Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken

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.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Why This Recipe Works
• What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
• How To Make Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken
• Pro Recipe Tips
• Recipe Variations
• What To Serve With Instant Pot Italian Chicken
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• More Recipes You’ll Love
• Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken Recipe

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

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you choose to purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product and does not increase the price.

• 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 in case you don’t have a specific ingredient on hand. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to 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

1. Pour in 1/4 cup water or chicken broth into the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
2. Add the chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) in next.
3. Add the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes into the instant pot. Do NOT stir.
4. 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.)
5. 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.
6. To thicken the sauce, remove the chicken, press the SAUTE button, and allow it to cook down for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
7. 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

• Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Pasta
• Risotto

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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