Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Dredging Station

1. Set Up Your Bowls: You’ll need three shallow dishes or plates.

   • In the first dish, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Whisk them together until evenly distributed.
   • In the second dish, whisk the two large eggs until the yolks and whites are fully combined.
   • In the third dish, mix the Italian breadcrumbs and the ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

2. Coat the Chicken: Pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is an essential step to ensure the coating sticks properly. Working with one chicken breast at a time, dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it completely into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, ensuring it’s coated evenly on all sides. Set the coated chicken breasts aside on a clean plate or baking sheet.

Step 2: Searing for Flavor (Don’t Skip This!)

1. Heat the Instant Pot: Select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set it to “More” or “High.” Wait for the display to read “Hot.”
2. Sear the Chicken: Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot inner pot. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, carefully place two of the coated chicken breasts into the pot. Do not overcrowd it.
3. Brown in Batches: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until the coating is a deep golden brown. The goal here is not to cook the chicken through but to create a flavorful, crispy crust. This maillard reaction builds a foundational layer of flavor for the entire dish.
4. Remove and Repeat: Once browned, carefully remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and set it aside. Repeat the process with the remaining two chicken breasts, adding a bit more oil if the pot looks dry. Once all chicken is seared, press Cancel to turn off the Sauté function.

Step 3: Deglazing and Layering

1. Deglaze the Pot: This is the most critical step to prevent the “BURN” notice. Pour the 1 cup of chicken broth (or water) into the hot pot. Use a wooden spoon or a flat-edged spatula to scrape up all the browned bits (the “fond”) stuck to the bottom of the pot. These bits are packed with flavor, and scraping them up ensures the pot can heat evenly.
2. Layer the Sauce: Pour about half of your marinara sauce over the broth in the pot. Do not stir! This creates a liquid barrier at the bottom.
3. Add the Chicken: Place a trivet inside the Instant Pot. Carefully arrange the seared chicken breasts on top of the trivet, stacking them in a crisscross pattern if necessary. This keeps the chicken elevated out of the direct liquid, preventing the breading from becoming completely soggy.
4. Top with Remaining Sauce: Pour the rest of the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Again, do not stir.

Step 4: Pressure Cooking to Perfection

1. Seal and Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the steam release valve is set to the Sealing position.
2. Set the Timer: Select the Pressure Cook (or Manual) button and set the timer for 8 minutes on high pressure.
3. Natural Pressure Release (NPR): Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5-10 minutes. This helps keep the chicken tender and juicy. After 5-10 minutes, carefully perform a quick release by moving the steam release valve to the Venting position to release any remaining steam.

Step 5: The Glorious Cheesy Finish

1. Open and Top: Once the pin has dropped, carefully open the lid. The aroma will be incredible! Using tongs, you can either leave the chicken in the pot or transfer it to an oven-safe baking dish for easier browning.
2. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken breasts.
3. Melt and Brown: You have two options for this final, crucial step:

   • Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid/Duo Crisp: If you have one of these models, simply place the air fryer lid on top and select the Air Fry or Broil function. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to get golden brown spots.
   • Oven Broiler: If you transferred the chicken to a baking dish, place it on the top rack of your oven. Set the oven to Broil on high and watch it carefully for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Do not walk away, as the broiler can burn things very quickly!

4. Garnish and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley and serve immediately.