together. It was an absolute triumph – the rich, savory flavors and tender chicken paired with thick, satisfying noodles made it a huge hit with everyone. We practically ran out, which was a clear sign I needed to double the recipe next time!
This Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe truly exemplifies convenience without compromising on taste. Its simplicity makes it approachable for even novice cooks, while its robust flavor profile satisfies even the most discerning palates. The beauty of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to transform raw ingredients into a fully cooked, flavorful meal with minimal effort. This pressure cooker chicken and noodles dish is not just food; it’s an experience, bringing warmth and joy to any table it graces.
Mastering Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles: A Simple Process
Creating this incredibly comforting Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles dish is remarkably straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a hearty and delicious meal on your table in no time. The Instant Pot streamlines the cooking process, ensuring tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles with minimal fuss.
- 1) Assemble the Base: Begin by adding all the initial ingredients to your Instant Pot, except for the noodles. This includes the chicken, broth, cream soup, butter, and seasonings.
- 2) Pressure Cook the Chicken: Secure the lid and pressure cook the chicken until it’s perfectly tender and ready for shredding.
- 3) Remove Chicken & Add Noodles: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Then, introduce the frozen egg noodles to the flavorful broth.
- 4) Pressure Cook the Noodles: Seal the pot once more and pressure cook the noodles until they reach that desirable dumpling-like consistency.
- 5) Shred & Reintroduce Chicken: While the noodles cook, shred the chicken with ease and then add it back into the pot, stirring to combine all the delicious elements.
- 6) Optional Veggies: If desired, fold in some frozen mixed vegetables during the final stages, allowing them to heat through in the simmering broth.
This efficient two-stage pressure cooking method ensures both the chicken and noodles are cooked to perfection, each component retaining its ideal texture and absorbing the rich flavors of the creamy broth. It’s a testament to the Instant Pot’s ability to deliver complex flavors through a simple process.
More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of the Instant Pot and enjoy easy, delicious meals, explore some of these other popular recipes:
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken: Perfectly roasted, tender whole chicken in a fraction of the time.
- Instant Pot Drunken Beans (Frijoles Borrachos): A flavorful and authentic bean dish.
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Sausage Potato Soup): A hearty and comforting Italian-inspired soup.
- Instant Pot Beef Barley Vegetable Soup: A classic, robust soup packed with vegetables and tender beef.
- Instant Pot Ham Hock and Bean Soup: A smoky and satisfying bean soup.
Watch the Magic Unfold: Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles Video Guide
Seeing the steps in action can be incredibly helpful, especially when you’re mastering a new Instant Pot recipe. This video guide for Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles walks you through each stage of the cooking process, from assembling your ingredients to the final shredding of the chicken and integrating the perfectly cooked noodles. You’ll get a visual understanding of consistency, pressure release techniques, and tips for ensuring your dish turns out flawlessly. It’s an excellent resource to complement the written instructions and help you create the ultimate comforting chicken noodle experience with confidence.
The Secret to Perfect Noodles: Frozen Egg Noodles
One of the distinguishing features of this Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe, and a key contributor to its comforting texture, is the type of noodles I prefer to use: frozen egg noodles. You’ll typically find these hidden gems in the frozen food aisle of your grocery store, often nestled near the frozen breads or pasta. What makes them so special? They are wonderfully thick, providing a satisfying chew without being overly wide, and they boast a delightful, dumpling-like consistency that truly elevates the dish.
My go-to brand is Reames, known for their high-quality frozen egg noodles that hold up exceptionally well under pressure cooking. Their sturdy texture prevents them from becoming mushy, even in the rich, creamy broth. If these specific frozen egg noodles aren’t available at your local store, or if you prefer to use a different type, don’t worry! The detailed recipe card below includes clear instructions and adjustments for using standard dried egg noodles, ensuring you can still achieve a fantastic result with this Instant Pot chicken and noodles recipe. The key is adjusting the liquid and cooking time to prevent overcooking and achieve your desired noodle texture, whether you prefer them al dente or softer.
Transforming Your Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles into a Hearty Soup
While this pressure cooker chicken and noodles recipe is typically enjoyed as a thick, creamy dish, it’s incredibly versatile and can easily be adapted into a delicious and warming soup. If you’re craving a more liquid-based meal, simply adjust the amount of chicken broth. For a soup-like consistency, consider adding an extra cup or two of chicken broth during the initial cooking phase, or even towards the end if you want to thin it out further. This will create a richer, more abundant broth that perfectly complements the tender chicken and savory noodles.
To enhance your chicken noodle soup, feel free to incorporate additional vegetables. Frozen mixed vegetables, such as peas, carrots, and corn, can be stirred in during the final minutes of cooking, allowing them to heat through and add extra nutrients and color. Alternatively, you could sauté fresh diced carrots and celery in the Instant Pot before adding the other ingredients for a traditional soup base. This flexibility makes Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles an excellent foundation for various meal preferences, allowing you to customize it to your heart’s content, whether you desire a thick stew or a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup.
Pin This Recipe for Later!
Don’t let this fantastic Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe get lost in your bookmarks! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever you’re craving a delicious, easy, and comforting meal. This dish is perfect for meal planning, busy weeknights, or impressing guests with minimal effort. Save it now and share the comfort with your friends and family!
Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 large Chicken Breasts (skinless/boneless, fresh or frozen)
- 2 (10.75 oz) cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 (14.5 oz) Cans of Chicken Broth (or 3 ¾ cups)
- 1 Stick of Butter, unsalted (use 1/2 stick if you are trying to cut down on fat content)
- 1 Garlic Clove, pressed (or 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder)
- ¼ tsp Poultry Seasoning
- ¾ tsp Kosher Salt, divided (or 1/2 tsp table salt)
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- (2) 12 oz Packages Frozen Egg Noodles**, (1) 24oz bag. (I use the Reames brand)
- 1-2 cups Frozen Mixed Vegetables (optional)
Instructions
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To begin, set your Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. This step is primarily to allow the pot to warm up and the butter to begin melting, not for browning ingredients.
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Carefully add the stick of butter, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, pressed garlic clove, and poultry seasoning into the Instant Pot. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, creating a smooth, aromatic base for your chicken and noodles.
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Gently place the two large chicken breasts into the pot, ensuring they are submerged as much as possible in the liquid mixture. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the flavors.
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Press the “Cancel” button on your Instant Pot to turn off the Sauté mode. This prevents the bottom from getting too hot before pressure cooking.
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Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot, making sure it is properly sealed. Rotate the steam release knob to the “Sealing” position.
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Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button (or dial, depending on your model) and set the cooking time. For fresh chicken, cook for 12 minutes on High Pressure. If you are using frozen chicken breasts, extend the cooking time to 18 minutes. Remember, larger or thicker chicken pieces may require slightly more cooking time to ensure they are thoroughly cooked and easy to shred.
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Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to perform a 10-minute Natural Release (NR). During this time, the pressure will gradually decrease on its own. After 10 minutes, carefully manually release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to “Venting.” When the float valve drops down, it is safe to open the lid.
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Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the pot and transfer them to a plate. Press “Cancel” on the Instant Pot to turn it off before proceeding to the next step.
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Add the frozen egg noodles directly into the Instant Pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the flavorful broth. Give them a gentle stir to separate any clumps.
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Replace the lid on the pot, securing it properly, and turn the steam release knob back to the “Sealing” position.
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Press the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button again and set the cooking time for 9 minutes on High Pressure. This is the ideal time for thick, frozen egg noodles to cook to a perfect al dente, dumpling-like texture.
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While the noodles are cooking under pressure, take two forks and begin to shred the cooked chicken breasts on your plate. The chicken should be incredibly tender and shred effortlessly. Once shredded, sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt to season it perfectly.
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When the noodle cooking cycle is complete, allow the pot to perform a 5-minute Natural Release (NR). After 5 minutes, proceed with a Controlled Quick Release* of the remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, you can safely open the lid.
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*A Controlled Quick Release is crucial here to prevent the creamy sauce from spewing out with the steam. To do this, turn the steam release knob to “Venting” in very short bursts initially, then gradually allow longer bursts. Continue this process until you are certain that only steam, and no sauce, is escaping from the vent. Once it’s safe, fully open the vent to release all remaining pressure.
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If you are adding frozen mixed vegetables, stir them into the pot now. The residual heat from the dish will be sufficient to warm them through.
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Finally, add the shredded chicken back into the pot with the noodles and vegetables. Stir everything together gently to combine. Cover the pot with the lid (without sealing) and let it sit for a few minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to finish heating. Stir one last time and serve your incredibly comforting Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles!
If You Don’t Have the Frozen Noodles**
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If you are unable to find or prefer not to use frozen egg noodles, you can easily adapt this recipe for dried egg noodles. After you have removed the cooked chicken from the Instant Pot (Step 7), turn on the Sauté function. Add your dried egg noodles directly to the flavorful broth in the pot. Cook the noodles, stirring occasionally, just as you would on a stovetop, until they are tender to your liking. If the sauce becomes too thick or you need more liquid for the noodles to cook properly, add a little extra chicken broth. Once the noodles are done, return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine before serving.
Notes
**For those using regular dried egg noodles, we recommend using 12 ounces. To achieve a thicker, more traditional chicken and noodles consistency, reduce the chicken broth to 3 cups. If you prefer a soupier result, similar to a classic chicken noodle soup, use 4 cups of broth.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Essential Tools and Pantry Staples for Your Kitchen
To whip up this delightful Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe, and many other culinary adventures, having the right tools and a well-stocked pantry makes all the difference. While the Instant Pot is the star, a few other items will ensure your cooking experience is smooth and enjoyable.
Recommended Kitchen Equipment:
- Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker: Absolutely essential for this recipe. A 6-quart or 8-quart model will work perfectly, allowing ample space for all ingredients.
- Meat Shredding Claws: While two forks work fine, these specialized tools make shredding cooked chicken incredibly fast and efficient, saving you time and effort.
- Whisk: Ideal for smoothly combining the cream of chicken soup and broth without lumps.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for consistent results in any recipe.
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: For any prep, even if minimal, like pressing garlic or dicing optional fresh vegetables.
Pantry Essentials for Comfort Food:
- Chicken Broth: Always have a good quality chicken broth on hand, preferably low-sodium so you can control the seasoning.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The base of this creamy sauce. Consider having a few cans for quick comfort meals.
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for richness. Using unsalted allows you to adjust the salt content precisely.
- Frozen Egg Noodles: If you love the dumpling-like texture, keeping a bag of Reames or a similar brand in your freezer is a game-changer.
- Dried Egg Noodles: A great alternative if frozen noodles are unavailable.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder are must-haves for adding depth of flavor.
- Poultry Seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the chicken’s natural flavors.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that every kitchen needs.
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A convenient way to add color, texture, and nutrition to many dishes, including this one.
Having these items ready will ensure you can prepare comforting meals like Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles whenever the craving strikes, making your cooking process enjoyable and stress-free.