This Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers. Creamy, cheesy, and filled with tender chicken, it combines everything you love about chicken parm into one delicious, one-pot dish and it’s ready in just 20 minutes!
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving some ultimate comfort food, this recipe has you covered. No mess, no fuss, and no compromise on flavor. It’s like bringing your favorite Italian restaurant right into your kitchen, with half the effort and all the joy.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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2 cups marinara sauce
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3 cups chicken broth
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12 oz penne pasta
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ cup heavy cream
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Fresh basil for garnish
Directions:
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Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add olive oil and the chicken pieces. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until chicken is lightly browned.
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Turn off ‘Sauté’ mode. Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth and give everything a gentle stir.
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Add penne pasta on top but do not stir. Gently press the pasta into the liquid with a spatula to mostly submerge.
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Close the lid, seal the valve, and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Allow a 5-minute natural pressure release, then quick release the remaining pressure.
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Open the lid and stir well. Add heavy cream, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and everything is creamy.
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Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta: The Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal
There’s something undeniably comforting about a big bowl of cheesy, saucy pasta and when you bring together the classic flavors of chicken parmesan with the convenience of an Instant Pot, you’ve got a weeknight dinner that ticks all the boxes. Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is everything you love about the iconic Italian-American dish but with a modern, simplified twist that makes it perfect for busy home cooks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If your household is anything like mine, weeknights can be hectic. Whether it’s school schedules, late work meetings, or just general exhaustion, having a reliable, quick-fix dinner recipe that doesn’t sacrifice flavor is a lifesaver. That’s where this Instant Pot Chicken Parm Pasta comes in.
✔️ It’s a one-pot meal, so clean-up is minimal.
✔️ It’s packed with flavorful, tender chicken, a rich tomato base, and the gooey goodness of melted cheese.
✔️ It cooks in under 30 minutes, from start to finish.
✔️ It’s a crowd-pleaser for both adults and picky eaters.
✔️ You can easily customize it to your taste – make it spicy, add more veggies, or even make it gluten-free.
A Delicious Twist on a Classic
Traditional Chicken Parmesan usually involves breaded and fried chicken breasts, layered with marinara and cheese, and baked until bubbly. It’s a beloved dish, but it’s also time-consuming, requires multiple dishes, and isn’t always ideal for weeknight cooking.
By turning this dish into a pasta recipe using the Instant Pot, you skip the frying and baking, yet still retain all the familiar flavors: garlic, herbs, tomato sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese. The pasta soaks up all the juices and flavor as it cooks, making every bite rich and satisfying.
What’s more, because the pasta is pressure cooked, it achieves that perfect al dente texture in just a few minutes, and the chicken stays juicy and flavorful, not dry or stringy.
Key Ingredients That Make This Dish Shine
Chicken Breast: We use bite-sized pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts here. You can also substitute with chicken thighs if you prefer a more flavorful, slightly fattier cut.
Pasta: Penne is the go-to pasta for this recipe, but feel free to use rigatoni, rotini, or even elbows. Just keep in mind that pasta shapes may cook slightly differently, so adjust the time as needed.
Marinara Sauce: Choose a high-quality marinara sauce as it’s the flavor base of this dish. You can go with homemade or store-bought, just make sure it’s rich and well-seasoned.
Chicken Broth: This helps build the pressure in the Instant Pot while infusing extra depth into the pasta. You could also use vegetable broth or water in a pinch.
Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese: What’s Chicken Parm without cheese? Mozzarella brings the melt, while Parmesan adds sharpness and depth. Adding them in at the end ensures they stay creamy and stringy.
Heavy Cream: A small splash of cream at the end brings it all together, adding a velvety, restaurant-quality finish.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Chicken Parm Pasta
1. Don’t Stir After Adding Pasta: Once you add the pasta, gently press it down into the liquid, but don’t stir. Stirring can cause it to stick to the bottom and trigger the Instant Pot’s “burn” warning.
2. Use Natural Pressure Release: A short natural release (about 5 minutes) helps prevent hot sauce or pasta from spewing out during quick release. It’s safer and results in better texture.
3. Let It Rest: After adding the cheese and cream, give the pasta 5 minutes to rest. It thickens up, and the sauce clings beautifully to every bite.
4. Add Veggies (Optional): Feel free to toss in some baby spinach, mushrooms, or diced zucchini after pressure cooking, the residual heat will soften them just enough.
5. Spice It Up: Want a little kick? Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce before serving.
Perfect for Meal Prep or Leftovers
This dish stores beautifully in the fridge and makes a great next-day lunch. In fact, many people say it tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Simply store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
You can even freeze portions for later, just be sure to use a freezer-safe container and thaw before reheating.
Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing
One of the best things about this recipe is how much everyone loves it. Kids love the creamy, cheesy texture and familiar pasta flavors. Adults love that it feels like a warm, satisfying meal without being too heavy. It’s a solid choice for casual dinner parties, potlucks, or even bringing a dish to a friend in need.
And if you’re serving a large family, the recipe can be easily doubled (just make sure your Instant Pot has the capacity).
Variations to Try
Looking to shake things up? Here are a few fun variations:
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Spicy Chicken Parm Pasta: Add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños.
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Vegetable Boosted: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers.
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Low-Carb Option: Use spiralized zucchini (zoodles) or chickpea pasta.
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Gluten-Free: Simply use gluten-free pasta – keep an eye on cooking time.
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Buffalo Chicken Parm Pasta: Add a splash of buffalo sauce for a tangy twist.
A Weeknight Winner
Whether you’re cooking for your family or simply need something quick and comforting after a long day, this Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is one of those go-to recipes that you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s cozy, hearty, and soul-satisfying, everything a good comfort food dish should be, but without the extra work.
Conclusion
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is more than just a quick dinner; it’s a stress-free solution to end your day with something truly comforting. From the bold flavors of garlic and herbs to the luscious, cheesy finish, this dish checks every box: fast, flavorful, and incredibly easy.
So, grab your Instant Pot, toss in the ingredients, and in under 30 minutes you’ll have a delicious, warm meal on the table that everyone will rave about. Whether it’s a cozy winter night, a busy weekday, or just a pasta craving you can’t ignore, this is the recipe you’ll want to keep in your rotation.
Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes one of your most-requested family meals. After all, nothing beats a bowl of saucy, cheesy pasta, especially when it’s this easy to make.