Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken is one of the most delicious and easy-to-make dishes that combines the richness of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and the tangy twist of sundried tomatoes. It’s perfect for busy families or anyone craving a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With this recipe, you’ll make a flavorful dish in less than 30 minutes!

Why Choose Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken?

The Instant Pot has revolutionized cooking by offering a quick and easy way to prepare meals without compromising on flavor or tenderness. In this recipe, the Instant Pot helps you create a tender and juicy chicken dish that’s infused with a savory garlic parmesan sauce. Combined with sundried tomatoes and spinach, it’s a rich and satisfying meal.

Features of This Recipe:

• Quick Preparation: The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes.
• Family-Friendly: It’s a one-pot meal that even picky eaters will love.
• Flavor-Packed: The garlic, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, and spinach create a harmonious blend of flavors.
• Adaptable: You can easily modify the ingredients to suit your preferences.

This dish is not just about convenience; it’s also about indulging in comforting flavors that will leave your taste buds asking for more. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken will become a staple in your weekly meal rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before diving into the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients that make this dish truly special. You’ll need a few staple items, many of which you may already have in your kitchen.

• Sun-dried Tomatoes in Oil: These tomatoes add a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that enhances the richness of the cream sauce. The oil that the tomatoes come in is equally important and adds extra depth to the sauce.

• Butter: For searing the chicken and adding richness to the sauce.

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe. You can also use thighs, but they require different cooking times.

• Garlic: Fresh garlic minced to add that irresistible aroma to your dish.

• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that complements the creamy sauce.

• Chili Flakes (Optional): For a little kick, chili flakes can be added according to your spice preference.

• Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Homemade stock adds an extra layer of flavor, but store-bought will work fine as well.

• Heavy Cream: The key ingredient that makes the sauce rich and creamy.

• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for a smooth, cheesy finish that thickens the sauce.

• Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach adds color and nutrition. You can use regular spinach if needed, but be sure to chop it properly.

The full list of ingredients, including the measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this article.

Why These Ingredients Work Together:

• Sun-dried tomatoes: Offer a zesty contrast to the richness of the cream sauce.

• Garlic and Italian seasoning: Provide a savory base that enhances the flavors of the chicken.

• Heavy cream and parmesan: These combine to create a velvety sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

• Spinach: Adds both color and a mild earthy flavor that balances the richness of the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

1. Searing the Chicken

Start by using the SAUTE function on your Instant Pot. Heat the sun-dried tomato oil and melt the butter in the pot. This combination will give your chicken a beautifully golden-brown crust when you sear it.

• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

• Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Don’t worry about fully cooking the chicken at this point — it will continue cooking under pressure.

2. Adding Flavorful Aromatics

Once the chicken is seared, add minced garlic to the pot and cook it for 30 seconds or until fragrant. This will infuse the oil and butter with a delicious garlic aroma, which is the foundation for the sauce.

3. Deglazing the Pot

Now, it’s time to add the stock. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock to deglaze the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits that may have stuck to the bottom. These caramelized bits are packed with flavor, and scraping them off will enrich your sauce.

• Add the Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using. Stir to combine.

4. Pressure Cooking the Chicken

Once the aromatics are added and the pot is deglazed, it’s time to pressure cook the chicken. Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the vent is set to SEALING.

• Select the PRESSURE COOK (or MANUAL) setting and set the timer for 5 minutes at high pressure.

• If using bone-in chicken thighs, increase the cooking time to 8 minutes.

The Instant Pot will take around 6-7 minutes to come to pressure before the cooking time starts. When the cooking cycle finishes, carefully perform a quick release of the steam.

5. Creating the Creamy Sauce

Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside on a plate. Next, use the SAUTE setting again and stir in the heavy cream along with the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into the cream, creating a smooth, velvety sauce.

6. Adding the Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach

Once the sauce is creamy and well-combined, add the sundried tomatoes and spinach leaves. Stir gently until the spinach wilts into the sauce. This step adds color and texture to the dish, making it even more appealing.

7. Serving the Chicken

Now it’s time to return the chicken to the pot. Place it back into the creamy sauce and spoon the sauce over the chicken.

Serve the Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken over buttered pasta or rice for a complete meal. For extra flavor, garnish with more freshly grated parmesan.

Tips for Making the Perfect Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

While this Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken recipe is simple to follow, there are a few tips and tricks that will elevate your dish even further. These pointers will help ensure that your chicken turns out tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor.

1. Using Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

One of the most flavorful ingredients in this recipe is the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes. Using this oil to sear your chicken imparts a rich, tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. If you don’t have sun-dried tomato oil, you can substitute it with high-quality olive oil, though it may not offer the same depth of flavor.

2. Adjusting the Cooking Time for Chicken Thighs

If you’re using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Pressure cook the thighs for 8 minutes instead of 5 minutes. The bones take longer to cook through, and this adjustment ensures that your chicken is cooked perfectly, juicy, and tender.

If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs, the 5-minute cooking time will work fine, but remember that thighs have slightly more fat, which can make them a bit juicier than breasts.

3. Adding Mushrooms for Extra Flavor

If you’re a fan of mushrooms, they make an excellent addition to this recipe. Simply slice the mushrooms and add them after the garlic, sautéing them for a couple of minutes before adding the stock. Mushrooms absorb the flavors of the sauce, adding an earthy, savory element to the dish.

4. Using Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

For the best sauce consistency and flavor, always use freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated cheese. Pre-grated parmesan often contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect the sauce’s smoothness. Freshly grated parmesan will melt into the cream more smoothly, giving your sauce a velvety texture.

5. Doubling the Cream for Extra Sauce

If you love a lot of creamy sauce, consider doubling the heavy cream and parmesan cheese quantities. This will result in a richer, more decadent sauce that you can generously spoon over the chicken and pasta or rice.

6. Experimenting with Additional Seasonings

Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking. While Italian seasoning provides a nice balance of herbs, you can also try adding rosemary, thyme, or even a touch of lemon zest to brighten the flavors. A dash of white wine (added with the stock) can also bring a subtle complexity to the sauce.

7. Leftovers and Storage

This Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken is even better the next day, making it a great dish for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the dish in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

When reheating, gently warm it on the stove or in the microwave. If the sauce has thickened too much, simply add a splash of chicken stock or heavy cream to loosen it up.

Nutritional Benefits of Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but it also offers some nutritional benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

• Chicken: A lean source of protein that helps build and repair tissues, making it a great choice for a healthy meal.
• Spinach: Rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, spinach adds a nutritional boost to your meal.
• Parmesan Cheese: While it adds richness to the dish, parmesan also contains calcium and protein.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a source of healthy fats, though you can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken:

• Calories: 436 kcal
• Protein: 38g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
• Cholesterol: 172mg
• Sodium: 829mg
• Potassium: 1036mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Vitamin A: 1943 IU
• Vitamin C: 12mg
• Calcium: 164mg
• Iron: 2mg

These numbers are based on serving the dish with chicken breasts and without additional side dishes like pasta or rice.

Recommended Tools for Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

While you can make Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken with standard kitchen tools, having the right equipment can make the process even smoother. Here’s a list of recommended tools to help you prepare this recipe:

1. Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)

An Instant Pot is essential for this recipe. It speeds up the cooking process and ensures your chicken turns out juicy and tender. If you’re new to using an Instant Pot, ensure that you are familiar with the SAUTE and PRESSURE COOK settings. These are the two settings used in this recipe for searing and pressure cooking the chicken.

2. Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons

For precise measurements of ingredients like stock, cream, and seasoning, a set of measuring cups and spoons will come in handy. They ensure you’re using the right quantities for balanced flavor in the sauce.

3. Wooden Spoon

A wooden spoon is great for stirring the sauce and scraping up the flavorful bits that may stick to the bottom of the Instant Pot. It prevents scratching the pot’s inner surface, which can happen with metal utensils.

4. Tongs

Using tongs to handle the chicken makes flipping and removing it from the pot easier. You’ll avoid touching the hot chicken directly, which is especially useful when dealing with hot ingredients.

5. Grater for Fresh Parmesan Cheese

For the smoothest sauce, freshly grated parmesan is a must. A cheese grater will help you achieve the best texture, giving your sauce a creamy and lump-free finish.

Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 lbs (900 grams) chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
• 1 tsp salt (divided)
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves (or chopped spinach)

Instructions:

1. Sear the Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Heat the sun-dried tomato oil and melt the butter. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. Cook Garlic: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
3. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pot, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom. These bits contain flavor that will enrich your sauce.
4. Season: Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chili flakes (optional).
5. Pressure Cook: Return the chicken to the pot. Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the vent to SEALING, and select the PRESSURE COOK setting for 5 minutes (8 minutes for bone-in chicken thighs). Once the cooking time ends, release the steam manually.
6. Make the Creamy Sauce: Remove the chicken, set it aside, and switch the Instant Pot to SAUTE. Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
7. Add Vegetables: Add the chopped sundried tomatoes and spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach wilts and is well incorporated into the sauce.
8. Serve: Return the chicken to the pot, spoon the creamy sauce over it, and serve over pasta or rice with extra grated parmesan if desired.

Notes:

• Sun-dried tomato oil adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish, but olive oil can be used as a substitute.
• Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts; adjust the cooking time to 8 minutes for bone-in thighs.
• Add sliced mushrooms after the garlic and sauté them for a couple of minutes for extra flavor.
• Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be thinner.
• For extra creamy sauce, double the heavy cream and parmesan amounts.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving):

• Calories: 436 kcal
• Protein: 38g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
• Cholesterol: 172mg
• Sodium: 829mg
• Potassium: 1036mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
• Vitamin A: 1943 IU
• Vitamin C: 12mg
• Calcium: 164mg
• Iron: 2mg

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Method: Pressure Cooking (Instant Pot)

Cuisine: Italian-American