Chef Maxime here, and I learned early that the best family dinner ideas are the ones that make everyone’s eyes light up when they see what’s on the table.
My grandmother used to make loaded baked potatoes topped with everything delicious, and some nights she’d add chicken and turn it into a full meal. She’d say, “Maxime, when you combine comfort and protein in one dish, nobody leaves hungry.”
This Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole is my modern take on that memory, designed for busy families who want lazy dinners that still feel special. It uses tender chicken breast recipes boneless or chicken thighs, creamy potatoes, and all the “loaded” toppings—minus the pork and bacon.
Everything cooks together in the Instant Pot, making it one of the easiest quick chicken breast recipes you can pull off on a weeknight.
This recipe fits perfectly into easy chicken casserole territory, though it skips the classic ritz cracker chicken casserole or ritz chicken casserole approach in favor of a lighter, creamier finish. It’s designed as a complete one-pot solution for meals with chicken that doesn’t require multiple dishes or complicated steps.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken cubes dry and toss with ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil. When hot, add seasoned chicken in single layer and sear 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Add diced onion and garlic; cook 1-2 minutes. Press Cancel.
- Pour chicken broth into pot and scrape bottom with wooden spoon to release browned bits. Add potato cubes on top of chicken in even layer. Sprinkle with remaining garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Do not stir.
- Lock lid and set valve to Sealing. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook High for 7 minutes. When timer beeps, quick release pressure by turning valve to Venting. Open lid when pin drops.
- Switch to Sauté-Low mode. Gently stir chicken and potatoes together. In small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt and milk until smooth, then fold into pot gently. Add 1 cup shredded cheese and stir until melted. If too thick, add splash of milk.
- Turn off heat. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Close lid (unsealed) for 2 minutes to melt cheese. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Calories: 385 Protein: 32 g Servings people: 6
Summary
Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole layers bite-sized chicken pieces and cubed potatoes in the pressure cooker with broth and simple seasonings. After a quick pressure cook, you stir in Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheese, and green onions to create that signature “loaded” flavor. The result is creamy, satisfying, and high in protein—perfect for family dinner ideas and lazy dinners alike.
Unlike traditional ritz cracker chicken casserole recipes that bake in the oven, this version uses the Instant Pot for speed and convenience, making it one of the best quick chicken breast recipes for busy households.
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small bowl for mixing seasonings
Ingredients
Serves 6:
Protein and base
- 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 lb Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken brothifoodreal+1
Aromatics and seasonings
- 1 medium onion, diced (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt (divided)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Creamy finish
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream
- ½ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant milk)
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- ½ cup sliced green onions
Optional toppings
- Extra cheese
- Chopped parsley
- Smoked paprika
Directions
Step 1: Season the chicken
Pat chicken cubes dry. Toss with ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside.
Step 2: Sauté for flavor
Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil. When hot, add seasoned chicken in single layer. Sear 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Add diced onion and garlic; cook 1-2 minutes. Press Cancel.
Step 3: Layer potatoes
Pour chicken broth into pot. Scrape bottom with wooden spoon to release browned bits. Add potato cubes on top of chicken in even layer. Sprinkle with remaining garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Do not stir.
Step 4: Pressure cook
Lock lid and set valve to Sealing. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook High for 7 minutes. When timer beeps, quick release pressure by turning valve to Venting. Open lid when pin drops.
Step 5: Make it creamy
Switch to Sauté-Low mode. Gently stir chicken and potatoes. In small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt and milk until smooth. Fold into pot gently. Add 1 cup shredded cheese and stir until melted. If too thick, add splash of milk.
Step 6: Add toppings and serve
Turn off heat. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Close lid (unsealed) for 2 minutes to melt. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve hot.
Tips and Variations
Make this Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole fit your family dinner ideas:
- Use chicken thighs instead: Swap in boneless chicken thigh recipes for juicier, more forgiving results. Cook same time.
- Add vegetables: Stir in frozen broccoli, peas, or corn after pressure cooking for extra nutrition.
- Make it lighter: Use non-fat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cheese; it’s still creamy and satisfying.
- Spicy version: Add cayenne pepper or jalapeños with the seasonings.
- Ritz-style topping: For ritz cracker chicken casserole fans, transfer to broiler-safe dish, top with crushed crackers and butter, broil 3 minutes.
- Meal prep: Portion into containers; refrigerate 4 days or freeze 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1/6 recipe):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 kcal |
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Nutritional Highlights
Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole delivers serious protein from chicken and Greek yogurt, making it more filling than traditional easy chicken casserole recipes. Potatoes provide complex carbs and potassium. Using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream cuts saturated fat while boosting protein.
This combination supports muscle maintenance and sustained energy, perfect for active families looking for balanced meals with chicken that don’t feel heavy.
Dietitian Tips
Use this casserole strategically in your family dinner ideas:
- Pair with large green salad or steamed vegetables for balanced meal
- Choose low-sodium broth if monitoring sodium intake
- Serve smaller portion with extra vegetables for lighter dinner
- Add extra protein with more chicken for post-workout meals
FAQs « 6 Frequently Asked Questions »
1. Can I use frozen chicken for this Instant Pot recipe?
Yes. Add 2-3 extra minutes to pressure cook time. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.ifoodreal
2. What’s the difference between this and ritz cracker chicken casserole?
Traditional ritz cracker chicken casserole bakes in the oven with cracker topping. This pressure cooker version is faster and lighter, though you can add crackers under the broiler if desired.
3. Can I make this with chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Chicken thigh recipes work perfectly here—they stay juicier under pressure. Use same cook time.
4. How do I prevent the “Burn” warning?
Always deglaze pot after sautéing. Use wooden spoon to scrape bottom. Layer potatoes without stirring. Ensure ½-1 cup liquid in pot.
5. Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Add carrots with potatoes, or stir in frozen vegetables after pressure cooking.
6. Is this recipe dairy-free compatible?
Use dairy-free yogurt alternative, plant milk, and vegan cheese. Texture changes slightly but remains creamy.
Conclusion
This Instant Pot Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole proves that lazy dinners can still be satisfying and nourishing. It combines the comfort of loaded baked potatoes with the protein of quick chicken breast recipes, all in one pot with minimal cleanup. Whether you’re looking for easy chicken casserole options, new chicken breast recipes boneless, or simply need reliable family dinner ideas, this recipe delivers every time.
Unlike heavier ritz chicken casserole versions, this lighter approach uses Greek yogurt for creaminess while keeping protein high and saturated fat lower. Make it part of your regular meals with chicken rotation and enjoy the simplicity.
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