Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe
Intro: Ready to Eat?
Oh, honey, if your taste buds are itching for something creamy, garlicky, and oh-so-delicious, let me introduce you to heaven in a bowl: the Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe! You might be thinking, “Instant Pot? Fancy stuff?” Nope, we’re keeping it real and easy. This dish is like the best kind of hug—warm, cheesy, and something you’ll wanna turn to time and time again. So, pull up a chair, grab your apron, and let’s dive into this culinary treasure!
Why This Dish Slaps
First things first: what’s so awesome about this recipe? For starters, it delivers flavor bomb popcorn to your taste buds like a rock concert, all in just about 30 minutes! You know you need quick, gourmet-style meals that don’t send you running out of the kitchen screaming.
Then there’s the whole one-pot thing. Seriously, less cleanup equals more time binge-watching your latest show or pretending to be productive at home. And don’t even get me started on the creamy sauce that’s about to happen here. It’ll have you dreaming of twirling fettuccine and throwing a dinner party for friends (or just yourself—no judgment).
Grab These Ingredients
To create this masterpiece, you’ve got to gather the following goodies. Here’s what you’re gonna need:
- 1.5 – 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 3-4 medium breasts)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 8-10 Cloves Garlic, minced (Don’t be shy with the garlic; it’ll keep the vampires away, too!)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a tiny kick)
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (essential for pressure cooking and flavor)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (at room temperature if possible)
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened and cut into cubes (makes it ultra creamy, trust me)
- 3/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated is always a good idea!)
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch mixed with 2 Tablespoons Cold Water (optional, for that sauce thickness)
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped (for that beautiful garnish and freshness)
Step-by-Step Vibes
Let’s roll up those sleeves and get cookin’! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be serving up a restaurant-quality meal in no time.
Pat the chicken dry. Grab some paper towels and give those chicken breasts a good patdown. If they’re super thick, slice them or pound them a bit. We want juicy chicken, not rubber logs!
Season those beauties. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, that sexy Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes generously. Don’t be stingy; flavor city is calling!
Heat up the Instant Pot. Select the Sauté function and set it to Normal or Medium-High. Once it’s hot (you’ll see ‘Hot’ displayed), add your olive oil and butter until it’s like a bubbling love potion.
Sear the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the pot and sear for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Do it in batches if you have to—nobody likes overcrowded pots! Remove the chicken to a plate when done.
Get your garlic on. Add those minced garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 30-60 seconds. Keep stirring like you’re conducting a magical orchestra—it smells divine but be careful not to burn it!
Pour some broth love. Quickly toss in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any fond (that’s fancy talk for delicious bits stuck to the bottom). Now’s not the time for that BURN notice, so make it squeaky clean.
Return the chicken. Nestle the seared chicken back into the broth, including any juices that have accumulated on the plate. We don’t waste flavor here!
Pressure it up! Secure that lid and make sure the steam valve is set to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual function and set it for 10 minutes (or 12 if your breasts are thick).
Let it rest. Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, switch to Venting to unleash the steam. Careful—the steam can be hot!
Check the magic. Use tongs to transfer the chicken to a clean plate and check the temp with a meat thermometer; it should read at least 165°F (74°C). Tent it with foil and let it chill for a sec.
Make the sauce sing. Turn on Sauté again. If you’re using cream cheese, toss those cubes in and whisk until melted. Now, slide in the heavy cream and stir until it’s fabulously creamy.
Cheese it up. Gradually mix in your Parmesan cheese. You want a smooth sauce—no cheese clumps allowed! Adjust seasoning to taste.
Thicken it up, if you want. If you like a thicker sauce, add that cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) while whisking. Let it simmer a bit and watch it thicken like a boss.
Combine and garnish. You can put the whole chicken back in the pot and spoon sauce over, or cut it up and stir it in. Don’t forget to add fresh parsley for that gorgeous finish!
Plate it and dive in. Serve your Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken hot and glorious!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now, before you start throwing pans around and looking like a scene from a cooking show gone wrong, here are a few rookie mistakes to dodge:
Skipping the sear. Seriously, don’t. That crispy goodness adds flavor! You want to let those chicken breasts strut their stuff.
Overcrowding the pot. You’re not hosting a chicken party in there! Make sure to sear in batches so they can get that golden bliss.
Neglecting the broth scrape. If you forget to clean up the bottom before pressure cooking, you’ll end up with the dreaded “BURN” notice, and no one’s got time for that!
Tweak It Your Way
Feeling adventurous? Here’s how to put your own spin on this dish:
No cream cheese? Use sour cream for a bit of tang!
Low-carb? Swap out the heavy cream for coconut milk—your community of keto friends will thank you.
Vegetables, anyone? Toss in some baby spinach or cherry tomatoes at the end for extra color and nutrients.
Curious? Here’s Answers
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this ahead of time? Totally! Just warm it up gently in the microwave or on the stovetop—no one likes cold garlic chicken.
What if I used chicken thighs? Go for it! Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless, and adjust pressure cooking time if needed—maybe a tad longer.
Can I use oil instead of butter? Sure, but why downgrade the taste, my dear? Butter is your friend!
Is it spicy? Only if you add the red pepper flakes, and feel free to adjust that based on your heat tolerance!
How can I make leftovers great? Use this sauce over pasta for a fab new meal!
Final Bites
And there you have it! Your very own Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe—a dish so dreamy, you’ll forget takeout even exists. Bring it to your next potluck or keep it for cozy nights on the couch; either way, you’re now a kitchen magician. So, what are you waiting for? Go unleash your culinary creativity; I believe in you! 🍽️✨
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Slice or pound them if they're super thick.
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Select the Sauté function on the Instant Pot and set to Normal or Medium-High. Once hot, add olive oil and butter.
- Sear the chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden, then remove to a plate.
- Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Return the seared chicken to the pot, including any juices.
- Secure the lid, set the steam valve to Sealing, and cook on Pressure Cook/Manual for 10 minutes (12 for thick breasts).
- After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then switch to Venting.
- Use tongs to remove the chicken and check the temp (should be at least 165°F or 74°C). Tent with foil.
- Turn Sauté back on. Add cream cheese cubes and whisk until melted, then stir in heavy cream.
- Gradually mix in Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
- If desired, add the cornstarch slurry while whisking to thicken the sauce.
- Combine the chicken with the sauce in the pot or cut it up and stir it in. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve your Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken hot.