Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe! Chicken parmesan pasta made in the Instant Pot is an easy pressure cooker dinner that turns pasta and chicken breast into a quick, one pot meal!
Chicken parmesan is a favorite for a reason! The combination of the cheese, tomato sauce, chicken, and pasta is hard to resist.
The traditional chicken parmesan recipe can be messy and time-consuming, so I made this Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe weeknight-friendly.
It's an easy meal that's made with simple ingredients. Everything is cooked right in the inner pot, so there's minimal cleanup. Plus, the entire dinner only takes about 30 minutes to make.
All of which make this a great recipe to have for whenever you need a quick dinner!
Ingredient notes
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you prefer.
- Pasta: I like to use penne pasta in this recipe. However, you can use a similar shape of pasta, like ziti.
- Marinara: Use a good sauce that you like because it will add most of the flavor for this pasta.
How to make Instant Pot chicken parmesan pasta
Step 1: Press SAUTE. When hot, add olive oil to coat inner pot.
Step 2: Stir in chicken. Sauté chicken, stirring regularly, until cooked through to 165F, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and basil. Cook, stirring regularly, for 30 seconds.
Step 4: Press CANCEL. Remove cooked chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Step 5: Add the pasta to the now empty inner pot.
Step 6: Fill with enough water to cover the pasta by 1-2 inches. Cover and lock lid in place. Turn the pressure release valve to the sealing position.
Step 7: Cook. Carefully do a quick release by turning the pressure release valve to VENTING.
Step 8: Drain the pasta. Press sauté. While the pasta is draining, return the chicken to the inner pot.
Step 9: Add the spaghetti sauce, and heat through, stirring regularly, for 1-2 minutes. Press cancel.
Step 10: Stir in drained pasta.
Step 11: Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Top with basil just before serving.
Tips
- Pasta: Depending on the type of pasta that you use, you may find that you need to adjust the cooking time. A good rule of thumb is to cook the pasta for half of the time given on the pasta box.
- Chicken: I cut the chicken into ½-1" pieces.
- Cheese: Feel free to omit the cheese if you're dairy free. Or feel free to add more cheese if you prefer cheesier pasta.
Storage
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftover pasta will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored.
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast in bite-sized pieces
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dry sweet basil
- 12-16 ounces dry shaped pasta like penne pasta
- 26 ounce jar marinara sauce
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Press SAUTE.
- When hot, add olive oil to coat inner pot.
- Stir in chicken.
- Cook, stirring regularly, until cooked through to 165F, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and basil.
- Cook, stirring regularly, for 30 seconds.
- Press CANCEL.
- Remove cooked chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Add the pasta to the now empty inner pot.
- Fill with enough water to cover the pasta by 1-2 inches.
- Cover and lock lid in place.
- Turn pressure release valve to sealing.
- Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Carefully quickly release the pressure by turning the pressure release valve to venting.
- Drain the pasta.
- Press sauté.
- While the pasta is draining, return the chicken to the inner pot.
- Add the spaghetti sauce, and heat through, stirring regularly, for 1-2 minutes.
- Press cancel.
- Add the drained pasta, and give it a good stir.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. If you want the cheese to melt quickly, set the lid on top of the pot but don't lock.
- Top with basil just before serving.
Notes
- Pasta: Depending on the type of pasta that you use, you may find that you need to adjust the cooking time. A good rule of thumb is to cook the pasta for half of the time given on the pasta box.
- Chicken: I cut the chicken into ½-1" pieces.
- Cheese: Feel free to omit the cheese if you're dairy free. Or feel free to add more cheese if you prefer cheesier pasta.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Erin
I didn’t remove the chicken. Added 40 oz. Jar of marinara and 8 oz of water…could use stock and it came out fine.
Kate
Good! Glad to hear that!
Smokin Joe Greenup
Tried this tonight. Delicious and simple to make. Thanks for sharing.
Kate
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!
Amy
My family loved it! It's a new favourite!
Kate
Thank you!
Eric
It doesn't make any sense to make this in an instant pot. It would take half the time to do it normally.
Kate
You're certainly welcome to make it another way, but I love the convenience of being able to make this entirely in one pot and not having to babysit pasta on the stove.
Lily
Love it! The leftovers were good too.
Kate
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.
Paula
My picky eaters gobbled this up. Thanks for sharing!
Kate
Yay! I'm glad it was a hit!
Kelly
Did you
Mean searing or sealing?
Kate
Hi! Depending on the model of Instant Pot, you may need to turn the pressure release valve to the sealing position.
Sarah
Love! This is going on the rotation!
Kate
Thanks! Glad you liked it!