Quick Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan with tender chicken cutlets, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for weeknight dinners served over pasta.

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cutlets
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp Italian seasoning
24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
Cooked pasta for serving

Instructions

Season the Chicken

Sprinkle chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Cook in the Instant Pot

Pour marinara sauce into the Instant Pot. If your sauce is thick, add ¼ cup of water.
Place the seasoned chicken cutlets in the sauce and spoon sauce over the top to cover.
Secure the lid and set the vent to “Sealing.”
Select “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on high for 3 minutes. It will take about 6–7 minutes for the Instant Pot to reach pressure.
Once cooking is complete, perform a quick release.

Add Cheese

Carefully remove the lid and sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella over the chicken.
Cover the lid again to allow cheese to melt. If needed, use the “Sauté” setting for a few minutes to help melt the cheese completely.

Serve

Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Serve over buttered spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy, cheesy chicken cooked quickly in the Instant Pot.
Perfect weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Classic Italian flavors without long oven baking.

Tips

Pound chicken cutlets to even thickness for uniform cooking.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
Avoid overcooking by monitoring cooking time closely.

Variations and Substitutions

Cheese: Swap mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different flavor.
Protein: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.
Sauce: Homemade marinara or store-bought sauce works equally well.

FAQs

Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, cook chicken in marinara and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat and add cheese before serving.

Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, cooked chicken in marinara can be frozen for up to 3 months. Add cheese after reheating.

Is this Instant Pot method faster than baking?
Yes, this method cooks chicken parmesan in minutes without preheating an oven.

Serving

Serve over spaghetti, fettuccine, or zucchini noodles for a lighter option.
Add a side of garlic bread or a green salad.
Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

Suggestions

Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Mix in sautéed mushrooms or spinach into the marinara for added veggies.
Drizzle a touch of olive oil over the pasta before serving for extra richness.