Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Spinach Pasta!

It has been a while since I’ve posted a recipe! We have amazing news:

We are having a baby!

Super exciting, but definitely has thrown off my cooking and eating groove a little bit. We have been doing lots of stuff to already get ready for the new addition… which means refocusing most of my energy. BUT, now that the dust is settling and we are starting to get back to normal (before things get crazy again).

Another thing that has changed since I found out I’m pregnant is what I’m eating – or rather, what balance of foods I’m eating. I am currently working with a coach to help me gain a smart amount of weight since I gained 60 lbs with Brock and I don’t want to do that again. So, with some protein aversions (and a complete inability took look at or smell cooked broccoli), I have shifted to eating a bit higher carbs and fat, but lower protein than I had been.

So far, I have only gained around 3.5 lbs in 12+ weeks. I am pretty happy with that! Yes, that is right… I am eating higher carbs and higher fat and still maintaining my weight (mostly) while pregnant.

I have to admit, I have been loving the extra carbs because they let me eat recipes like this one. As decadent as it is, as comforting and creamy, it is somehow still pretty macro-friendly (and should I mention DELICIOUS).

As with any of my recipes, you can make it match your macros by choosing different amounts of your ingredients. As-is, this recipe will run you 48g carbs, 13g fat, 34g protein per serving (375g). Other recipes I’ve found out there on the internet will run you upwards of 25g fat and less than 20g protein.

Instant Pot Creamy Spinach and Chicken Pasta Recipe:

• 12 oz. raw chicken breast, cubed
• 8 oz. dry pasta (I used Gigli shape from Shop Rite)
• 100g chopped onion
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 4 cup raw spinach
• 1 tbsp basil paste
• 2 cups fat free, lower sodium chicken broth
• 2 oz. part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 oz. (half-package) 1/3 less fat cream cheese (I used Philadelphia)
• 1/2 cup 2% reduced fat milk (I used Fairlife)
• Salt & pepper to taste

First, set up your instant pot and set to saute. Lightly spray your pot with non-stick cooking spray and add in the chicken, onion and garlic – season liberally with salt and pepper. You want to brown the chicken on all sides and cook down the onion. Once your chicken is browned (not fully cooked), add the basil and pasta. Add around 2 cups of chicken broth – you will want this to cover MOST of your pasta (but down drown it).

Once your broth is added, place the lid on the instant pot and set manual heat to 5 minutes (make sure your valve is closed). Once the instant pot beeps that the 5 minutes is up, let the pot sit on manual release for 5 minutes, then quick release the rest of the air from the pot. When you open the pot, most of the broth should be gone (absorbed by the pasta).

Next, stir in your cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, milk and spinach. Stir until the spinach is wilted and the other ingredients are combined. As the recipe sits, it will thicken even more.

This recipe makes 4 HUGE servings of ~375g each.

As always, you can make this recipe fit your macros by:

• Reduce the amount of pasta, or replace a portion of the pasta with additional veggies (if you do this, you’ll want to reduce the amount of broth as well)
• Instead of the mozzarella cheese, you can swap out for Parmesan cheese or even fat free cheese varieties
• Make this into more of a mac & cheese by swapping for elbow pasta and adding dry ranch powder seasoning
• Instead of chicken, swap for ground turkey or lean beef, leave out the shredded cheese, and add tomato basil sauce for more of a “Hamburger Helper” feel

The main part of the work here was cutting and measuring my ingredients and briefly (maybe 4-5 minutes) sauteing the chicken before adding the pasta. Otherwise, it was pretty hands off and would make for a delicious week night dinner that you DON’T have to make in advance.

Besides my picky child (eye roll), I think this would also be something the WHOLE family would love – kids and picky spouses alike.

VIVA LA CARBS (until baby comes, at least). Give it a try and let me know what you think!