Name: Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (see Notes); Cajun seasoning (to taste); 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 ½ cups holy trinity (see Notes); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or 3 cups chicken broth + 1 cup water); 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain); 1 cup uncooked ditalini (or similar small pasta); 1 cup heavy cream (at room temperature; or half and half, at room temperature); 1 cup grated fresh parmesan (at room temperature); chopped green onions

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Our reader-favorite Cajun chicken pasta soup, adapted into an easy Instant Pot recipe! This variation has everything you love about the original – the rich flavors, the simple ingredients, the creamy broth – for a satisfying, filling, super delicious one-pot meal.

Overhead view of a bowl of Instant Pot creamy cajun chicken pasta soup on a wooden table.

🔥 What Makes This Recipe So Good

If you’re a fan of our stovetop cajun chicken pasta soup, then you’ll definitely love this Instant Pot version. It has all the ingredients and features you love about Cajun chicken pasta, but in soup-form. Plus, this variation is made in one pot instead of two, and you don’t need a stove to do it! Great if you’re batching meals for the week (or the freezer) and don’t have unlimited stove space, or if you just feel like doing a fewer dishes tonight.
The flavors in this soup are deliciously deep and rich, and you only need a few ingredients to pull it off! If you look at the ingredients list, you might be thinking “Cheryl, where are all the spices? You only use Cajun seasoning.” Cajun seasoning is a blend of black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Depending on the brand you use, you might also have mustard powder, chili powder, or cumin in yours. So it’s true we “only” use Cajun seasoning, but that’s because of all the spices that go into it in the first place. Beyond that, we also use fresh ingredients to flavor the soup. It starts out with the holy trinity – a combination of onion, bell pepper, and celery – and from there we add fresh garlic and diced tomatoes. Round it out with savory broth and cheesy Parmesan, and there’s really a whole lot going on here.

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips

Be sure to use chicken breasts that are even in size and thickness so they cook at the same rate! I like to use 4 4-ounce chicken breasts, or 2 8-ounce chicken breasts sliced into thin cutlets. That way there’s plenty of surface area to season, plus they’re thin enough to cook through quickly. Chicken tenders will also work!
Make sure your heavy cream and parmesan are at room temperature before you add them into the Instant Pot! Cajun chicken pasta soup is so good partly because of how creamy it is, so the dairy ingredients are really important. If they’re cold or even just cool, they can seize or curdle in the hot liquid.
Don’t use pre-grated parmesan. The pre-packaged shredded and grated cheeses you get at the store have starches added to keep them from clumping while they’re on the shelf. Those fillers can keep the cheese from melting like it’s supposed to, making the Instant Pot cajun chicken pasta soup gritty or grainy. Instead, buy a wedge of parmesan and grate it yourself. I promise, it’s worth the time and effort!