One pot instant pot chicken parmesan is a simple weeknight dinner that your family will love! The delicious Italian flavors will fill your kitchen up fast - you'll swear you are at Olive Garden or your favorite Italian restaurant. Healthy, filling, delicious and done in 30 minutes.
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Chicken is a weeknight staple in our home (like our favorite air fryer chicken) but if you're short on time instant pot chicken parmesan will be a super simple choice for an easy dinner!
The Instant Pot is a magical device that needs it's own spot in our kitchen during the school year! Busy weeknights mean we're serving up meatballs, hamburger helper, or any other number of delicious recipes we have here.
This is not your typical version. Our favorite way to eat it is as a sandwich (which is why we cube it!) and serve with a side of garlic green beans or air fryer broccoli.
Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy comfort food that is quick and easy to make - great for busy weeknights!
- Family friendly - my super picky kids ate this up with no questions!
- Great for various dietary considerations - it is gluten free, Keto and low carb as written.
- Delicious to make into baked sandwiches - this helps to stretch the recipe from 2 to 4 servings.
- Totally versatile! Add in your favorite veggies, cheese and use whatever sauce your family likes best.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Chicken: Cutlets, tenders or thighs are excellent choices for meat.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and parmesan are the classic cheeses for this recipe.
How to Make This Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Heat oil on Saute mode. Season chicken and coat thoroguhly.
Once heated, add cubes to pot and saute for 3 or so minutes, stirring constantly and making sure no pieces get stuck to the bottom.
Add sauce and coat all pieces thoroughly. Follow cooking instructions per the recipe card and watch the video to see how I make this into a delicious sandwich.
Expert Tips
- Serving ideas: Add to lavash bread, flat bread or pita pockets to make a yummy sandwich. Also delicious to serve over zoodles, pasta like spaghetti, penne, tortellini, or with rice or potatoes.
- Use an instant read thermometer to ensure you cook the chicken to 165F - this is especially important if it was frozen.
- To avoid the burn notice, ensure that you have enough sauce and even add a quarter cup of broth or water if your sauce is super thick.
- Check your sealing ring and steam valve to be sure they are securely in place (the steam valve should be marked as sealed) prior to cooking.
- Recipe is for 2 servings if not making sandwiches. If making baked sandwiches, this recipe should serve 3-4.
- If serving with noodles be sure to cook the noodles separately. Cooking the noodles in the pressure cooker will not work with this recipe.
- Reheat in the oven at 350F or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- This lighter recipe is made without breadcrumbs but if you are looking for a classic version, try this recipe for chicken parm. Both are healthy versions of the classic fried favorite!
FAQs
To make this without an instant pot, chicken can be sautéed in in a pan with 2 tablespoon olive oil and spices for 3 minutes. Coat with a covering of pasta sauce.
Let it simmer over medium-low heat in sauce via skillet for approximately 5 minutes or until cooked through. Always make sure your chicken is cooked to 165 degrees before serving.
Yes, recipe as written is low carb. Serve with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash or eat as is for lower carbs.
Yes, you can make it with frozen chicken. You still need to cube it and be sure that it cooks to 165F temp to ensure that it's done cooking and safe to eat.
This recipe for Mediterranean Chicken would work well for making this recipe in the oven. Once the chicken is seared add it to a baking dish and cover with sauce. You can add cheese in during the final few minutes of cooking to melt.
Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 oz marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Basil chiffonade
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat up your pressure cooker: hit Saute and adjust to "more". Wait until Instant Pot reads "HOT"
- Add olive oil to Instant Pot, add chicken and saute for 3 or so minutes, stirring constantly. Be careful not to leave any parts stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Hit cancel to stop saute mode.
- Add enough sauce to cover the chicken. Coat chicken thoroughly by stirring.
- Close Instant Pot lid and cook on manual pressure for 4 minutes on high. Let release naturally for 10 minutes then turn off. Release remaining pressure (be mindful not to put your hand or face near spout). Once released, open the lid.
- Chicken can be served over zoodles with basil and ¼ cup mozzarella cheese sprinkled over top. Let chicken mixture rest in Instant Pot on "keep warm" mode if sauce is too thin upon completion.
- For baked sandwiches, spoon half of the chicken mixture into lavash or other flat bread. Sprinkle each serving with ¼ cup mozzarella cheese and basil. Bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Autumn
This looks so easy and delicious. Thanks for this recipe as it looks like a keeper!
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Thanks Autumn! Hope you enjoy it!
The Southern Thing
I need to try this! I love cooking in the Instant Pot!
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I do too! Makes my life so much easier 🙂
Leah
Love my instant pot! This looks AMAZING! I can't wait to try it!
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Instant Pot for the win!!! thanks Leah!
kara
Instant pot recipes are amazing! This looks so good too!
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I love my Instant Pot! Thanks for checking it out Kara!
This Mum At Home
mmmmmmmmmmm looks so yummy! Ill be adding this to my meal plan this week!
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hope you love it!!! It's on regular rotation around here!
Holly
Wow, this looks so good! Chicken parm is one of my favorite meals. I've been trying to eat healthier lately, so I really want to try this...also love how easy it looks to make!
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I love it too!! both the healthy and unhealthy versions LOL! glad you got a chance to check it out, thanks Holly!
Kelsie
I don't have an instant pot but this is making me soo hungry and looks sooo yummy!!
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You can definitely still make it without an Instant Pot!! But you need one too ha!
Kasey Gilsbach
Yum!!! I love chicken parm so I definitely have to give this a go!
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it's so good right?? Thanks Kasey!
Sarah Althouse
The fact that it is healthy AND made in an instant pot makes me already love it!
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I agree!! It's a double bonus!
Sara
This looks so yummy! I don't have an instant pot but have heard so many raving reviews...maybe it's time to get one!
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You definitely need one! I love mine!
Cassie |White Sands and Cool Breezes
This sounds so yummy. Don't have an instant pot so the stove top will have to work for now 🙂 I'll be trying this recipe soon. Thanks!
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glad you liked it Cassie!
Kristin's Peppermints and Cherries
Thank you for including the stove top directions for those of us without an Instant Pot! Your photos are great! It's only breakfast time, but I could be hungry for lunch before too long!
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you got it!! I know, it makes me so hungry too! Thanks Kristin!
Cait
oh my gosh yes! i def need to get an instant pot bc this look amazing!
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My instant pot is my best friend!! I def recommend one!
Ashley
This looks absolutely delicious! I love chicken parmesan, and I love finding easy, healthy alternatives for the foods I love most. Thanks so much for this!
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I agree! love lightening up not so healthy favorites!!
Katie Wilson
What scrumptious and tantilizing pictures! Putting this in a wrap is a great idea and affords all kinds of "dinner on the go" options. I often find with busy lives non-portable food seems to stay on my menu & ambition list rather than make it to our bellies. Thank you for sharing!
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You're right! Portability is definitely key! thanks Katie!