This instant pot garlic parmesan chicken is one of our favorite cozy dinners, tender chicken in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, made fast and hands off in the pressure cooker. For us that kind of warm, comforting food is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that tastes indulgent yet comes together fast, tender chicken bathed in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, all made hands off in the pressure cooker.
Chicken is seared, then pressure cooked in a garlicky broth before the sauce is finished with cream, cream cheese, and plenty of parmesan. This instant pot garlic parmesan chicken is loaded with savory, garlicky, cheesy flavor and comes together in well under an hour. Searing the chicken and then pressure cooking it in a garlicky broth builds deep flavor, and finishing the sauce with cream, cream cheese, and plenty of parmesan makes it luxuriously cheesy.
Tender chicken in a rich, creamy garlic parmesan sauce makes this instant pot garlic parmesan chicken a cozy, comforting dinner.
Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- Rich and creamy. Cream, cream cheese, and parmesan make a luscious sauce.
- Boldly garlicky. A generous amount of garlic gives it deep flavor.
- Fast and hands off. The pressure cooker makes tender chicken quickly.
- Versatile. Great over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Family favorite. Cheesy, creamy chicken is always a hit.
What Makes This Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken So Good
A great instant pot garlic parmesan chicken starts with searing the chicken, then blooming a generous amount of garlic, which builds the deep, savory, garlicky backbone of the dish. Searing the chicken and then blooming a generous amount of garlic is what builds the deep, savory, garlicky backbone that makes this dish so craveable.
Pressure cooking the chicken in broth keeps it juicy and tender, while deglazing first ensures all that garlicky flavor ends up in the sauce. Pressure cooking the chicken in broth keeps it juicy and tender, and a thorough deglaze first ensures that all that garlicky flavor ends up in the sauce rather than stuck to the pot.
The key to this instant pot garlic parmesan chicken is the finish. Melting in cream cheese, cream, and parmesan off the pressure cycle creates a smooth, rich, cheesy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. Melting cream cheese, cream, and parmesan in once the pressure cycle is done is what creates that smooth, rich, cheesy sauce, so it clings beautifully to every piece of chicken.
Optional Pro Tip: Add Cheese Off the Boil
Stir the cream cheese and parmesan in on the saute setting at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil, so the sauce stays smooth and does not break. For the best instant pot garlic parmesan chicken, use freshly grated parmesan since it melts more smoothly than pre shredded. Stirring the cream cheese and parmesan in at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil keeps the sauce smooth and unbroken, and freshly grated parmesan melts in far more cleanly than pre shredded.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Sear the chicken first so the instant pot garlic parmesan chicken has savory depth, and do not skimp on the garlic. A good sear gives the chicken savory depth, and being generous with the garlic is what gives this dish its signature bold, aromatic character.
Finish the sauce on a gentle simmer with freshly grated parmesan, and add a slurry if you want it thicker. Season to taste before serving. Finishing the sauce on a gentle simmer with freshly grated parmesan keeps it silky, and a cornstarch slurry is there if you would like it a little thicker.
Variations and Add Ins
- Spicy. Add extra red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Extra veggies. Stir in spinach or serve over broccoli.
- Herb forward. Add fresh parsley, basil, or extra Italian seasoning.
- Lighter. Skip the cream cheese and use a little less cream.
- Cheesier. Add a little mozzarella along with the parmesan.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover instant pot garlic parmesan chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce stays rich and flavorful. Stored airtight, the sauce stays rich and flavorful for a few days, making this a comforting, cheesy meal to look forward to again through the week.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce, which thickens as it sits. A splash of broth or cream stirred in while reheating loosens the sauce, which naturally thickens as it sits, bringing it right back to creamy.
Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Serve this warm over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, spooning the creamy sauce over the top, garnished with parsley and extra parmesan. It makes a cozy, satisfying dinner. Spooned over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes and garnished with parsley and extra parmesan, it becomes a cozy, satisfying dinner that feels a little special.
The star flavor here is garlic, a pungent member of the onion family used in cuisines worldwide, as described in this overview of garlic. Its deep, savory aroma is what gives this instant pot garlic parmesan chicken its bold character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless thighs stay extra juicy. Adjust the cook time and cook to 165 F. Boneless thighs stay extra juicy under pressure, so they are a great choice, just adjust the timing and cook them until they are done through.
How do I keep the sauce from breaking?
Melt the cheese and cream in on a gentle simmer, not a hard boil, and use freshly grated parmesan. A broken sauce usually comes from too high a heat, so melting the cheese and cream in on a gentle simmer, with freshly grated parmesan, keeps it smooth and glossy.
Do I need the cream cheese?
It adds extra creaminess and tang, but you can skip it and rely on cream and parmesan. The cream cheese adds extra creaminess and a gentle tang, but you can leave it out and lean on cream and parmesan for a still rich, slightly lighter sauce.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Whisk in a cornstarch slurry on saute until it reaches the thickness you like. Whisking a cornstarch slurry in on the saute setting lets you thicken the sauce to exactly the consistency you like, stopping when it coats the back of a spoon.
Why freshly grated parmesan?
Pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Freshly grated melts smoothly. Pre shredded cheese is coated with anti caking agents that can turn a sauce grainy, while freshly grated parmesan melts smoothly into a silky, cohesive sauce.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Stir in spinach, or serve it over broccoli or roasted vegetables. Stirring in a handful of spinach or serving the chicken over broccoli or roasted vegetables is an easy way to work some greens into the meal.
What do I serve it over?
Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes all soak up the creamy garlic sauce beautifully. Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes all soak up the creamy garlic parmesan sauce beautifully, so serve it over whichever you love best.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well with a splash of broth or cream. Because it reheats so well, it makes a great make ahead meal, returning to its rich, creamy self with just a splash of broth or cream.
Can I freeze it?
Cream sauces can change texture when frozen, but it is doable. Thaw and reheat gently. It freezes reasonably well, though cream sauces can shift in texture, so thaw it gently and warm it slowly while stirring to bring it back together.
Is it very garlicky?
Yes, pleasantly so. Use less garlic for a milder flavor if you prefer. It is pleasantly garlicky as written, so if you prefer something milder, simply scale the garlic back a little to suit your taste.
Creamy, Garlicky Comfort in Under an Hour
This instant pot garlic parmesan chicken brings tender chicken and a rich, creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce together fast, thanks to the pressure cooker. It is cozy, cheesy comfort food at its best. It brings tender chicken and a rich, creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce together fast, thanks to the pressure cooker, cozy, cheesy comfort food at its very best.
Serve it over pasta or rice, stir in spinach or extra cheese, and finish with parsley to make it your own. It is an easy, crowd pleasing dinner for any night. Serve it over pasta or rice, stir in spinach or extra cheese, and finish with parsley to make it your own for an easy, crowd pleasing dinner any night.
If you love creamy, comforting dishes like this, you will also enjoy our cheesy gnocchi bake, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Select the Saute function on your Instant Pot and add olive oil and butter.
- Sear chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add garlic and sauté 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pot with chicken broth, scraping browned bits.
- Return chicken to the pot.
- Seal lid and set Instant Pot to High Pressure.
- Cook for 8 to 12 minutes depending on thickness.
- Natural release for 10 minutes, then vent remaining pressure.
- Remove chicken and check internal temperature reaches 165 F.
- Turn on Saute mode and melt cream cheese if using.
- Whisk in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Add cornstarch slurry if needed and simmer until thickened.
- Return chicken to sauce and coat evenly. Add parsley.
- Serve hot with extra sauce.
Nutrition
Notes
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