Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan brings an Italian classic right to your kitchen in a quick and easy way. With tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection and topped with delicious marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, it’s a dish that the whole family will love. Plus, using the Instant Pot means you can make this meal even faster than traditional methods.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. It combines simple ingredients and cooking techniques to create a flavorful meal in under an hour. Using the Instant Pot also ensures that the chicken stays juicy while absorbing all the delicious flavors from the sauce. It’s a comforting dish that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Follow these steps to make a delicious Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan.
Ingredients:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts* (thinly sliced)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade (1 jar))
- 1½ cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti (for serving (1 box))
Directions:
- Ensure the chicken breasts are thin. If needed, slice the chicken breasts in half to create thinner pieces, or place the breasts between parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound them thin.
- Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt to a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag. Gently toss the bottom of the bag with your fingers to combine.
- Add in the chicken, seal the bag, and shake to coat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button.
- Once heated, sauté the chicken breasts for a couple of minutes on each side until browned. It’s best to do this in 2 batches, adding in more oil if needed between batches. Remove chicken from the pan.
- Pour the chicken broth into the Instant Pot, scraping up the brown bits at the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the marinara sauce. Then, add in the chicken, covering each piece in sauce the best you can.
- Press cancel and set the timer to cook for 8 minutes on the Manual setting.
- At the end of the cook time, release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes. Then, release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the chicken breasts. Place the lid on again for a couple of minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Serve the chicken breasts on a bed of your favorite pasta.
How to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Serve your Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan hot over a generous portion of cooked spaghetti. You can add extra marinara sauce on top and sprinkle with some fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
How to Store Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Store any leftover Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing the chicken in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when you are ready to enjoy it again.
Tips to Make Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
- Use thinly sliced chicken breast to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t skip the browning step; it adds great flavor to the dish.
- Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, like provolone or parmesan, for added flavor.
- If you want some extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.
Variation
You can make a healthier version by using zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti. This keeps the dish lighter while still being delicious. You can also substitute the chicken with eggplant or tofu for a vegetarian option.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Increase the cooking time to about 12-15 minutes to ensure they’re cooked through.
2. Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can. You can cook the chicken in a skillet and then add the marinara sauce and cheese to simmer until cooked through.
3. What can I serve with Chicken Parmesan?
It goes well with a side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced Slice in half or pound thin if necessary.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 tbsp for chicken and 2 tbsp for sautéing.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Store-bought or homemade.
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 24 ounces marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade.
- 1.5 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti For serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Ensure the chicken breasts are thin. Slice them in half if needed or pound them thin between parchment paper.
- Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- In a gallon-sized sealable plastic bag, add the flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Gently toss to combine.
- Add the chicken to the bag, seal it, and shake to coat.
Cooking
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot and press the Sauté button.
- Once heated, sauté the chicken breasts for a couple of minutes on each side until browned, in batches if necessary.
- Remove the chicken from the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and add the chicken, coating each piece in the sauce.
- Press cancel and set the timer to cook for 8 minutes on the Manual setting.
- At the end of the cook time, release the pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Place the lid on again for a couple of minutes until the cheese has melted.
Serving
- Serve the chicken breasts hot over a generous portion of cooked spaghetti.
