Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Parmesan Orzo–a one pot meal with chicken, pasta, tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cheese.
Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Parmesan Orzo
Looking for an easy dinner for tonight? I’ve got you covered. This chicken and orzo recipe is super fast and easy and it all cooks in your Instant Pot. You can even use frozen chicken. That’s what I did!
Because orzo cooks much quicker than chicken I used the pot-in-pot method for the orzo while the chicken cooked on the bottom of the pot. If you’re confused by “pot-in-pot” basically you throw the chicken in the bottom of your Instant Pot with the seasonings and a little broth. Then you lay a pan with water and uncooked pasta on top of the chicken. I used one of these stainless steel pans with the lid on*. While the chicken is getting the brunt of the pressure cooking the orzo cooks gently inside the pan. I like using this method for foods that need different pressure cooking times.
After the chicken has cooked you can dump the pasta into the chicken and add in some parmesan cheese and spinach. I like the fact that I didn’t even have to drain water off of the pasta. It was all soaked up.
I used frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts because that’s what I had but I also think boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be super tasty. You can use frozen or fresh chicken in this recipe. Just follow the timing directions indicated in the recipe card.
More Instant Pot Orzo Recipes You’ll Love…
Instant Pot Smoked Sausage with Parmesan and Orzo
Instant Pot Italian Wedding Soup
Instant Pot Tomato Basil Parmesan Orzo
What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Parmesan Orzo I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Parmesan Orzo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
A one pot meal with chicken, pasta, tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes (fire roasted would be good)
- 12 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 ¾ cups water
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups chopped spinach
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. When the display says HOT add in the olive oil and swirl it around. Add in the onion and saute for 4 minutes. Then add in the garlic and saute for 20 seconds. Deglaze the pot with the chicken broth.
- Place the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle the salt, pepper and Italian seasoning over the chicken. Dump the tomatoes over the top of the chicken.
- Pour the orzo and water into a pan* that fits inside your Instant Pot. Using a sling* lower the pan on top of the chicken as evenly as possible. (I covered my pan)
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes for thawed chicken and 15 minutes for frozen chicken (or follow this method for best results). When the time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Use hot pads to remove the orzo pan. Set it aside.
- Cut the chicken into pieces. Stir the parmesan and spinach into the pot. Stir the orzo into pot. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Scoop onto serving dishes and enjoy.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
gina meixner says
June 14, 2019 at 9:55 pmI followed the recipe and was so excited. My first time doing a pot inside the pot . I was the best thing I have ever made! A definite keeper! Thank you
★★★★★
Karen says
June 15, 2019 at 7:14 amNice! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Susan V. says
June 12, 2019 at 6:17 pmI’d like to use brown rice. Usually 10 min is enough?
Karen says
June 13, 2019 at 9:23 pm22 minutes for brown rice with a 1 cup rice to 1.25 cup water ratio plus a 10 minute NPR
Alice Wylie says
June 9, 2019 at 9:01 pmDo you think this can be made ahead and frozen?
Karen says
June 10, 2019 at 7:57 pmUmmm I’d worry that the orzo would get mushy when reheated.
Beth Pascarella says
June 9, 2019 at 4:42 pmCan you cook it all in the one pot?
Karen says
June 10, 2019 at 7:58 pmThe orzo only needs a minute of pressure cook time so if you did you’d have to precook the chicken.
Judi says
June 17, 2019 at 3:17 pmI reheat rice or orzo on steam for 5 minutes with a quick release. Not mushy at all. 👍🏼
Wendey Rhoades says
June 9, 2019 at 10:24 amIf I only have a pot without a lid, would it be better to use foil or to cook the orzo on the stove?
Karen says
June 10, 2019 at 8:02 pmyou don’t really need a lid. it will be fine.
Francine says
June 6, 2019 at 4:02 pmWhat if i dont have a manual button? Do i leave it on salute for 12 minutes? Also do all the buttons have a preset time to cook like soup is 5 minutes, meat is 15 minutes. In the past I’ve always hit the soup button and added the extra time?
Karen says
June 6, 2019 at 8:27 pmyou can hit the preset button and add time
Marsha says
June 6, 2019 at 1:24 pmNext day leftovers taste much better, and I served over freshly made linguine ( made on the stove top). We both agreed that we liked this meal much better. Thanks!
★★★★
Karen says
June 6, 2019 at 8:28 pmGlad you liked it!
Marsha says
June 5, 2019 at 6:52 pmI weighed out my orzo. 12 ounces exactly, with the amount of liquid, in a stackable pot with a lid exactly as you said. Orzo came out very mushy. Therefore, I did not put it in the pot, but just spooned it out for my dish, and threw the rest of it out! Tomorrow, I will serve leftovers over some freshly cooked pasta instead. Not our favorite meal.
★★★
Karen says
June 6, 2019 at 8:32 pmI’m sorry that yours didn’t turn out.
Marygrace says
June 5, 2019 at 1:31 pmInstead of using water for the pasta can you substitute with chicken broth?
Karen says
June 6, 2019 at 8:34 pmsure
Shelley Stevens says
June 5, 2019 at 11:39 amHow many cups is equal to 12 ounces of orzo pasta?
Karen says
June 5, 2019 at 12:27 pmI believe it is 1 1/2 cups