Description
This Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe combines the rich flavors of classic chicken Parmesan with the convenience of one-pot cooking. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with Italian herbs and sautéed, then cooked together with penne pasta, marinara sauce, and zesty Italian dressing for a hearty, cheesy meal that’s ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup zesty Italian dressing
Cheese
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, dried basil, oregano, and rosemary to infuse them with classic Italian flavors.
- Sauté Chicken in Instant Pot: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and melt the butter. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked through. This step locks in flavor and creates a tasty crust.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Remove the chicken briefly and add uncooked penne pasta over the sautéed bits in the pot. Pour in the marinara sauce, chicken broth, and zesty Italian dressing. Stir gently to combine and spread the pasta evenly.
- Return Chicken to Pot: Place the browned chicken breasts on top of the pasta mixture, ensuring some sauce covers the chicken for moist cooking.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. This cooks the pasta perfectly while gently cooking the chicken through.
- Release Pressure and Add Cheese: After cooking, carefully quick release the pressure. Open the lid and sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the hot pasta and chicken. Close the lid and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes using the warm setting.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot for a comforting, cheesy meal that combines the best of chicken Parmesan and pasta in one pot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts briefly in the Italian dressing before cooking.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to better control salt content.
- Feel free to swap penne for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the microwave.
- Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give this dish a nice spicy kick.
