The absolute easiest way to make Instant Pot chicken parmesan pasta. Who doesn't love pasta in a rich tomato sauce with melted cheese and tender chicken? Make it fancy with a topping of crunchy breadcrumbs and fresh herbs.
When I'm craving lasagna or baked pasta but I don't feel like putting in that much effort, this Instant Pot chicken parmesan pasta is the perfect dinner.
Dinner doesn't get any easier than this. Just dump all the ingredients in the Instant Pot - no chopping or prep needed - and return to rich and cheesy pasta that kids and adults will happily dig into.
"Can you make this again, Mom?" my daughter asked before she even finished her last bite. "I love it!"
I know what you mean, kid. I wish I didn't love the combination of pasta and melted cheese as much as I do, but there you go.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This pasta has all the elements of traditional chicken parmesan combined into a simple one-pot dinner: tender pieces of chicken, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Instead of breading the chicken, I top the pasta with crunchy breadcrumbs, fresh basil and oregano and grated parmesan.
Can I use Chicken Breast for this Chicken Pasta?
I recommend only using chicken tenders. Or, cut chicken breasts into 1 to 2-inch wide strips that resemble chicken tenders. Chicken breasts would require a slightly longer cooking time, and then the pasta would be overcooked.
I like using chicken tenders for this recipe instead of chicken breasts because chicken tenders are almost always the same size and cook quickly and evenly.
Can I Leave the Chicken Out?
Yes. Make this pasta vegetarian by simply leaving the chicken out. Otherwise, follow all the same recipe instructions.
More Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
- Instant Pot Bowtie Pasta with Meat Sauce
- Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs with Red Lentil Marinara
- Instant Pot Artichoke Spinach Dip Pasta
Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 4
- Total Time: 9 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The absolute easiest way to make chicken parmesan pasta. Dump all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and return to pasta and tender chicken in a rich and cheesy tomato sauce . Top with crunchy breadcrumbs, fresh basil and oregano and grated parmesan.
Total Instant Pot Cooking Time: 15 minutes to reach pressure + 4 minutes cooking time + Instant Release
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast tenders
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 25-ounce jar pasta/marinara sauce
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups/8 ounces grated cheese (pizza blend, Italian blend, or just mozzarella)
- Garnish: fresh basil or oregano, crunchy breadcrumbs, grated parmesan
Crunchy Breadcrumb Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Pour the olive oil evenly over the bottom of the Instant Pot. Add chicken tenders, lining the tenders up in one even layer. Season the chicken with salt and garlic powder.
- Pour pasta sauce on top of the chicken. Add the penne pasta, spreading it out in an even layer. Do NOT stir.
- Measure out the two cups of water. Pour the water into the empty marinara jar and shake the jar with a lid to get all of the sauce off the sides of the jar. Gently pour the water into the Instant Pot, over the pasta. Remember, do NOT stir.
- Make sure all of the pasta is covered by water and not poking up out of the liquid. If needed, gently press down on the pasta to make sure each noodle is mostly under the water.
- Lock the lid in place. Make sure the steam valve is in the sealed position. Press the Manual button and program the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. The pot will take about 12 to 15 minutes to come up to pressure.
- When the cooking time is done, release pressure instantly.
- The sauce will seem watery right when you open the lid. Don’t worry! Use tongs to take the chicken tenders out of the pot, shaking off most of the tomato sauce, and lay the chicken tenders on a cutting board.
- Stir the pasta well, then add the grated cheese and stir well again. Make sure the Instant Pot is turned off, set the lid gently on top and let the pasta sit for 5 to 10 minutes for the sauce to thicken up.
- Slice the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the pot and mix well again before serving.
- Top with fresh basil or oregano, grated parmesan and crunchy panko breadcrumbs.
To Make Crunchy Breadcrumb Topping:
In a wide non-stick skillet, warm the oil or butter over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the panko, sprinkling it evenly across the skillet. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until breadcrumbs are toasted and crunchy.
Notes
For more flavor, I like using a pre-grated blend of cheeses, like an Italian or Pizza blend. However, you can simply use grated low moisture mozzarella if that's what you have.
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian American
Keywords: penne pasta, chicken parmesan, instant pot chicken parmesan pasta
Could I use frozen tenderloins? They're not too big
Hi Cece,
I"m curious if you tried the frozen chicken tenderloins yet and if it worked? I haven't tried it yet myself, but most recipes I see for frozen chicken tenders call for 6 minutes of cooking time, and I think the pasta would get too mushy.
Made this last night, it turnes oit perfectly. Will make again.
★★★★★
Thanks for letting me know! Glad you liked it!
Can you use frozen chicken breasts?
Hi Alicia,
I don't think frozen chicken breasts will work. The cooking time for this pasta is too short, and the chicken breasts won't fully cook.
Jenny