Instant Pot Italian Chicken
Savory, moist, tender, and creamy, this Instant Pot Italian Chicken is a quick fix that’s so comforting. Loaded with chicken, veg, and a plate licking-worthy sauce, this easy creamy chicken recipe is a dinner winner!
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Tender chicken is enveloped by a luscious, creamy sauce in this Instant Pot chicken recipe. There’s oodles of flavors in this chicken breast recipe, and the best part is you’ve only got 1 pot to wash! A quick and easy fix, this easy Instant Pot recipe needs to be in your cooking rotation!
What you’ll love about this recipe
- So quick and easy!
- Extra veg means extra nutrition!
- One-pot clean-up!
Ingredients to Make Instant Pot Italian Chicken
- Chicken -I use chicken breasts, but thighs or tenders work just as well.
- Italian salad dressing powder – Look for a salt-free blend if possible so you can control the seasoning.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves; skip jarlic for the best flavor.
- Chicken broth – I use low-sodium broth so I can control the salt.
- Zucchini – Don’t overcook; it can turn soft quickly under pressure.
- Red bell pepper – Adds sweetness; green bell pepper can be used but will be more bitter.
- All-purpose flour – Use to thicken the sauce; whisk well to avoid lumps.
- Heavy cream – Adds richness; half-and-half will work for a lighter option.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice only; bottled won’t give the same brightness.
- Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
How To Make Italian Chicken in the Instant Pot
For a complete list of ingredients and instructions, please scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of this page.
Season the chicken breasts with the Italian dressing mix.
Add the chicken broth, reserving some for the slurry, and garlic to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Carefully lay the chicken in the pot.
Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 9 minutes, or 8 minutes if the chicken breasts are smaller.
Do a manual release, then remove the chicken. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches 165 F on a digital meat thermometer.
Set the Instant Pot to saute and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the zucchini and bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Meanwhile, make a slurry by combining the reserved chicken broth with the all purpose flour. Whisk this into the sauce, then add the lemon juice.
Bring the mixture back to a simmer, then add the cream.
Season with salt and pepper, then serve.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- I use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this Instant Pot Italian Chicken recipe. You could use bone-in, but you’d need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.
- Heat the broth in the microwave or on the stovetop to reduce the time it takes to come to pressure.
- Switch up the veg! Add carrots, peas, summer squash, and all your favorites to this dish.
- Don’t add flour directly to the sauce as it’ll clump. If the sauce isn’t thick enough, blend more flour and water to make a thick slurry then add that to the sauce and bring it to a simmer to thicken.
Variations
- Top the finished creamy Italian chicken with a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese
- Use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. A teaspoon should do it.
- Add fresh mushrooms with the other vegetables.
- Use roasted red peppers instead of fresh bell peppers, but add them in at the end of the pressure cook.
What To Serve With this Creamy Italian Chicken
I love serving this dish with noodles. The kids gobble up the pasta and the sauce goes so nicely with it. Try making your own German noodles, or spaetzle, or cook your favorite kind.
Rice is another great pick with this recipe, and serve it with a lovely spinach salad to round out the meal, and don’t forget dessert! These mini lemon tarts are the perfect finish!
Can I Freeze This Italian Chicken Instant Pot Recipe?
Yes, you can! Chill the leftovers and freeze the chicken packaged in the sauce to keep it moist. Freeze it for up to three months. The veg might get a little soggy when you thaw and reheat it, but the chicken and sauce will be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! There’s not even any searing. It is basically a dump-and-go recipe, with a bit of simmering at the end of the cooking time.
Average-sized boneless chicken breasts will cook in under 10 minutes in the Instant Pot. Frozen breasts will take longer. See below.
Including the time it takes to come to pressure, you should allow about 45 minutes, from start to finish, for this easy Instant Pot recipe.
Yes, but you’ll need to cook them in the broth for 25-30 minutes.
Instant Pot Italian Chicken
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 2 1/4 cups low sodium chicken broth divided
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Italian dressing mix
- 2 zucchini cut into half moons
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with the Italian dressing mix.
- Put 2 cups of ther chicken broth and the garlic into the bottom of the Instant Pot. Carefully lay the chicken in the bottom.
- Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 9 minutes, 8 if the breasts are smaller.
- Manual release then remove the chicken.
- Set the Instant Pot to sautee and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the zucchini and bell pepper and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
- Meanwhile, make a slurry by combining the rest of the chicken broth with the all purpose flour. Whisk this into the sauce. Add the lemon juice.
- Bring the pot to a simmer again, then add the cream, season with salt and pepper and serve.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- I use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this Instant Pot Italian Chicken recipe. You could use bone-in, but you’d need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.
- Heat the broth in the microwave or on the stovetop to reduce the time it takes to come to pressure.
- Switch up the veg! Add carrots, peas, summer squash, and all your favorites to this dish.
- Don’t add flour directly to the sauce as it’ll clump. If the sauce isn’t thick enough, blend more flour and water to make a thick slurry then add that to the sauce and bring it to a simmer to thicken.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
