Pressure Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Serves 6 in about 35 minutes. The pot starts with heavy cream half, then cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

• 6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked or uncooked, cut in bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
• ½ cup heavy cream or half and half, (more if you like it saucier)
• 1 packet ranch dressing powder (3 tbsp)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 16 oz penne pasta (or rotini, ziti, etc.)
• 2 (8 oz) boneless skinless chicken breast (cubed slightly larger than bite sized)
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Method

1. Prepare all of the ingredients before you start. Cut the bacon and chicken, have the butter measured. Shred the cheese, and measure out the ranch & garlic powders, broth, and pasta. It will make the cooking process much easier and faster. Less stress!
2. If you have uncooked bacon: Turn on the Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). Tip in the chopped bacon. Cook, while stirring now and then, until done. Lift out to a paper towel and drain all of the fat from the pot. keep it nearby.
3. Tip in the butter and a splash or two of the broth to the pot and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot so you can to get up all of the brown bits (fond).
4. Tip in the broth, heavy cream, ranch powder, and garlic powder, and stir well.
5. Tip in the pasta and stir.
6. Tip in the chicken and the cubes of cream cheese. Don't stir, but gently push down, using a spoon, to submerge the chicken and pasta.
7. Cancel the Sauté function.
8. Set the pressure cooker lid on the pot and turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
9. Press Pressure Cook or Manual button, and then the + or - button to choose 5 minutes. Your pasta may need a different time. Usually half the time on the package directions.
10. When the cooking cycle ends, do a controlled Quick Release of the pressure, just until you are sure no sauce will spew out with the steam, then turn the knob all the way and let it all out.
11. When the pin in the lid drops down, open it and give the contents a stir. It will be fairly soupy at this point.
12. Mix in the cheese and let it melt.
13. Mix in the bacon. Stir well. It will thicken as it cools.
14. Plate warm.

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.