Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

overhead image of creamy italian chicken breasts on a white platter with egg noodles

Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

These Creamy Italian Instant Pot Chicken Breasts are moist, flavorful, and ready in minutes! Tender chicken breasts are coated in a creamy sauce made with chicken broth, cream, Italian herbs, and roasted red peppers!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 237cal

Author Ashley Fehr

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
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup heavy cream (see notes above)
1 1/2 tablespoons corn starch

Instructions

Whisk together the broth, roasted red peppers, pesto, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Set aside.
(OPTIONAL) Turn the Instant Pot to saute. When it reads "hot", drizzle oil in the bottom. Sear the chicken breasts on each side for 2 minutes until light golden brown. This step is optional but does add flavor. Be careful not to overcook!
Place the chicken on the trivet (again, optional! You can also cook it right in the sauce) and add the sauce.
Place lid on the Instant Pot and turn valve to sealing. Select Manual, high pressure (the default), and set the timer to 6 minutes. The pressure cooker will take about 10 minutes to build pressure and begin counting down. *If you did not sear the chicken, add 2-3 minutes. For frozen chicken, add 4-5 minutes.
Once the cook time is over, turn the Instant Pot off and let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release and open the lid.
Remove the chicken breasts and place on a cutting board or serving platter. Turn the Instant Pot to saute. (OPTIONAL: strain the broth if there is fat left over)
Stir together cream and corn starch and add to the pot. Whisk and cook for 3-4 minutes, until thickened. Add chicken back to the sauce or serve with the sauce over top if desired.

Video

Notes

*Please Note: if you want a lot of extra sauce to serve over pasta, potatoes or rice, you will want to double the sauce.

You can use a lighter cream or even evaporated milk in this recipe. Keep in mind that the higher the fat content of the cream you use, the richer the sauce will be.

Feel free to add veggies into the pot to make this into a one-pot meal. Try mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli! You could also round it out with a simple side salad.

Nutrition