Check out our recipe for Instant Pot Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese!
You're either going to love or hate this recipe....because I used Velveeta to make it! I know...I know... Velveeta is not technically real cheese...but I LOVE it! Seriously, Velveeta shells and cheese are my go-to mac and cheese. It's not fancy... it's not gourmet by any means...but it's so creamy and good! So, when I decided to make chicken and broccoli mac and cheese I didn't even have to think about what kind of cheese I was going to use...Velveeta it is!!
Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is so quick and easy and one of the really nice things about this recipe is that you can cook EVERYTHING all together in the same pot! It's really quick, super easy, and only uses one pot! That's a win in my book!
Feel free to change up the recipe as you would like. You can easily add in other vegetables or change up the type of cheese or pasta that you use.
Tips for making Instant Pot Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese
Yes, you can. However, you will still need to cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes, otherwise, the chicken will not cook throughout during the time that it takes the pasta to cook. Large pieces of chicken and whole chicken breasts take substantially longer to cook than pasta does, so it is not recommended to use whole pieces of chicken.
Yes! You can double this recipe. When doubling, double all ingredients except the chicken broth. Instead of doubling the chicken broth, only add an additional 3 cups instead of 3.5 cups.
Technically, yes. But, the chicken broth adds so much extra flavor to the pasta. If you use water, the flavor will be more "watered down" and not as rich and delicious.
No problem! Simply use this calculation for al dente pasta: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
If you prefer your pasta cooked a little more: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 1. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 1. 5-1=4. Pressure cook for 4 minutes.
If you prefer your pasta completely cooked and tender: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Pressure cook for 5 minutes.
Yes! You can use whatever type of cheese you would like. It doesn't have to be Velveeta. Although, I would recommend that you stick with a mild and creamy cheese for this recipe.
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Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Instant Pot Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Butter- If you prefer, you can use margarine or light cooking oil.
Chicken Breasts- I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Cutting the chicken into 1-inch cubes ensures that the chicken will cook in the same amount of time as the pasta. I would not recommend using full chicken breasts for this recipe as a full chicken breast would need substantially longer to cook than pasta.
Salt and Pepper- Use to taste. If desired, both can be omitted.
Chicken Broth- Water can be used, but the beef broth adds extra flavor.
Pasta- I used penne pasta but you can use your favorite type of pasta for this recipe. I would recommend using short pasta instead of long pasta like spaghetti. If you are using a different shape of pasta, follow these instructions to determine the proper pressure cooking time: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
Broccoli- Cut into bite-sized pieces. I used fresh broccoli instead of frozen as frozen tends to add a lot of extra moisture to recipes. There is no need to pre-cook the broccoli. The steam from the cooked pasta will very quickly cook it once added to the pot.
Milk- I used whole milk but feel free to use skim, 1% or 2%. If you want it to be extra rich, you can even use heavy cream instead.
Velveeta- Use the Velveeta that comes in a block at the store. If you don't like Velveeta, you can substitute it with your favorite cheese instead. Cheddar or Colby Jack would be good substitutes. If using Velveeta, be sure to cut into small cubes. If using another type of cheese, shred first so that it melts quickly and evenly.
Directions for making Instant Pot Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese:
1. Turn Instant Pot on saute, high for 15 minutes.
2. Add the butter to the Instant Pot, once melted add the chicken.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper and saute chicken until it has lightly browned on all sides.
4. Once the chicken is lightly browned, pour in the pasta. Stir and lightly scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned chicken bits. If using a nonstick pot, use a silicone spatula.
5. Add the chicken broth on top. DO NOT STIR PASTA! Simply just push all of the pasta down, so most of it is covered by the liquid.
6. Close pressure cooking lid, and move valve to the seal position. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.
*If you are using a different shape of pasta, follow these instructions to determine the proper pressure cooking time: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
7. Once the timer beeps and the Instant Pot is finished pressure cooking, move the valve to the vent position and release the pressure. If a lot of liquid starts to come out of the Instant Pot, close the vent, wait 3-5 minutes and then try to release the pressure again. Continue to do this until all pressure has been released.
8. Add broccoli, and stir.
9. Add Velveeta cheese, and stir.
10. Add milk and stir until the Velveeta has fully melted.
11. It's time to eat! Enjoy!!
Pin recipe for later!!
Instant Pot Velveeta Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Chicken Breasts (Boneless Skinless-cut into 1-inch cubes)
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 3 ½ Cups Chicken Broth
- 16 Ounces Elbow Macaroni
- 1 Pound Broccoli (Cut into bite size pieces)
- ½ Cup Milk
- 12 Ounces Velveeta (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot on saute, high for 15 minutes.
- Add the butter to the Instant Pot, once melted add the chicken.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper and saute chicken until it has lightly browned on all sides.
- Once the chicken is lightly browned, pour in the pasta. Stir and lightly scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned chicken bits. If using a nonstick pot, use a silicone spatula.
- Add the chicken broth on top. DO NOT STIR PASTA! Simply just push all of the pasta down, so most of it is covered by the liquid.
- Close pressure cooking lid, and move valve to the seal position. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.*If you are using a different shape of pasta, follow these instructions to determine the proper pressure cooking time: Take the recommended cooking time that is on the box of pasta and divide by 2 and then subtract 2. Pressure cook for that many minutes. For example, if the box recommends 10 minutes of cook time, divide 10 by 2=5. Subtract 2. 5-2=3. Pressure cook for 3 minutes.
- Once the timer beeps and the Instant Pot is finished pressure cooking, move the valve to the vent position and release the pressure. If a lot of liquid starts to come out of the Instant Pot, close the vent, wait 3-5 minutes and then try to release the pressure again. Continue to do this until all pressure has been released.
- Add broccoli, and stir.
- Add Velveeta cheese, and stir.
- Add milk and stir until the Velveeta has fully melted.
- It's time to eat! Enjoy!!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only.
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Leila
Very tasty, however I would put the broccoli in with the pasta and pressure cook it. I cut mine up very tiny and it was still very very crunchy.