Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken is an easy Chicken breast recipe in a light Italian sauce that makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
When topped with capers and three types of cheeses, and served over pasta with garlic, you have a complete dinner.
If you are looking for a low-carb option, leave out the pasta and serve it with a small green salad for a delicious weeknight dinner.
This easy Italian dinner is much easier than you thank but can still create an impressive family dinner everyone will love.
It really is one of the best and easiest Chicken Recipes you will ever make, as well as one of the easiest Italian Recipes you will ever make.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy. The Instant Pot makes this amazing chicken recipe so easy to make, and results in tender, juicy chicken. It is a dump and go recipe.
- Italian Flavor. The tomato sauce with the three cheese and capers gives it that wonderfully Italian inspired flavor.
- Saucy. The sauce turns out amazing. Spending a few extra minutes using the saute function thickens the sauce up nicely.
Why This Recipe Works
- Dump and Go Meal. Literally, you dump your ingredients in the Instant Pot and let it do its magic.
- Few Easy Steps. There are a few easy steps and dinner is served.
- Easy Instructions. Step by step instructions make this recipe easy to follow to help ensure success.
What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
Equipment
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- Instant Pot Duo60 6-Qt – This is the model of Instant Pot that I use and love. It is a medium-sized model and is one of the best-selling models.
Ingredient Notes
Below, I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions if you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
- Chicken Breasts. You can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts or chicken thighs. It is a very versatile recipe.
- Chicken Broth. You can use water. However, I used a little chicken broth for more flavor and to add in the Instant Pot first to provide liquid for pressure cooking and to prevent any potential “burn message” from the Instant Pot.
- Diced tomatoes. I used canned diced tomatoes. I like the Italian-style diced tomatoes for the added flavor.
- Italian Seasoning. I like to use the Italian Seasoning spice blend.
- Basil. I recommend using fresh basil as it has the best flavor. However, you could add dried basil if that is what you have on hand.
- Salt. To taste. Everyone’s taste preference for salt is very different.
- Garlic. You can use fresh garlic or buy the pre-minced garlic.
- Red pepper flakes (Optional). For those that love a bit of spiciness, add in a few red pepper flakes, the amount will depend on how spicy you like it.
- Capers. These little capers gives extra flavor and a bit of salt. However, you can use green olives if you prefer.
- Mozzarella cheese. You can use shredded mozzarella cheese, or for a more unique experience, try using burrata cheese balls
- Parmesan cheese. If it is an Italian dish, then you must have parmesan cheese. It is an unwritten rule.
How To Make Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken
NOTE: For more detailed instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article, just above the comment section.
Instructions
- Pour in 1/4 cup water or chicken broth into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Add the chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) in next.
- Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes into the instant pot. Do NOT stir.
- Set the instant pot on high for 6 MINUTES HIGH PRESSURE for fresh chicken and 8 minutes for frozen. (NOTE: It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up before the timer starts.)
- NATURAL RELEASE. Allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally, which means to DO NOTHING while the Instant Pot releases the pressure. Then carefully remove the lid.
- To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken, press the SAUTE button, and allow it to cook down for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
- Spoon the thickened sauce over the chicken. Top with capers, mozzarella, parmesan, and/or burrata cheese balls (split open.) Serve over pasta.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Thicken The Sauce. Immediately, after pressure cooking the chicken, the sauce may be very thin. After you remove the chicken after pressure cooking, press SAUTE and allow the sauce to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until it is thickened.
- Cheese Trifecta. I like to use all three kinds of cheese, mozzarella, parmesan and burrata. The burrata gives a bit of creaminess to the dish.
- Fresh or Frozen Chicken is OK. I used frozen chicken for this recipe and it cooks in the same amount of time.
Recipe Variations
- Mexican Chicken. With a few minor changes, you can change this into a Mexican dish.
- Instead of Italian Style diced tomatoes, use canned Diced Tomatoes and Chilies.
- Instead of Italian Seasoning, use Taco Seasoning.
- Instead of Basil, use Fresh Cilantro.
- Instead of Mozzarella, Parmesan, or Burrata, use a Mexican Blend shredded cheese.
- Serve with Cilantro Rice, or Mexican Rice.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Italian Chicken
- Chopped Vegetable Salad
- Pesto Garlic Bread
- Pasta
- Risotto
- Italian Wedding Soup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How Long Can I Refrigerate the Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken?
- You can refrigerate the chicken up to five days.
- How Long Can I Freeze The Chicken?
- When stored in an airtight freezer-safe container, it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Italiano Chicken Breast – It is basically a mini lasagna on top of a chicken breast.
- Lasagna Soup – It tastes like lasagna in a bowl.
- Best Chicken Parmesan – Pan-fried breaded chicken breast that is oven-baked with marinara and fresh mozzarella for a crispy chicken parmesan with melty cheese and a flavorful tomato-based marinara sauce.
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Recipe
Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
ADD BEFORE PRESSURE COOKING
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- 4 chicken breast
- 1 (14.5-ounce can) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or 5 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
ADD BEFORE SERVING
- 2 Tablespoons capers
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (or 4 burrata cheese balls, split open)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pour in 1/4 cup water or chicken broth into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Add the chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) in next.
- Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes into the instant pot. Do NOT stir.
- Set the instant pot on high for 6 minutes for fresh chicken and 8 minutes for frozen. (NOTE: It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build up before the timer starts.)
- NATURAL RELEASE. Allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure naturally, which means to DO NOTHING while the Instant Pot releases the pressure. Then carefully remove the lid.
- To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken, press the SAUTE button, and allow it to cook down for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
- Spoon the thickened sauce over the chicken. Top with capers, mozzarella, parmesan, and/or burrata cheese balls (split open.) Serve over pasta.
Video
Notes
Serve this over noodles or rice and the sauce will be soaked up quickly.
I like to use all three kinds of cheese, mozzarella, parmesan and burrata. The burrata gives a bit of creaminess to the dish.
I used frozen chicken for this recipe and it cooks in the same amount of time Storage:
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Marilyn says
Can’t wait to try this!!!
Amanda says
This chicken came out perfect! It was super moist and flavorful, and the Instant Pot made it so convenient. Definitely putting on the menu rotation!
AISilva says
I’ve been looking for more instant pot meals, and this one is at the top of my list. This instant pot spicy Italian chicken sounds so good, I can’t wait to try it!
Seema says
I love dump and go meals. They make life so easy. This recipe is so flavourful, I am sure it will be an instant hit.
Biana says
Yum! This Instant Pot chicken looks delicious. Will be great served with pasta and a green salad.
Paul says
Made this last nite and it was delicious…I used thighs as that was what I had…Didn’t use the red pepper as my wife can’t stand any heat…Served it over rigotoni…I did get impatient when thickening the sauce, so I added a tablespoon of cornstarch in water and it really made a good thick sauce…Easy and great taste…
Paula says
I loved this. I just used marinara and chicken broth instead of water. served over rice. my boys loved it! thanks for posting.
Michele says
Hi Paula,
I’m so glad that you and your boys loved it! Thanks for sharing. If you liked this recipe, you may want to check out this Meatball Pizza recipe as well!
Michele
SLY says
The chicken and aromas were perfect. The sauce was too watery! I tried to thicken it up with a corn starch slurry but didn’t want to overdo it. Next time I’ll make a sauce on the stove.