Description
Instant pot chicken parmesan delivers a classic Italian-American favorite with tender, juicy chicken smothered in marinara and melted cheese. Home cooks can easily create this restaurant-style dish with minimal prep and maximum flavor in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ¾ cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) marinara sauce
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Craft a zesty coating by massaging Italian herbs, salt, and pepper into chicken breasts. Dredge through flour and egg wash, then press panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese onto each piece to create a crisp exterior.
- Searing: Ignite the Instant Pot’s sauté mode and heat olive oil until it glistens. Gently lay the breaded chicken into the sizzling oil, developing a golden crust on both sides without fully cooking the interior. Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a holding plate.
- Sauce Infusion: Spread marinara across the pot’s base, sprinkling red pepper flakes for a gentle kick. Nestle the browned chicken into the sauce, ensuring partial submersion. Lock the lid and pressurize for five minutes, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly while absorbing the sauce’s vibrant essence.
- Cheese Finale: After pressure release, unveil the lid and crown each chicken piece with a molten blend of mozzarella and Parmesan. Let the residual heat transform the cheese into a luxurious, bubbling blanket.
- Serving: Garnish with delicate, torn basil leaves. Present alongside pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty garlic bread to complete this Mediterranean-inspired culinary experience.
Notes
- Achieve Crispy Coating: Press panko and Parmesan firmly onto chicken to create a consistent, crunchy exterior that locks in moisture and prevents soggy breading.
- Control Oil Temperature: Heat olive oil until just shimmering to prevent burning and ensure an even golden-brown sear without overcooking the chicken’s interior.
- Manage Pressure Cooking: Do not exceed five minutes of pressure cooking to prevent chicken from becoming tough or dry, maintaining its tender and juicy texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow residual heat to melt cheese naturally, creating a smooth, bubbling layer without requiring additional direct heat or overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg