Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
For the Topping
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Chicken: Turn the Instant Pot on the sauté setting and add the butter, allowing it to melt. Meanwhile, combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, dried basil, oregano, and rosemary to create a spice rub. Rub this mixture thoroughly over the chicken breasts. Place the chicken in the Instant Pot and brown each side for 1–2 minutes, ensuring the chicken is not fully cooked at this stage.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Press “Cancel” to turn off the sauté mode. Add the uncooked penne pasta on top of the browned chicken. Pour in the marinara sauce, chicken broth, and zesty Italian dressing. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is fully submerged and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cook Under Pressure: Securely close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealed position. Select the high-pressure cooking mode and set the timer for 6 minutes. When cooking completes, perform a slow pressure release by leaving the valve halfway open for about 5 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Shred Chicken and Add Cheeses: Carefully open the lid, remove the chicken breasts, and shred or cube them. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir into the pasta mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Melt the Cheese and Serve: Close the Instant Pot lid again and set it to the ‘Warm’ mode to allow the cheese to melt fully. Once melted, serve the dish plated and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy while warm!
Notes
- Avoid leaving the sauté function on too long to prevent the butter from burning.
- Feel free to add more cheese or try alternatives like cheddar or pepper jack for added flavor.
- You can substitute chicken broth with beef or vegetable broth to customize the flavor.
- Experiment with different pasta sauces to vary the taste.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts for a juicier texture.
- If using salted butter, reduce the added salt accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American
