Searching for an incredibly fast and easy dinner solution? Look no further! Dust off your pressure cooker because this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole is a game-changer. It’s ready in approximately 15 minutes of active cooking time and delivers a comforting, delicious meal that your whole family will adore!
I am thrilled to share one of my absolute favorite shortcuts for busy weeknights! Like many of you, I’m always on the hunt for dinner recipes that are not only quick and simple but also deliver on flavor. The other evening, I had planned to whip up our classic chicken noodle casserole—a recipe that’s consistently a crowd-pleaser and one of the most popular dishes on our site. However, time was truly against me. We had less than an hour before we needed to rush out the door for dance lessons and a theater audition, and to make matters more challenging, it was a scorching hot day. The last thing I wanted to do was turn on the oven and heat up the entire house!
While you’re enjoying the speed of your Instant Pot, don’t miss out on my Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie too! It’s another family favorite!
That evening, a brilliant idea sparked: could I adapt this beloved family favorite into an Instant Pot chicken noodle casserole? I’m incredibly pleased to report that the experiment was a resounding success! The result was not only fabulous but also incredibly straightforward. It truly was as simple as tossing all the ingredients into the Instant Pot, setting it, and letting it work its magic. This “dump and go” cooking style is something I’m absolutely obsessed with, especially on those hectic days when every minute counts.
I often find myself modifying or completely bypassing recipes that involve too many intricate steps or excessive dirty dishes. The whole point of using a pressure cooker, or even a slow cooker, is to simplify the cooking process and make meal preparation effortless. That’s why dump and go Instant Pot recipes hold a special place in my heart – they deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfectly fitting into our busy lives and ensuring we spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying delicious food with loved ones.
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe: Your Ultimate Weeknight Solution
This post contains some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Honestly, incorporating the Instant Pot into my routine for making chicken recipes has been nothing short of a culinary revelation. It truly has been a game-changer, significantly speeding up my dinner prep time. This efficiency frees up so much more time for all the other activities our family has going on, allowing us to enjoy our evenings without the constant rush of cooking and cleaning.
Furthermore, using the pressure cooker elevates the concept of a “one-pot” dinner to a whole new level. I absolutely love that we can keep the number of dirty dishes to an absolute minimum. Even though my daughter often takes on dish duty, nobody wants to spend their evening scrubbing pots and pans. The ability to cook everything in just one pot is not only convenient but also incredibly awesome for maintaining a tidy kitchen and enjoying precious family time.
More often than not, I find myself with a very tight window to get dinner made, eaten, and cleaned up before we’re out the door for various evening commitments. I’m also constantly searching for meals that reheat exceptionally well, as it’s not uncommon for at least one of my kids to be working late, needing a hearty meal long after the rest of us have eaten. Fortunately, this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is perfectly suited for both of these situations, making it a reliable staple in our household.
Essential Instant Pot Tools and Accessories for Perfect Casseroles!
To truly master your Instant Pot cooking, having the right accessories can make a significant difference in both convenience and versatility. Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Instant Pot: The star of the show! A reliable Instant Pot is essential for unlocking quick and easy meals like this casserole.
- 5-Piece Accessory Set: This typically includes a steamer basket, egg rack, and other useful items that expand your Instant Pot’s capabilities beyond just casseroles.
- 3-Piece Bundt Pan Bundle Set: Ideal for pot-in-pot cooking, making desserts, or even baking smaller casseroles without direct contact with the pot bottom.
- Stackable Stainless Steel Insert Steamer Pans: Perfect for cooking multiple dishes at once or steaming vegetables above your main course, saving even more time.
- Glass Lid and Sealing Rings: A glass lid is great for slow cooking or keeping food warm, while extra sealing rings are crucial to prevent odor transfer between savory and sweet dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Instant Pot Casserole
Understanding common concerns can help you confidently prepare this recipe. Here are answers to some of the most asked questions:
Can I use frozen chicken for this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole?
Yes, absolutely! You can certainly adapt this Instant Pot chicken noodle casserole recipe to use frozen chicken breasts. For best results, place the frozen chicken breasts directly into your Instant Pot with 1 cup of chicken broth or water. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 12 minutes, allowing a natural release for 5 minutes before performing a quick release. Once cooked, remove the chicken, dice it, empty and clean the pot, and then proceed with the recipe instructions below using your freshly cooked, diced chicken. This ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and safe to consume.
What is the best way to store leftover Chicken Noodle Casserole?
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious leftovers safely. After serving, allow the remaining casserole to cool down slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. It’s always a good practice to label the container with the date before refrigerating. This recipe should remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days when stored correctly in the refrigerator. To prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety, it is crucial to get food into the refrigerator within 1 hour after it has been served.
How many people can this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole serve?
The serving size can vary significantly based on individual portion preferences and the appetites of your family or guests. For our family of five, with three young adult children, this chicken noodle casserole recipe generously fed us for two consecutive nights, with enough left over for a couple of people to enjoy for lunch the following day. We don’t typically have a ton of leftovers from most meals, but this recipe provided perfectly satisfying portions for everyone.
Enjoying Your Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole
Can this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe be doubled?
While I haven’t personally attempted to double this particular recipe, primarily because it yields a generous 12 helpings, it’s worth considering a few points. Doubling a recipe in a pressure cooker can sometimes alter cooking times and may exceed the pot’s maximum fill line. However, if you genuinely need a larger batch, the recipe is so quick to prepare that you could easily make two separate batches back-to-back. This approach ensures consistent results and would still likely have both batches completed in under an hour, making it a viable option for larger gatherings.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
YES! Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is an excellent way to make this chicken noodle casserole even quicker and easier. It’s one of my favorite shortcuts for busy days. I often buy a couple of rotisserie chickens at once, shred all the meat, and then portion it out into containers for use throughout the week in various recipes. This simple prep hack drastically cuts down on cooking time and makes assembling this casserole a breeze.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole: Step-by-Step
Creating this comforting chicken noodle casserole in your Instant Pot is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a delicious, quick meal:
- Begin by placing the cooked, shredded chicken evenly in the bottom of your Instant Pot.
- Layer your chosen veggies, uncooked noodles, granulated garlic, and onion powder over the chicken.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and the can of condensed soup until thoroughly combined. Do not add any extra water the soup can might call for.
- Carefully pour the soup mixture into the pot, ensuring it covers all ingredients, then stir gently to combine everything.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the vent to the sealing position, and cook on manual HIGH pressure for 3 minutes.
- Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure, then carefully remove the lid.
- Stir the casserole well and set the Instant Pot to the sauté function.
- In another small bowl, whisk together the milk and cornstarch to create a smooth slurry.
- Pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering casserole and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes wonderfully creamy.
- Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted and fully incorporated.
- To prevent overcooking from residual heat, remove the pot insert from the Instant Pot base and serve your casserole immediately.
- For an added touch of flavor and texture, garnish with bread crumbs, panko, or fresh parsley before serving.
Can I use a different type of noodle in this casserole?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes. When I prepare my traditional stovetop chicken noodle casserole, I often use classic egg noodles. For this Instant Pot version, I happened to have farfalle (bow-tie pasta) on hand, which worked perfectly. You can use any type of smaller-sized pasta for this recipe, such as elbow macaroni, small shells, or ditalini. Just keep in mind that delicate egg noodles tend to soften more quickly, so you may need to adjust your cooking time and cook them for 2 minutes on high pressure instead of 3 to prevent them from becoming too soft.
Can I use fresh chicken for this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe?
Yes, fresh chicken works wonderfully! If you’re starting with raw, fresh chicken, first dice it into bite-sized pieces. Place the diced chicken in the Instant Pot with 1 cup of broth. Cook on manual HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a natural release for 5 minutes, then perform a quick release. Drain any excess liquid from the pot, and then continue with the rest of the casserole recipe instructions as written, incorporating your freshly cooked chicken.
Can you freeze Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole?
I generally do not recommend freezing this pressure cooker chicken casserole recipe. In my experience, thawing and reheating cooked noodles, especially those in a creamy sauce, often results in them becoming mushy and losing their ideal texture. The starches in the noodles tend to break down during the freezing and thawing process, which can lead to an undesirable consistency. If you have a clever trick for successfully freezing and reheating noodle casseroles, I would absolutely love to hear it!
Transforming Leftover Chicken into a Delicious Casserole
This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole is an ideal way to use up cooked or leftover chicken, turning it into a completely new and exciting meal. Whether you have rotisserie chicken, baked chicken, or simply some shredded chicken on hand, this recipe is designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss.
Key Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked and pulled chicken (shredded or diced)
- Frozen corn
- Frozen peas
- Granulated garlic
- Onion powder
- Farfalle noodles (or other small pasta)
- Cream of chicken soup (condensed)
- Chicken broth or water
- Milk
- Cornstarch
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Breadcrumbs, panko, or fresh parsley to garnish
My Favorite Tools for Crafting This Pressure Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole
This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is truly incredibly simple and utterly delicious. Chances are, if you’re like me, you probably already have many of these essential items readily available in your kitchen. However, if you’re new to the world of “dump and go” dinners in your pressure cooker, you might feel a little nervous about getting started. Don’t worry! You are going to absolutely love how unbelievably easy this dinner is to prepare. To ensure your cooking experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, I’ve compiled a list of the tools I personally can’t live without when making this fantastic meal:
- Instant Pot: The core appliance for this speedy casserole.
- Whisk: Essential for smoothly combining the soup mixture and cornstarch slurry.
- Measuring Cups: For accurate ingredient portions.
- Measuring Spoons: Crucial for precise seasoning and spices.
More Delightful Pressure Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipes and Quick Meals!
If you’ve fallen in love with this chicken noodle casserole in the Instant Pot, then you’re definitely going to enjoy these other incredibly quick and easy dinner recipes too. Each one is designed to save you time without sacrificing flavor. Please click each link below to discover the simple, printable recipe and expand your collection of effortless meals!
Dump & Go Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Better than Take Out Instant Pot Beef Broccoli
Instant Pot Creamy Fiesta Chicken
Pressure Cooker Brown Sugar Ham
Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
Crazy Easy Instant Pot Bacon Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak
Air Fryer Apricot Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
Delicious Chicken and Noodle Casserole: A Family Favorite Made Easy
If you thoroughly enjoyed making this Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe as much as I did, I would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to write a five-star review below. Your feedback helps others discover and love this recipe too! And please, don’t forget to help me share the deliciousness with your friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest!
CONNECT WITH KLEINWORTH & CO!
Stay in the loop and never miss a post by following me on my social media channels!
FB, Pinterest, IG, Email Subscription
Rate this Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked & pulled chicken
- 15 ounces corn (1 can) or 1½ cups frozen
- 15 ounces peas (1 can) or 1½ cups frozen
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 12 ounces farfalle noodles
- 3 cups chicken broth or water
- 22-26 ounces cream of chicken soup (condensed) just what is in the can – don’t add additional water that is called for on the can.
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- breadcrumbs panko or parsley to garnish
Instructions
-
Place the cooked chicken in the bottom of the pot.
-
Top with your veggies, uncooked noodles, granulated garlic & onion powder.
-
In a small bowl, combine broth with the can of condensed soup & whisk well.
-
Transfer the soup mixture into the pot & stir to combine.
-
Close the lid, set to seal & cook on manual HIGH pressure for 3 minutes.
-
Quick-release & then remove the lid.
-
Stir the casserole & set the pot to saute.
-
In a small bowl, combine the milk & cornstarch – whisk together.
-
Pour in the cornstarch slurry & stir until sauce is creamy.
-
Fold in the cheese.
-
Remove the pot insert from the cooker to keep it from continuing to cook with the residual heat & serve immediately.
-
Garnish with bread crumbs, panko or parsley when serving.
Notes
**Live at High Altitude – Because water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes, and pressure cooking requires water to boil in order to work, some foods may need a little more cooking time. When pressure cooking at high altitudes you want to make sure to add 5 percent to your cook time for every 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet elevation. For example, when we lived at 4,000+ feet I would add 10 percent to my cook time. For a recipe that called for 20-minutes of cooking time, I would then cook for 22 minutes. When pressure cooking, 1-2 minutes can make all the difference in a recipe, unlike when cooking by traditional methods.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.