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Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts Recipe

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4.2 from 28 reviews

Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts offer a quick and flavorful meal featuring tender chicken cooked under pressure and finished in a rich, creamy Italian-inspired sauce with roasted red peppers, basil pesto, and Italian seasoning. This dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that comes together with minimal fuss using your Instant Pot.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted red peppers
  • 1 tablespoon basil pesto
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Finishing Sauce

  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce mixture: Whisk together chicken broth, chopped roasted red peppers, basil pesto, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
  2. Sear the chicken breasts (optional): Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode. When the display reads “hot,” drizzle some oil in the bottom of the pot. Place the chicken breasts in the pot and sear each side for about 2 minutes until they turn a light golden brown. Be careful not to overcook during this step as it’s only to add flavor.
  3. Arrange chicken and add sauce: Place the seared chicken breasts on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. You may also cook the chicken directly in the sauce if preferred. Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken.
  4. Set Instant Pot for pressure cooking: Close the lid of the Instant Pot and turn the valve to sealing. Select ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high pressure, and set the timer for 6 minutes. Note: If chicken is unseared, increase cook time by 2-3 minutes; if frozen, add 4-5 minutes.
  5. Release pressure and remove chicken: When cooking is complete, turn the Instant Pot off and allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to release remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully and remove the chicken breasts, placing them on a cutting board or serving platter.
  6. Thicken the sauce: Switch the Instant Pot back to sauté mode. (Optional: strain sauce if there is excess fat.) Whisk together the heavy cream and corn starch in a small bowl, then add this mixture to the sauce in the pot. Stir continuously and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  7. Serve: Return the chicken breasts to the pot and coat them in the creamy sauce or serve the sauce spooned over the chicken on plates. Enjoy your creamy Italian Instant Pot chicken breasts immediately.

Notes

  • Searing the chicken breasts before pressure cooking is optional but adds flavor and a better texture.
  • If using frozen chicken breasts, increase the cooking time by 4-5 minutes under pressure.
  • Use low sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the dish.
  • For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
  • You can strain the sauce after pressure cooking to remove any excess fat before adding the cream and corn starch thickener.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Salt

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/creamy-italian-instant-pot-chicken-breasts-recipe/