Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken
Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken pairs juicy bone-in thighs with penne and vibrant spring vegetables in a lush pesto-cheese sauce. The basil-forward pesto and tangy cream cheese create a rich, velvety coating that clings to the pasta while the vegetables stay tender-crisp. It’s a comforting, weeknight-friendly dinner that feels special enough for company.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook1 hr
- Serves5
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 53 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 11 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 19
- Heart Health
- 75
- Metabolic
- 39
- Digestive
- 23
- Inflammatory
- 44
- Performance
- 47
- General Wellness
- 1
Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then lightly coat them with flour and shake off any excess.
- 2
Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot) and choose the Saute function. Add the olive oil and the chicken. Cook until the chicken is just lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth. Close and lock the lid. Select the Poultry setting and set the timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build.
- 3
Carefully release the pressure using the quick-release method per the manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and carefully lift off the lid.
- 4
Add the cream cheese, penne pasta, asparagus, green beans, pesto, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined. Close the lid and select the Rice setting; set the timer for 3 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build. Cook as directed by the manufacturer.
- 5
Carefully release the pressure using the quick-release method according to the manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
- Calories 686.41 kcal High 34%
- Protein 36.39 g Good Source 73%
- Carbohydrate 37.25 g 14%
- Total Fat 43.21 g High 55%
- Saturated Fat 14.33 g High 72%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 172.78 mg High 58%
- Sodium 776.42 mg High 34%
- Dietary Fiber 5.37 g Moderate 19%
- Total Sugars 6.33 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 133.65 mg Moderate 10%
- Iron 4.51 mg Good Source 25%
- Potassium 422.43 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin A 239.18 mcg Good Source 27%
- Vitamin C 16.16 mg Moderate 18%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken is made with 12 ingredients and serves 5. It takes about 1 hr 20 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Asparagus, Chicken Broth, and Chicken Thigh. Each serving provides about 686.41 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Asparagus, Chicken Broth, Chicken Thigh, Cream Cheese. The full list of 12 is above.
- How long does it take to make Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken?
- About 1 hr 20 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 686.41 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 12 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken healthy?
- Instant Pot® Gourmet Pesto Chicken has an easyChef Pro health score of 47/100. Per serving, it provides 686.41 calories and 36.39 g of protein, or 73% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of iron and vitamin A. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 776.42 mg (34% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 14.33 g (72% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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