Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken – Creamy & Quick
Introduction
If you’re looking for a dinner that delivers big on creamy, garlicky flavor—all in record time—this Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is your new go-to. The Instant Pot takes all the effort out of cooking, bringing together tender chicken, a luscious Parmesan-infused sauce, and fresh garlic for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It’s simple, comforting, and destined to become a weeknight favorite.
Why This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe Stands Out
Combining rich cream, nutty Parmesan cheese, and a hefty dose of garlic, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal prep. The chicken is pressure-cooked to perfection, then tossed in a velvety sauce that clings to every bite. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a meal that’s perfect for company—or just a cozy night in.
The Secret to a Velvety Cream Sauce
The magic in this recipe is using the sauté function in your Instant Pot before and after pressure cooking. Sautéing the garlic first unlocks its flavor, and adding cream and Parmesan at the end ensures the sauce stays smooth and doesn’t separate. For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan and heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer for a couple minutes after cooking to thicken to perfection.
How to Prep the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
For juicy and flavorful thighs or breasts, season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear the chicken using the sauté mode in your Instant Pot for a golden-brown crust that adds depth to the finished dish. It’s a small step that makes all the difference.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Spoon the rich, creamy chicken over a bed of al dente linguine, fluffy mashed potatoes, or steamed white rice. Top with extra Parmesan, fresh chopped parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Pair with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 hearty servings, each providing approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the cut of chicken and amount of sauce. The rich sauce means a little goes a long way—making this decadent dinner surprisingly balanced when paired with lighter sides.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken – Creamy & Quick (Recap)
Quick, creamy, and bursting with garlic-Parmesan flavor, this Instant Pot chicken recipe transforms basic ingredients into a memorable meal—perfect for busy families and dinner parties alike.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section. Make your grocery runs quicker, easier, and forget-free!
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Add olive oil and once hot, add chicken. Sear both sides (about 2 minutes per side). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Return the chicken to the pot. Secure the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” for 8 minutes (for breasts) or 10 minutes (for thighs).
- Quick release the pressure. If you want a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry now.
- With the Instant Pot on “Sauté,” stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Let simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve the chicken and sauce hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or potatoes. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a meal-prep winner, reheating beautifully for lunches and easy future dinners. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly planner to organize dinners, automatically combine ingredient quantities across all meals, and generate smart, aisle-sorted shopping lists.
Planning Benefits:
– Automatically consolidates ingredient amounts from your week’s meals
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
– Prevents overbuying or extra trips to the store
– Streamlines weekly meal prep and saves time
Pro tip: Easily spot overlapping ingredients (like chicken or Parmesan) in your meal plan and let the platform calculate the total amount needed—reducing guesswork, grocery costs, and food waste. Schedule your week and shop smarter!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes