The other day, I was with my new nephew and that silly “On Top Of Spaghetti All Covered With Cheese” song came on…and I was inspired. Now while that song features meatballs, I wanted to focus on the cheese part and add chicken, chives and a touch of cream. And seeing as I love alliteration, I call it the Four Cs Spaghetti.
Think of it as Cacio e Pepe making love to Mac & Cheese. This spaghetti isn’t only a cinch with minimal work thanks to the Instant Pot, it’s a true crowd pleaser that the whole family can enjoy.
Instant Pot Four Cs Spaghetti (Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Chive)
Yield: 6
Four Cs Spaghetti
The other day, I was with my new nephew and that silly "On Top Of Spaghetti All Covered With Cheese" song came on...and I was inspired. Now while that song features meatballs, I wanted to focus on the cheese part and add chicken, chives and a touch of cream. And seeing as I love alliteration, I call it the Four Cs Spaghetti.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
8 minutes
Additional Time
5 minutes
Total Time
18 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, divided
- 1 1/2 - 2 pounds chicken boneless/skinless breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 cups chicken or garlic broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 bunches chives, thinly sliced with some reserved for topping
Instructions
- Add 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of the butter to the Instant Pot. Hit Sauté and Adjust so it's on the More or High setting. Once melted, add the chicken and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is pinkish-white in color (it should not be fully cooked).
- Add the broth, break the Spaghetti over it and add layer it in a crisscross fashion but do not stir. Top with the remaining 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of butter, cut into a few pieces for even distribution over the pasta.
- Secure the lid and hit Cancel followed by Manual or Pressure Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release when done.
- Add in the cheeses and stir until well combined. Add the sour cream and stir until melded. Let rest for 5 minutes as the sauce will thicken up from the heat.
- Lastly, add in the chives and give it a final stir. Top with additional chives and additional grated Parmesan, if desired.
Jeffrey's Tips
If you want to sub chicken sausage (or Italian sausage) for the chicken, go for it! Everything remains as is in the recipe.
If you want this with meatballs, skip the sautéing in Step 1, add in about 1 1/2 pounds of frozen meatballs instead and then continue with Step 2, but top the spaghetti with 4 tablespoons of the butter instead of 2 since we didn't add it in Step 1.
While I suggest the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, you can swap the Mozzarella with shredded Gouda, Swiss, Colby Jack or a Mexican/taco blend!
msSally
Oh wow! Yet another one to add to my list of “I’ve got to make” recipes!
Jeffrey – you keep me going.
Sun
Really tempted to try this! I will need to substitute regular pasta with hearts of palm (doing keto). In your opinion do you think it would change the sauce thickness? TIS
John Kelley
Grande kids came to visit and went ballistic for this masterpiece.
Thanks
EW
ballistic grandkids sound very dangerous :>)
Di
I’m sure it’s delicious! How many calories? 😉
Noneofyourbusiness
Why don’t you go to one of those websites where you can enter the ingredients and it will tell you?
Jodi
I grow chives …. this ones a must make
John
This is delicious! Super easy to make, my husband and son loved it. Me too! Added to the weekly menu. Great recipe. Adding asparagus to it next time out.
Jennifer
Oh my. Another absolutely perfect recipe.
I had to do a few substitutions because I live in Belgium (gouda instead of cheddar, pecorino romano instead of parmesan) and I cut the recipe in ~half. It was still incredible!!
Thanks again, Jeffrey!
Linda
Sounds fabulous. If I wanted to use just 8 oz. of pasta, would I reduce the broth to half the amount as well?
Kimberly
I made this recipe recently and I have to say WOW so delish!! I have a son with special needs he can no longer eat red sauce but loves spaghetti so I normally make Alfredo for him but he chowed down on this so thank you so much for this recipe!!My picky teenage daughter loves this too!! Win for this Mom!! ♥️
Rose
How do you keep the cheeses from clumping. Same with Mac and cheese. I have your videos going for the step by step. Thanks
Bill
Stop using bagged pre shredded cheese…
Leona Bartram Streva
This sounds great!!! Going to try it using zoodles instead of pasta – have a gluten intolerant and diabetic to feed. Thank you Jeffrey
msSally
Oh yes! I’ve got to try this. I have some mushroom on hand I need to use, what do you think about adding those in?
msSally
Do you think adding mushrooms to this would be good?
Brittany
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Beth Russum
I work night shift and found this recipe. I knew I had most of the ingredients so was anxious to try it. Didn’t have regular cheddar. Had to use Velveeta cheddar. I also added some Rotel for a little kick. Didn’t have any chives. It was delish!!
Heather Marshburn
Another winner, Jeff! I think next time I’ll add frozen broccoli at the end. Will make this again!
Kathi
We tried this and it was delicious, however, I cook for two and there was so much leftover. Is it possible to cut the recipe in half, and if so, will the cooking time change?
Jeffrey
You’ll want my Super Shortcut book (the green cover) for the answer!
Jaime
In the words of my 15 year old son “the only bad thing about this dinner is there aren’t any leftovers”. I think that just about says it all! Thanks so much, it’s a keeper.
Jeffrey
That’s all I needed to hear!
TJ
thank you, thank you…my 7 YO gives it a “googleplex out of 10” 🤣
Jeffrey
I don’t think I could receive a better review than that!
Jackie Ward
I have a granddaughter who is a vegetarian. She and her wife would love this if I made it without chicken. Do I reduce any of the liquid?
Jeffrey
Nope! Enjoy!
Beffy
Another meal that hubby loved…and me, too! I did a recipe for 1-2. I used Linguine, Italian sausage (Cooked like your Wholesale Pasta Recipe), and I added grape tomatoes, also from that recipe…YUM! Who would have thought Colby Jack cheese as a pasta sauce? Four Thumbs Up! I will have to post a photo of leftovers on your Facebook … or message to you!
Jeffrey
SO glad!
Luci
assume I can double without any changes??? Making for the firefighters at grandson’s station.
Jeffrey
Doubling pasta can be tricky sometimes – especially spaghetti. But give it a go!
Barbara Brizendine
Make it in two separate batches and then combine into the pot on warm, if uncertain about doing it in one batch.